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