Brigit: From Goddess to Saint via the Patriarchy

Happy – and historic – St Brigit*’s Day: Today marks the first time an Irish national holiday is established in honor of a female saint. Why is this important? Establishing a national holiday in Brigit’s name is a recognition of the feminine. Today’s world is run as a patriarchy, or as the late bell hooks …
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Big Picture Thinking and Wellness

Deirdre Lane, CEO of Shamrock Spring and Ambassador of The Circular Economy Institute, chats with Tom at the inaugural Lisnavagh Wellness Festival. Astraea supported the inaugural Wellness Festival at Lisnavagh. Pam offered a yoga practice session to a packed Garden Wing – there must have been nearly 50 people in there with more looking in …
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Carrots and Conviviality – in conversation with Carmel Duffy

Carmel Duffy is a pioneer of system change. For over four decades she has chosen to live more lightly and thoughtfully. It was a great pleasure and honour to spend a morning hearing her story which is shared here. Enjoy! Many thanks to Carmel, Pete, Tom and Ben for their warm hospitality and generous welcome. …
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Coming of Age

People, Organisations, Countries, the World. An exposition of progressive thinking for positive change.8 December 2020, 1600 GMT Astraea turns 21 on 8 December 2020. For many the 21st birthday is the threshold between childhood and adulthood, between innocence and maturity. Whatever age or ceremony marks “growing up”, people from all over the world follow a …
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Finding and Following the Red Thread of Fate

In conversation with Leiko Uchiyama, Master Felter Please enjoy the experience and perspectives of Leiko Uchimaya who has generously shared them in this conversation. Meeting Ms Uchiyama for the first time, we were welcomed in to her felt workshop, an old farm shed in the foothills of Mount Leinster, where we quickly set up the …
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Oisin’s Journey to Grand Design

Singer/songwriter Oisin O’Neill chats with astraea about how he came to create Grand Design, released on 25 May.Check out Grand Design on oisinoneill.bandcamp.com We observe the strange coincidence that Grand Design was released on 25 May, the day celebrated by some for “The Glorious Revolution” of truth – a fictional event, and now also to …
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We are mad as hell. Will we remain charred and broken or will we rise from the ashes?

The anger held back for years has been released by the murder of George Floyd in broad daylight, on camera. It has been growing for years. Black people are right to voice their frustration and anger at the encouraging role of the government in oppressing minorities. Everyone is angry, everyone is afraid. When the institution …
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