Into the Circle with Erica O'Reilly

As Bealtaine fires are lit and her flowers burst into bloom, a story stirs of the coldest day in May, where the wintry presence of an Cailleach once lingered at summer’s threshold. Walk alongside one man seeking the story from the land herself, as he receives wise counsel from unexpected messengers. A mythic Irish tale of Bealtaine that speaks to the hidden voices of nature, while posing the quest...

What if the Sheela-na-Gig at the Hill of Tara could speak? Would she be happy with the tales we’ve told? In this episode, journey to the mythical landscape of Ireland’s Hill of Tara, exploring the intertwined stories of goddess, queen, and the land itself. Through legend, history, and reflection, we consider the many faces of feminine sovereignty — and how the stories we tell today shape our under...

A falling star. A midnight meadow. And a grandmother who knows more than she lets on. Journey with a young girl named Brigid as she discovers the ancient wisdom of the women before her — celestial secrets, sacred waters, and the night myth steps out of story and into her life. Step into the misty heart of Ireland, where the land whispers, rivers carry the names of goddesses, and magic lives in the...

Stand at the ceremonial threshold between seasons — where Samhain meets Imbolc. Journey into the heart of the story, where an Cailleach greets Brigid at the turning of the year. Stillness softens. Darkness lifts. And seeds of becoming begin to stir. Here, the wise woman does not entirely disappear as the light returns. She is invited to walk with us — carrying the bones of what has been, midwifing...

Journey into a winter’s tale where a child’s soft question stirs the magic of an Cailleach , the ancient grandmother spirit of Irish folklore — and the quiet miracles that can mend a grieving heart. In our story, we meet a Little Boy navigating his first Christmas without his mother. Through his eyes, we witness a world filled with both sorrow and wonder — as he holds a single wish for the season:...

In Molly’s Story, journey into a tale that moves between beginnings and endings, held by the ancient ones who dwell betwixt the veils. As Samhain continues, let us look to the North — to the ancestors, an Cailleach , and the quieting Earth — as we’re reminded that death is not an ending, but perhaps immram into a new beginning. Show Links Into the Circle on Substack - Subscribe to receive new epis...

They say trouble finds those who seek it — unfortunately, Thomas O’Malley was just the sort to ignore his grandmother’s warnings. On a chilly November evening, Tommy finally learns why every woman should be met with reverence and respect. For not all who wander after dark are among the living. Continue your journey into our ‘Stories of Samhain’ series with a tale inspired by Dr. Patricia Lysaght’s...

Show Notes The first in our ‘Stories of Samhain’ series, journey with Erica into a reimagining of the Irish folktale ‘The Witch Hare’ - as shared through the magical friendship of Mrs. Murphy & Mrs. O’Sullivan. Inspired by the tale shared in Treasury of Irish Fairy and Folk Tales. Barnes & Noble Inc, 2016. Show Links Into the Circle on Substack - Subscribe to receive episodes and Erica's literary...

Vision of a Selkie Mother: Receiving a Lost Soul Part | S1 Ep1 Journey with Erica to the shores of County Kerry; where, on her final night, she receives a vision of a Selkie Mother and retrieves a long lost soul part. Related Into the Circle Stories or Articles The Calling of the Sea and a Lost Sealskin Show Links Into the Circle on Substack - Subscribe to receive episodes and Erica's literary won...