19 Flames for Brighid
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This prayer litany was written by Lunaea Weatherstone in her book "Tending Brigid's Flame" and we are truly thankful for her permission to share her work here, on our website.
Flame 1: Welcome Brigid of brightness, I bid thee welcome, Brigid of blessing, come thou in. Brigid of strength, I bid thee welcome, This night and every night, this day and ever day. Flame 2: Hearth and Household Brigid of the threshold, come thou in, Brigid of the hearthfire, take your ease, Brigid of the cook pot, sup with us, Brigid of all comforts, live in our hearts. Flame 3: Ancestors Ancestors all, I embody your legacy, Ancestors all, I ask for your blessing, Ancestors all, I offer Brigid's flame To light the needfires of deep memory. |
Artwork by Wendy Andrew
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Flame 4: Flamekeepers
Brigid of the timeless flame, bless your daughters; Those who keep the circle bright, Those whose faith has never failed, Those who keep your name ablaze. Flame 5: Healing Brigid of the holy waters, Brigid of the soothing hand, Brigid of the miracles, Touch me with healing. Flame 6: Poetry Brigid of lore, deepen my understanding, Brigid of bards, increase my eloquence, Brigid of poetry, lead me to beauty: Beauty of word and beauty of thought. Flame 7: Courage Brigid of the golden shield, Brigid of courage, Brigid of the sunbeam, Increase thou my trust. Flame 8: Righteous Causes Brigid, lend your righteous sword To those who work for justice, To those who speak the truth, To those who seek a better world. Flame 9: The Oppressed In the name of Brigid, who empowers the oppressed, In the name of Brigid, who releases the enslaved, In the name of Brigid, who lifts up the downtrodden, May all her people be honored and free. Flame 10: Children Brigid the midwife, bless every birth, Brigid foster mother, protect every child, Brigid of springtime, bestow on each childhood The innocence of wonder and the magic of joy. Flame 11: Women's Causes Mighty Brigid, your keening women call to you: Strengthen our voice, Strengthen our resolve, Strengthen our sisterhood. |
Flame 12: The Earth
Brigid, preserve this planet, The stones and the seas and the skies. Brigid, spread your green mantle For the greening of the earth. Flame 13: Animals Brigid, protect the earth's animals, The fish and the beasts and the birds. Brigid, shelter your creatures As your sheep shelter lambs from the wind. Flame 14: Water Brigid of the clear dewdrop, Brigid of the pure wellspring, Brigid of the pool of knowledge, Teach us to honor the gift of water. Flame 15: Creativity Bright Brigid, flame of creation, Kindle my enthusiasm, Fire up my passion, Ignite my imagination. Flame 16: Nourishment Brigid of the overflowing milk, Brigid of the good brown loaf, Brigid of the endless butter, May all beings be nourished. Flame 17: Peace Peace of the swan and peace of the kine, Peace of the hearth and peace of the open door, Peace between neighbors and peace between nations, The deep peace of Brigid within. Flame 18: Gratefulness Brigid, I thank thee three-times-three: For my birth, my body, my spirit, For my kin, my clan, my tribe, For my home, my work, my knowledge of thee. Flame 19: The Three Flames of Brigid May the hearthfire of welcome warm me, May the temple fire of faith sustain me, May the forge fire of change strengthen me, And Brigid's love encompass me, now and ever more. |
Artwork by Christopher Santer
"Ever wonder why Brighid had 19 priestesses/nuns tending her eternal fire?
It's to do with the Celtic Long Year which is 19 years long. This is connected with the metonic cycle. The Celtic long year starts when there is a new moon during the winter solstice. This year 2022 the winter solstice (or Grianstad an Geimhridh, which literally means sun standing still in winter) which last from 19th to the 24th of December. On the 23d of December it is new moon!! It's going to take another 19 years before that happens again!!"
(Big thanks to our member Stephen for providing us with this intriguing information.)
We found this so fascinating that we decided to investigate even further. Unfortuately there really isn't much out there written about this. The only thing we were able to find was very much the similar to what Stephen wrote above.
The number 19 was sacred to Brigid because, according to the Irish Text "The Book of Dunn Cow," it represents the 19-year cycle of the Great Celtic Year and the time it takes for the new moon to coincide with the Winter Solstice from one cycle to another.
Sources: Mythical Ireland and Mimosa Spirit
*We very much loved being able to include this little tidbit on our website. Please know we welcome any information you may find like this, that has not yet been included on our website. It is our goal here at Ord Brighideach to have website that provides the public with as much information on our Beloved Brighid as possible.
