When the familiar strategies stop working and the new ones haven’t arrived yet, it can feel like nothing is happening — or like something has gone wrong. Often, this is where the real work begins.

Foundations of Gàidhlig is a term-based learning circle for returning and near-beginners who want to learn Scottish Gaelic through relationship, shared practice, and continuity — not performance or pressure.

Rather than introducing “new offerings,” this post shares how my work has settled more deeply into its foundations — and the forms it’s taking as the year turns.

As the year turns, I’ve been reflecting less on accomplishments and more on where and how I am standing. This post shares a few ways this season of change has quietly shaped my practice and my work with others.

I’ve seen an increasing need for safe, grounded guidance as individuals explore Animist and Traditional spiritual practices - including rituals, rites of passage and ceremony - including medicine work.

This program will focus on equipping participants with essential skills to navigate these explorations safely and intentionally—like learning to sail before heading into open waters.

I wanted to share some personal news with you, and a bit of the story that lead to this change.

If you’ve shared any correspondence with me lately, you may have noticed that I’m using a new personal name.

Thank you for supporting Monarch Trancework in 2024 - Here’s a reflection on the past year, and a glimpse of the year ahead!

Grian-stad – the stopping of the sun, or Solstice has now passed, and so I wanted to follow up and share how I spent the time I set aside to observe this cosmic time of alignment.

There is nothing that expends more energy in a fruitless way than to get into an argument, and only much later... after a lot of exertion... discover that you are actually in agreement on the fundamentals, and have been arguing the subjective use of language the whole time...

I’ve been embracing the language and culture of my ancestors, and it would be difficult to do this in a sincere way without becoming aware of the priority of connection with – and experiential awareness of - the Earth, the sun, the moon, and the cosmos that saturates the language and culture.

Stepping into a commitment to actually do it... has led to some deep realizations... and some that I didn’t expect.