Ord Brighideach International

Imbolc Chant: Warming, Stirring, Brightened

The air feels cold yet it will grow warm,
The air feels cold yet it will grow warm,
Warming in the belly of maid and ewe alike.
The earth seems quiet yet she’s stirring,
The earth seems quiet yet she’s stirring,
Stirring in the hearts of all her children.
The days appear dark yet they have brightened,
The days appear dark yet they have brightened,
Brightened in the mind by Brighid’s blessed flame.

My first tending shift

My first shift was amazing. I prepared the candle with essence of hawthorne in honour of my cill, and placed in a dish of water for safety and in honour of the sacred wells and spings linked with Brighid. Then with baited breath I struck the match and lit the candle and in that moment I could feel Bright, Beautiful Brighid with me. The flame danced and spiralled, I had clear forgotten how beautiful fire is! I was struck by the presence of my own inner flame, something I’ve not been too aware of before and Brighid chided me to take much more care of it, to shine like a beacon for Her in this world. I spoke the words of my oath and swore myself to Brighid as her Priestess, deepening an earlier vow and a deep sense of calm washed over me. I wanted to weep with joy, a sense of belonging and other emotions that I can not even put a name to. The whole room felt warm, fuzzy and enveloped in Brighid’s mantle. Even now there is inner calm in my soul, though my head is fired up with creativity and ideas. During my meditations I kept encountering the words pray, plan, prepare, pilgrimage and places of power. Accordingly I am now planning a pilgrimage to sacred sites and places of power associated with Brighid. I also felt inspired to get creative and made myself a bracelet in firey coloured crystal beads with celtic knot beads to wear when tending and as a reminder of my oath.

I feel as though my eyes, mind, heart and soul have been opened, cleansed and filled with a new found warmth, that burning flame of Brighid. The weather today was meant to be awful, but instead it was a bright sunny day and full of the radiant light and warmth of dear Brighid. I feel so blessed to have tended her flame today, to have spent time with Brighid, to be a part of the hawthorne cill and to be a part of this Ord, so thank you, all of you.

Bright Brighid Blessings!

Ceri

Caim-The Mantle of Brighid

"May the power of Brighid protect you . May the love of Brighid enfold you . May the encircling of Brighid comfort you , bring peace and security to all which you hold dear ." ... ( These words came to me full blown on Imbolc morning of 1998. I would like to share them with the Ord Brighideach community . Blessings to all! Aisling Kelledia

An Imbolc Poem

I walk
wrapped in your mantle

green as leaf on tree

newly blown

on the wind

Hands still, I walk

silent and serene

in the knowledge

that I walk alone

and never lonely

Light is reaching out over the hill

I take your hand

and walk into the dawn

that lights the grass

and never burns

Bride, lady of my night

lady of my morn

Rise ever and walk ever onward

blessing us with your grace.

Caim na Brighid (Caim=Compassing)

by Coyote Brid's Flame (C.G. Standish)
Sept. 2005

Be the Caim na Brighid about me
Be the Mantle of Gentle Brighid about me
Be the Shield of Mighty Brighid about me
Be the Fiery Sword of Brighid about me

Let no Fire burn,
by Sun, by Moon, by Flame
Let no Water drown,
by Wave, by River, by Lake
Let no Air choke,
by Smoke, by Gas, by Smog
Let no Earth crush,
by Sand, by Iron, by Rock

Let no Sword cut, no Arrow pierce,
no Lance wound,
Let no Spirit curse, no Envy harm,
no Malice doom,
Let no Tooth render, no Claw tear,
no Tongue lash,
Hear me now, O Flame Without Ash!
Hear me now and let it be so!

Goddess of Initiation : A Dream

Goddess of Initiation : A Dream
December 2007

She came in dream
With chestnut hair lit by fire
Surrounding eyes of green.
A smile of warmth
A laugh, a pause ~
And then…a question rode the air :
“What troubles thee? What do ye seek?
Look deeply at me childe
For second sight I have the right
And I have traveled wilde.

WFU professor says Celtic Christianity is unique religion

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, the legend will be retold of how the Christian missionary Patrick banished all the snakes from Ireland. However, zoologists say there never were snakes in Ireland, and historians suggest that the snakes refer instead to the druids, who had their own non-Christian religion. Over time the Christian church incorporated elements of the druids’ traditions into its own religious practices in Ireland.

A Geeky Candle Alternative

Hello to you all, and nineteen blessings!

I am a geek. It's sad, but oh-so-true. I know basic programming keys and my basement has far more out of date and obscure computers then any basement has a right to.

Hearthfire song

From my hearth, to this hearth,
I carry the flame
From this hearth, to your hearth,
the flame is the same
It's the central fire,
connecting us all
In my heart, and your heart,
we tend to the flame
of the hearth.

Background: This is a song that I sing at every high day ritual. I carry a hearth candle from home to light the ritual fire. Participants have an opportunity to take a candle home that was lit from the hearthfire.

SAD LULLABY

I HEARD THE CROW CRY
WHEN THE MOON WAS NOT IN THE SKY