The Spin of the Brigid's Cross with Natalie O'Shea | S6 Ep41

Take Marisa's Brigid class at Celtic Junction!Marisa will be teaching a three-session online class for Celtic Junction, starting January 28.Register for Brigid & Expressions of the Irish Divine FeminineIn this episode:As part of our Myth Workers and Culture Makers series, we sit down with Natalie O'Shea, founder and Executive Director of Celtic Junction Arts Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. We explore the Brigid's Cross as a living symbol and community touchstone.This Imbolc-season conversation weaves together the power of place, the preservation of language and tradition, and the resonance between Irish and indigenous wisdom on Dakota land.Our GuestIn addition to being founder and Executive Director of the Celtic Junction Arts Center of Minnesota, Natalie is an officer of Ireland Network Minnesota, and a member of National Irish Cultural Centers of North America (NICCoNA), representing her region nationally and internationally. She is an actor, speaker, and writer/ director of three annual productions with an international resume of theater work. Natalie’s honors include being named an Advisory Editor for University of St. Thomas’s New Hibernia Review and one of the Irish Echo’s “Arts & Culture Heroes” in 2020, as a “Rebuilder of Irish America” in 2021 and 2022, and honored as an Ambassador of Irish Culture in 2025. She toured the world for three and a half years with Riverdance, The Show where she met her Dubliner husband Cormac Ó Sé before moving to Ireland and, eventually, back to Minnesota.Find out more about what's happening at celticjunction.org and on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and LinkedInOur Conversation:We recorded this session on January 7, the day Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. As a community organization, Celtic Junction is doing what they can to support the people of the Twin Cities in this difficult time.The Brigid's Cross as living symbol offering us the four directions, a sense perpetual movement, and the ritual of annual renewalBuilding Irish cultural community in Minnesota on Dakota landLanguage, place, and the intersection of Irish and Indigenous wisdomThe divine feminine as goddess, saint, and living presenceKeeping tradition alive without holding it too tightlyThe old hymn to Brigid quoted at the start of the episode:Gabhaim molta Bhríde,Ionmhain le hÉirinn;Ionmhain le gach tir í,Molaimis go léir í.I proclaim the praises of Brigid;she is dear to Ireland;she is dear to every country;let us all join in her praises.Please Support Our Show: Join us on SubstackLove KnotWork Storytelling? Your financial contribution helps me pay the amazing team that puts this show together.Subscribe to our newsletter Myth Is Medicine. Words Are MagicWork With Marisa1:1 Writing Coaching: If you are working on a spiritual memoir or wellness professional or a creative entrepreneur who wants to use stories to build your business, book a free consultation with Marisa. Learn more at writingcoachmarisa.comLearn about group writing opportunities: www.marisagoudy.com/writing-groupsFind more of Marisa's writing and get a copy of her book, The Sovereignty Knot: www.marisagoudy.comFollow the show on Substack, Instagram, and Facebook.Music at the start of the show is by Beth Sweeney and Billy Hardy: billyandbeth.com