Orlagh's Blog - Brigid's Forge

For those of you not aware of it, Orlagh Costello, founder of the Facebook group, Brigid's Forge, also has a blog of the same name (subtitled: Fiction and research about Brigid, Irish deity, saint, and so much more). In it she writes clear, insightful posts, in which she draws on her experience as an Irish woman, and a devotee of Brigit. Her teachings are accessible and very human. They can aid us not only in our devotional practice, but simply as humans seeking to live well in an often troubling world.

About her blog, Orlagh writes:

Brigid’s Forge is a place for me to blog about Brigid, Irish deity, saint, nun, ollamh, and much, much more. Being Irish, I’ve grown up with stories about Brigid, practices about Brigid, superstitions about Brigid my whole life. Our landscape here in Ireland is covered in sacred wells, placenames and other indications of our love of the being in question. This blog is a mix of fiction (clearly labelled as such), the results of my research into our Irish lore on her and the topics I think link to her, as well as my writings on my energetical practices and modern issues I believe she would be interested in.

Today's post is Native vs Non-Native Brigid. I invite you to have a read, and follow Orlagh wherever you can. 

Great news, by the way: Orlagh is working on a book about Brigit. I can't wait to read it. 

Donna's Brigit: An Icon in Threads

One of the members of Orlagh Costello's Brigid's Forge group on Facebook, asked participants to share their favourite images of Brigit. My first contribution was of my brideóg, but today I felt the urge to share a piece made by the late Donna Amaral.

It used to be nearly impossible to get images of Brigit on this side of the pond. I love what a blossoming of Brigidine imagery there is now. Whether or not I like a particular image, I am so grateful for the inspiration artists receive to imagine her, and that we get to see so many of their results.

This pattern was designed by Donna Amaral, one of the early Daughters of the Flame, back in the 1990s. I only wish I did needlepoint, as I'd love to have it on my altar.

Thank you, Donna, for all you gave to Brigit, to me, and to your sisters in the Daughters of the Flame. I still miss you. 

                 

Below you will see that I enhanced the original scan she sent me--resolution was not awesome Back in the Day. But it isn't perfect. You may want to use a pen to touch it up. If you click on the pattern I've attached you will see the whole thing, though only part of it is visible in the post. If any of you stitch this up for yourself (or for me!), have fun! I'd love to see your work.

All Images: by Donna Amaral. Apologies for the poor quality of the pattern.