St. Brigid of Kildare Icon Writing Retreat with Sophia Icon Studio

 

St. Brigid of Kildare Icon Writing Retreat with Sophia Icon Studio of Boise, Idaho.

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February 13-17

 

One-Week Online Retreat 

Monday - Friday (Full-days)

9am-4pm Mountain Time

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St. Brigid is one of the three patron saints of Ireland credited with spreading Christianity in the Celtic Isles. Many of the details of her life are more legend than fact, but her life and spirituality left a mark on the Celtic people that is real and robust. 

 

Brigid was born into slavery, but like many women in the Middle Ages found freedom in the Church. She followed the teachings of St. Patrick and founded several important monasteries, most notably in Kildare. She was known for her excessive generosity to the sick and poor. Named after the pagan goddess of the flame, Brigid's life became a bright light to the people around her, which continues to shine to this day.

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Class will be conducted live on Zoom. Sorry, no recordings are available at this time.

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​This icon will be painted on a 8x10" board. A prepared board will be provided along with instructional materials and gold leaf. First-time students have the option to purchase an Introductory Kit for $12 (recommended). See Essential Supplies for details.

 

Tuition cost: ​

$365 

Payment is due at the time of registration.

See Registration & Payment for more detailed information

 

REGISTRATION DEADLINE 

is February 6th

Icon of St. Brigid of Kildare Written through the hand of Kara Gillette, 2023

Retreat for Women Celebrates Imbolc in Scotland

Exciting news, though a bit short notice. Working for Recovery, based in Scotland, is leading an Imbolc retreat for women on the Isle of Lewis, including time at Tobar Bhrìghde (Brigit's Well) and the Callanish stones. 

I hadn't heard of these folk before but the little I've read just now I find very interesting. Aside from retreats for people in recovery, (which is defined as recovery from mental illness or mental distress) they train professionals and have a ten week online course. Formerly they had a house where people could take mental health breaks, but that has now closed.

About the retreat:

A Retreat for Women: Celebrate the Celtic Return of Spring (Imbolc) - 30 Jan - 2 Feb 2020, Isle of Lewis, Scotland

Working to Recovery & Midwife of the Soul present: ARetreat with Women: Celebrate the Celtic Return of Spring (Imbolc)


The retreat will start with dinner on Thursday 30th January and finish after lunch on Sunday 2nd February (in time for the afternoon ferry or flights home).  The retreat will be immersed in the land of the Isle of Women - Lewis & Harris. 
FACILITATORS: Karen Taylor and Jane Eastwood (guest appeareance by Jill Smith)

ABOUT THE RETREAT
Imbolc, on the 1^st February, is the time to celebrate the return of Spring in the Celtic calendar when the Callieach returns to sleep and Brighid reawakens.  Together we will explore this relationship between the old and the new, rebirth and letting go, cleansing and growing.

The night before Imbolc we will go to the Callanish Standing Stones to celebrate “the sleeping beauty” and the ending of winter.

On Imbolc, together we will go to “St Brides Well” at first light, where we will clean the well and offer her gifts and celebrate her coming.

In my home we will explore what do we need to cleanse within ourselves, what we need to let go of, in order to grow into the women we wish to be.  We will use Celtic stories to guide us and explore our own stories.  Bringing us ready for a fresh new start.






Images: "The Emergence of Spring - Brighde's Well" by Jill Smith.
               "Callanish Standing Stones" by Marta Gutowska. CC 2.5.
              "Tobar Bhrìghde on Lewis" by Peter Boyle. On the Mobile Megalithic Portal.