Reflections on Activism

We attended a protest outside the Irish Parliament to object to the deal that Coillte, a State company, made with a UK venture capital company. In this Big Picture Conversation, we reflect on why we went to the gathering and whether activism works.

Happy St Brigid’s Bank Holiday

Happy St Brigid’s Bank Holiday. It is a great step to establish a holiday to honour Ireland’s matron saint. This is a meaningful day in its recognition of the feminine; an embracing of the qualities of compassion, nature, nurture, inclusion and collaboration that are so urgently needed in the world today; with Brigid’s fire to …
Continue reading Happy St Brigid’s Bank Holiday

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 …
Continue reading Brigit: From Goddess to Saint via the Patriarchy

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 …
Continue reading Big Picture Thinking and Wellness

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. …
Continue reading Carrots and Conviviality – in conversation with Carmel Duffy

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 …
Continue reading Coming of Age

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 …
Continue reading Finding and Following the Red Thread of Fate