About
Free: Saturday, January 31st, 6pm EST/3pm PST Druid Monsters and Demons invites you into the liminal world where ancient Celtic belief, landscape, and imagination meet—where sacred groves, standing stones, and mist-shrouded bogs are inhabited by powerful beings. We’ll trace the origins and roles of entities often associated with druidic tradition: the Aos Sí or sidhe (fairy people), the shapeshifting púca, the mournful bean sí (banshee), the headless dullahan, water-horses like the each-uisge/kelpie, and larger mythic foes such as the Fomorian Balor and the war-goddess figures like the Morrígan. Rather than simple “monsters” or “demons,” these figures functioned as boundary-keepers, embodiments of natural forces, and moral reminders—complex presences that were sometimes dangerous, sometimes protective, and frequently misunderstood, especially after Christianization recast many native spirits as demonic. In this 1.5-hour Outreach class we’ll look at early sources, folklore, and archaeological context to separate older druidic cosmology from later demonizing layers, and explore how these beings show up in cryptozoology, psychic lore, and contemporary spirit-work. Expect storytelling, comparative myth discussion, and practical, culturally respectful approaches to working with or protecting yourself from intense or unsettling energies (symbolic safeguards, respectful offerings, and boundary-setting rather than harmful instructions). Whether you’re curious about the origins of famous cryptids from Celtic lands or want a deeper, nuanced understanding of how “monsters” reflect human relationships with wild places, this session will blend history, myth, and experiential reflection.
