Thursday, December 30, 2021

Plans for Féile Bríde 2022 – January 31st to February 6th – at Solas Bhríde

 


Féile Bríde 2022 – January 31st to February 6th

Our collaboration with Kildare Town Library, Kildare Heritage Centre, Fáilte Kildare and others promises a full and enriching programme of events for Féile Bríde 2022. We are planning to host a candlelight pilgrimage to St. Brigid’s Well on 31st January.  Plans are also afoot for a Guided Walk on the Curragh Plains, and the delivery of in-person and online workshops on the Traditions and Customs associated with Brigid, Annual Celtic Lecture, Musical and Cultural events and much more.

Keep an eye on our website as details for each event unfold.



Image: from Solas Bhríde newsletter, 24 December 2021.

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Winter Solstice Greetings

 

 
Blessings of the darkness and the light
on this solstice day and night!



Image of an older white woman, holding a book and smiling. There are drawings of holly around the image and the words: Brigit's blessings on you and yours; Blessings of the darkness and the light; and: Warmest greetings from Mael Brigde, author of A Brigit of Ireland Devotional - Sun Among Stars.

Sunday, December 12, 2021

Help Keep Brigid's Way Celtic Pilgrimage Alive


 

Well, I completely missed this one. From their Facebook Page: 

 "The Brigid's Way volunteer firekeepers need your help. We have a few projects underway to make the route more accessible at all times. Can you help keep Brigid's Way Celtic Pilgrimage alive by adding a donation to the pot? Could you be a 'Weaver of the Way'?"

What is Brigid's Way, you ask?

"The Brigid's Way Pilgrimage follows the ancient path of Brigid, Goddess and Celtic Christian saint from Faughart, Louth via the Hill of Slane, the Hill of Tara, Donadea Forest Park and along the Grand Canal to her monastic city in Kildare. 

"This 9 day walking pilgrimage winds its way through many sacred places and magical landscapes from Brigid's Well and Shrine in Faughart, County Louth to Brigid's monastic city in County Kildare. For details of the next full 9 day Pilgrimage go to www.brigidsway.ie 


"We have some great ideas up our sleeves about how to make the Brigid’s Way pilgrimage accessible to everyone to complete anytime of the year.

"To get these ideas off the ground we need your help so we a kindly asking you to donate a few bob for Brigid."


You may find more info at their linktree

And here is their PayPal account link.


All images: from Brigid's Way.

 


 





Looking Back 2013 – Solas Bhride enters House of Records


 Solas Bhride is celebrating its entry into the Guinness Book of World Records. On 21 September 2013 they invited locals, tourists, and pilgrims into Saint Brigid's Church in Kildare for a mass weaving of Saint Brigid's crosses. The result: 357 crosses! The reason?

"... St Brigid’s Cross is a universally recognized symbol and the weaving of a St Brigid’s cross is an ancient Irish custom. Its origin may have begun as a pre-Christian symbol, was then assimilated into Christianity and has resonance with other cross types in many cultures around the world. It was thought that setting a World Record would further enhance the continuity of this custom of weaving the St Brigid’s Cross."

For the full article, click here.



Image: from Solas Bhride.

Saturday, December 04, 2021

Taking It In — A Brigit of Ireland Devotional

 

I was just reading about the upcoming anthology Brigid's Light: Tending the 

Ancestral Flame of the Beloved Celtic Goddess, edited by Cairelle Crow and 

Laura Louella, on Amazon when I noticed that below it my own book was 

flagged and that it had 12 reviews. I was curious to see what people had said 

so I went over and read them. 

 

As you know I have worked on this book for many years and for most of that 

time I was sceptical that it would ever be in anyone’s hands but my own. That 

was OK. I really wanted to write those poems and to write those essays. I 

wanted to get a little bit closer to Brigit, to spend time with her, to feel what I 

feel about her and clarify what I think about her and check my assumptions 

and just do that work. That would have been enough.

 

 But I also really wanted to share that experience with other people, the

experience of deeply contemplating her, of growing closer, of learning more. 

So I was deeply happy when Moon Books decided to publish A Brigit of Ireland 

Devotional - Sun Among Stars. And even so, I didn’t know if it would ever 

mean as much to anyone else as it did to me.

 

 So I am extremely grateful to read these reviews and hear that these people are 

deeply affected, that it is useful in their practice in the ways that I had hoped it 

would be. I want to share a couple of reviews, one short, one medium, and one 

a little longer, with you today. To be honest, it isn’t easy for me to take this in. 

