Brighid of the mantle, encompass us; Lady of the lambs, protect us; Keeper of the hearth, kindle us; Beneath your mantle, gather us; And restore us to memory. ~ Caitlín Matthews, A Blessing for Hearth Keepers The ancient celebration of Brighid, Imbolc, or Candlemas, as some may call it, falls around Feb. 1 and 2, … Read more
Blessed Woman, come to me Woman of the Fires, Woman of Poetry Blessed Woman, come to me Woman of healing, Woman of skillful means. ~ Song to Brighid, from the Alexander Carmichael Carmina Gadelica as arranged by Lisa Thiel Today we celebrate the beautiful gifts of the saint and Divine One, Brighid. For many, many … Read more
Once again, as I have for all but the very first year or two, I am joining in the Poetry for Brigid Festival. This is an annual world-wide event in honor of the Patron Saint of Ireland and Goddess of healing, smithcraft, and poetry (to name a few of Her purviews). It is held throughout … Read more
Brighde by Stuart Littlejohn Fire in the forge that shapes and tempers. Fire of the hearth that nourishes and heals. Fire in the head that incites and inspires. ~ The Ord Brighideach (Three-Fold Fire of Brighid) Rejoice, my dear ones! Today is the feast day of St. Brigid who is also Brigid, a beloved Goddess … Read more
Once again, as I have for many years, I am joining in the Poetry for Brigid Festival. This is an annual world-wide event in honor of the Patron Saint of Ireland and Goddess of healing, smithcraft, and poetry (to name a few of Her purviews). It is held throughout Imbolc, since Her traditional feast day … Read more
I was going to give thanks today to all the veterans, especially my Dad the colonel. And I absolutely am grateful for their sacrifice and dedication. But, alas, I am posting something else today instead. THINGS TO BELIEVE IN from grace of ancient land, by Patricia Monaghan trees, in general; oaks, especially; burr oaks that survive … Read more
Fire in the forge that shapes and tempers. Fire of the hearth that nourishes and heals. Fire in the head that incites and inspires. ~ The Three-Fold Fire of Brighid, Ord Brighideach Continuing the discussion of Brigid begun last week, even after the Roman Catholic Church banned all Pagan ways, She was so firmly and … Read more
For the last five or six years (I am losing track), I have joined the global poetry slam in honor of Brigid, Goddess of Poetry, Healing, and Art. The slam includes, not only poetry praises to our beloved Goddess, but offerings of poetry of all kinds. As it happens, just yesterday, Poland’s Nobel Laureate Poet, … Read more
A silver apple falls. There, amongst the branches, the mother sits. Weaver of dreams against the weft of the wood, Insight falls like gentle rain on a moon-bathed garden. – Song to Hecate, by Alison Jones Now we make ready for the great festival of Imbolc, sometimes called Candlemas or Brigid. In many places, the … Read more