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Brighde’s Blessing - An Imbolc Celebration For WomenBridget, Bride or Brighde (‘the bright or exalted one’) is the pre-Christian Goddess of healing, augury, inspiration, smithcraft, spinning and weaving, as well as being associated with wells and midwifery! Celtic communities would welcome her into their homes at Imbolc, (one of the four Celtic fire festivals), throwing wide their doors. Her spirit cleansed the house and a special doll called a Brideog was made to represent her and laid in a wicker bed on the newly swept hearth. Brighde breathes life into the mouth of dead winter and traditionally it is her wand which regenerates the forces of nature. This is a time to forge the future, and protect your hopes and visions for the new year.
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In Celtic mythology the old hag of winter, the Cailleach drinks from the well of youth and is transformed into the fair young maiden Bride.
Together we will open to this feminine mystery inviting the spirit of Bride and the Cailleach to help us do some psychic spring cleaning, clearing away the dead wood so the tender shoots can grow unhampered. Entering into these mysteries gives us an opportunity to connect body, soul and spirit with our deep feminine essence. It will help us to begin and sustain a healing journey. The priestesses of Brighde lived in Kildare, Ireland and they kept her sacred flame alight through the centuries. We too will light a sacred flame connecting and re-membering this connection through:
From ‘The Blessing for Hearth-Keepers’:
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.
Mothers of our mother,
Foremothers strong,
Guide our hands in yours,
Remind us how
To kindle the hearth,
Together we will open to this feminine mystery inviting the spirit of Bride and the Cailleach to help us do some psychic spring cleaning, clearing away the dead wood so the tender shoots can grow unhampered. Entering into these mysteries gives us an opportunity to connect body, soul and spirit with our deep feminine essence. It will help us to begin and sustain a healing journey. The priestesses of Brighde lived in Kildare, Ireland and they kept her sacred flame alight through the centuries. We too will light a sacred flame connecting and re-membering this connection through:
- Ritual enactment
- Story
- Visualisation
- Art and craft
- Movement
- Poetry
- Song
- Working with an inner process
From ‘The Blessing for Hearth-Keepers’:
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.
Mothers of our mother,
Foremothers strong,
Guide our hands in yours,
Remind us how
To kindle the hearth,
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To keep it bright,
To preserve the flame. Your hands upon ours, Our hands within yours, To kindle the light, Both day and night. From The Little Book of Celtic Blessings by Caitlin Matthews Back to Workshop Programme |
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