Keening & Grief

Embracing Brighid through the depths of grief.

Many often overlook the potential of working with Brighid regarding grief.  After all, she is often associated with new beginnings, birth, life, light and creation.   However, it was in the midst of my own deepest sorrow that I found solace in working with her.

Years ago, I felt consumed with grief. I mourned for the son I had lost at birth, grieved over the recent hysterectomy I underwent, felt sorrowful realizing that I could never give a sibling to my second son, which both he and I yearned for, and was heartbroken that the life I had envisioned, I never was able to experience. It was during this time that I discovered Brighid's own story of losing her son (story posted below), and I knew she was the deity I needed to guide me through my pain.

Little did I realize the profound impact Brighid would have on my life.  Through her presence and support, I found healing and a newfound sense of purpose. Working with Brighid in the depths of my grief was a transformative experience that ultimately led to a greater understanding of my own path and the journey towards healing.

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Brighid loses her son, Ruadan.

It is the Goddess Brighid who brought keening to the world. In the Battle of Moytura, Brighid appears as the wife of Bres of the Formarians, the mythical Irish invaders and enemies of the people of the Goddess Danu. The position Brighid plays as married to a Formarian see’s her acting as an intermediary between the two opposing sides who are fighting for control over Ireland. Her son, Ruadan, was given help by the people of the Goddess Danu, his maternal kin, who taught him how to make weapons. Yet he acts on behalf of his paternal side, the Formarians and wounds the sacred Smith (blacksmith) of the People of the Goddess Danu. He only wounds the smith who has enough strength left to retaliate and kills Ruadan. Brighid then begins to mourn her son and it is said that through her grief was the first time crying or wailing were ever heard in Ireland (Condren 1989, pg. 61).

What is Keening?

Keening is an intense mournful wailing after a death. It is a traditional form of vocal lament and mourning for the dead in the Gaelic Celtic tradition, a ritual performed in Irish or Scots Gaelic at the wake or at the graveside. The work keening comes from the Gaelic word Caoineadh - Kwyeen - ift - to cry, to weep.

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A cross decorated with rosary beads at St. Brigid's Well in Co. Kildare.

Keening doesn't always have to involve piercing screams or loud cries. It can also be a gentle whimper or anything in between. The essence of keening lies in delving deep into your emotions and allowing your body to release those feelings.

When faced with immense sorrow and grief, another way to connect with Brighid is by tapping into her creative spark. By igniting your own creativity, you can find a way to express your emotions in a tangible form. Personally, I discovered inner peace by creating memorial dolls to honor my son's memory. The act of crafting these dolls brought a healing that words cannot express. However, it doesn't have to be something you share with others. You may find solace in writing a story or poem about your grief or the person you've lost. Alternatively, you could create a picture collage, shadow box, painting, or drawing. By channeling your deep emotions into an artistic creation, you too may discover the same sense of peace that I did.