Someone can say something wonderful about my book and in the moment I feel 

it, but then after a while I’m back to wondering again. Can it stand on its own two 

feet? Will it continue to have meaning now that the huge effort is done? (And now 

and then, "Is it good poetry?") I am very glad these are written down and I can 

read them again and go, ah, yes. This is real.

 

Chris L.

5.0 out of 5 stars A poetic journey with Brigid

Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2021

This book is by turns sweet, poignant, and raw. It is invaluable in my 

own work with Brigid, and I’ve already used it to deepen my spiritual 

practice. The poems/prayers/devotions resonate with my life, and I 

look forward to using it for days and years to come.


and 

GerCelt
5.0 out of 5 stars A collection of beautiful Devotional writing
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 28, 2021

Brigit (Bridget) both as a Goddess and subsequently a saint, is 

one of the most important figures in Irish spirituality. The author 

Mael Bridge has taught Brigit centric devotion and now with this 

book, provides a lovely collection of devotional poems, 

commentary and resources for further study as well as groups 

dedicated to Brigit.

As a poet, it is the poetry itself that interests me. These are 

serious, well written pieces, referencing and echoing the old 

Irish literature and poet8c forms on which they're based. There 

are some unique and fresh perspectives and ingenious use of 

imagery. Each provides a thoughtful starting point for individual 

contemplation but as a lover of poetry, they can be read as 

interesting and evocative poems in their own right.

I have the ebook version but will get the paperback too; I think 

most people purchasing for use as a devotional tool will enjoy 

a paper version, to read and take note of.

 

and

Patricia Cotter-Busbee

Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2021

I set aside a weekend to carefully read this lovely book of poetry 

and I immediately realized it would take a lifetime to unravel all 

the beauty, mysteries, layered stories, insights and gems within 

this stunning work of art. It is medicine for the soul. This writing 

is an invitation by the author to experience the expansive 

landscape that she has walked. This collection of poetry reminded 

me of Brigit’s cloak and how far-reaching it is. This work beautifully 

highlights the author’s deep personal connection to Brigit and the 

fact that she is gifted in the art of poetry and the art of devotion. 

The poems are brilliantly crafted, and are a wellspring of knowledge, 

insight, devotion and inspiration. Each poem flows beautifully into 

the next, offering the reader the opportunity to expand their 

understanding of Brigit. The moment I started reading I could almost 

see the mists parting as I was transported to another time and place. 

I loved the entire collection, but two very different poems stood out 

to me. The first was “The Pig Addresses Brigit.” I knew that Brigit had 

a strong connection to animals but having the pig address Brigit was 

a powerful shift in perspective that caused me to consider the animals 

she is connected to. I imagined Brigit with her deep listening abilities 

standing quietly before the pig as he petitioned Her about how he 

wanted to end his days in peace. I was surprised by the compassion 

that flooded my heart when I read this poem and how it reminded me 

of how much it would benefit us if we paid closer attention to our 

environment and who and what inhabits it. I am grateful for this poetic 

reminder. Another poem that resonated on a deep level was “Brigit 

and the Madman.” What spoke to me was how she sought him out, 

brought him ale and butter and begged to hear the wisdom of his 

unsettled mind. I thought about the exchange between them and how 

Brigit calmed him, so that he could speak his truths and wisdom that 

resided deep within under the layers of madness. This brought tears. 

How many of us feel unheard? What would our world look like, if we 

listened more—especially to those that do not have a voice, including 

our beloved animals? I also enjoyed reading about Brigit and her sisters. 

Her sisters have fascinated me ever since I learned about Brigit. Who 

are they? I gobbled up every mention of them. It compelled me to want 

to do some research in this area. I loved seeing them mentioned and 

represented throughout this collection. I found the energy within these 

poems to be transformative. They possess the ability to assist with 

shifting consciousness. There are very different forms of wisdom 

embedded in the poetry. My experience with reading this book was 

that pathways were created, offering me the opportunity to continue 

my studies. This collection of beautiful poetry is one I will revisit often. 

These poems support a direct engagement with the Divine and they 

each have a powerful energy that can be felt when you connect with 

this beautiful work that honors Brigit in her various aspects.

 

Many thanks to everyone who has supported the writing and publishing of this book my book and to those for whom it has a real purpose. May Brigit bless you all. 



Some links to order here.