The word tairis (pronounced 'Tah-rish') is given to mean 'the dairymaid's cry to calm an unruly cow at milking' in Macbain's dictionary, with secondary meanings of 'loving' or 'kind'. Going back to Old Irish, it means 'loyal'. Aside from my love of cows, and the fact that such a word ever existed to express such a thing tickles me (even if Macbain's primary definition might be more than a little suspect), the Old Irish root of 'loyal' is a good one. It brings to mind 'constant', and that's what I strive to be, even on an ever-evolving path.
I began blogging and writing Celtic Reconstructionist-oriented articles back in 2006, although I formally began to pursue a CR path in 2004. In 2008 I finally set up my own dedicated website to host my articles. Since then, the Tairis website has grown and evolved, and so have my practices.
As the CR label has become weighed down with such misunderstandings and misconceptions over the years, I've begun using the term 'Gaelic Polytheist' to define and describe myself first and foremost, and to me it's a label that particularly describes a more culturally and methodologically conservative approach. Gaelic Polytheism can mean different things to people, and one Gaelic Polytheist is not necessarily just like another. Not all Gaelic Polytheists consider themselves to be reconstructionists, but I most definitely do.
As a member of Gaol Naofa, Fálachus is a term that also fits, though as yet it's perhaps less widely known or recognised in the wider community. I am currently serving as Leas-Uachtarán (Vice President) of Gaol Naofa, which I also contribute articles for occasionally, often in collaboration with other Gaol Noafa members. I also serve as a council member of CAORANN - Celts Against Oppression, Racism, and Neo-Nazism with a group of fellow Celtic Reconstructionists and allies.
My aim with this blog is to share the things I find and learn, and also share the things I do and occasionally think. And yes, this often involves me rambling on, but occasionally I include the odd purty picture too...And book reviews.
You can also find me at my new blog Tairis Tales, which is intended to host all of the excerpts of lore, tales, myths, and more...
