Daughters of the Flame—30th Anniversary!

 

It dawned on me that this Imbolc the Daughters of the Flame are celebrating thirty years of tending Brigit's fire together. It has been so amazing connecting with, practicing with, and sharing joy and sorrow with so many women on this path.

I am grateful for all of you, what you have taught me, what you have allowed me to be with you, what you have shown me of yourselves. I had no idea how this decision to do 'one small thing for Brigit' would change my life. No idea how holding space for other women to honour Brigit would challenge me and shape me. No idea of the love and kindness I would meet through her.

I would love to hear from all Daughters, past and present. I'd love to know how you are, where your path has led you, what Brigit has meant in your life, even if you have moved on from her, what our group, Daughters of the Flame, has meant for you.

We are talking, some of us, about how we might celebrate this amazing anniversary. (When I started I hoped we might last three years.) Not the whole group — my computer is kaput and I can't access my email lists. But we have time.

So happy. 🙏🏼🔥💧❤️

Image: Cross-stitch of Brigit holding a sword in one hand and a branch in the other. There are lines of shamrocks and flames below her and two four-armed Brigit's crosses, one on either side of her head. She was designed by Daughter of the Flame Donna Amaral in the 1990s.

Thank You, Elan! (Brigit Icon)

A couple of months ago a note of great wonder appeared in my inbox.

Elan said she would stitch me one of Donna Amaral's Brigit icons! And so she has. She was wonderful to work with, getting me to think about colour and how I see Brigit, when I wouldn't have considered departing from Donna's original. The result, and the lovely way Elan presented it, is beautiful and moving to receive. Thank you so very much, Elan.

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.

Auld Grey Mare St. Brigit's Cross Cross-Stitch Pattern (& More by Donna Amaral)

On 11 January 2011 Lynda H. posted her "Brigid's Cross - a Cross Stitch Freebie for Imbolc," which I wanted to share with you here.

If you are into cross-stitch, have a look also at a couple of the late Daughter of the Flame Donna Amaral's Brigit designs:

Hymn to Brigit & Brigit Candle Cross-Stitch

The original version of this hymn is a prayer to God, not Brigit, collected by Alexander Carmichael in the Carmina Gadelica. I came across it in Esther de Waal's book on Celtic Christianity, Every Earthly Blessing, and was much moved by the text. In my efforts to memorize my modified version to use as a prayer on rising each morning, a tune began to attach itself to the phrases. I offer it to you now with a collection of images, mostly from old postcards and archival photos, but also including:

• images from the website of the Brigidine sisters of Australia
• hearth drawings by E. Estyn Evans
• the Solas Bhride hearth (photo by Erynn Laurie)
• Judy Chicago's Saint Bridget plate from The Dinner Party
• my own very humble clay crèche of Brigit, her cow, and the triple flame
• a Brigit candle cross-stitch design by Donna Amaral of the Daughters of the Flame
• a painting of a Renaissance woman blacksmith by Francesca Miller
• a photo of friends drumming around the fire in Haiti
• Mayra Gomez carrying Brigit's flame (from the AFRI website)
• a woman blacksmith in Sulawesi

I include Donna Amaral's cross-stitch pattern here. Please credit her wherever you may use it. Donna was an early and dedicated member of the Daughters of the Flame whose generosity and joy were a great inspiration and support to all who knew her. Her death was a great loss to us all.

I will kindle my fire (Brigit Song)

I will kindle my fire this morning

in the presence of Brigit and her holy women.
Brigit kindle in my heart within
a flame of love to my neighbour
to my foe, to my friend, to my kindred all
to the brave, to the knave, to the thrall.
Without malice, without jealousy
without envy, without fear
without terror of anyone under the sun.

For the original words, collected by Alexander Carmichael, see the Comment section below.