Showing posts with label Vancouver Pagan Awareness Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vancouver Pagan Awareness Day. Show all posts

Thursday, August 13, 2026

"Finding Our Voice with Brigit, Goddess & Saint” with Mael Brigde


Last week I attended Vancouver Pagan Awareness Day, here in Vancouver, BC, Canada. In 2025, I offered the workshop “Brigit of the Powerful Voice,” where we looked at the traditional connections between Brigit and the voice, and tied that to our own voices, specifically the ways in which we have had our voices stifled, and ways in which we can reclaim them.

I was very happy with how it went, and subsequently led the same workshop online. This year I decided to fine-tune the workshop for both an in-person and an online venue and shift the focus from Brigit herself to the need to reclaim our voices. In truth, the same material was covered, but I wanted to make it clear from the outset that this would be an opportunity for folk to learn about how they might approach this important life task with the help of Brigit.

This year I added another offering. An hour before the workshop, I occupied the main ceremonial circle to lead a devotional and prayers to Brigit. I was very glad that my friend Ngoc had come with me, because everyone scattered when the previous ritual ended. I began setting up my tiny altar and spreading out the thin blanket Ngoc and I were going to sit on, and then I began the ritual with just the two of us. I felt rather silly at first, and wondered if I should skip it, but that felt wrong. I had committed to leading this ritual, and so I entered into it fully and it was grounding and reassuring to do so. When I lifted my voice to sing — three of the prayers in the ritual were sung — a couple of people joined us, and when it was over the four of us sat and talked for several pleasant minutes.

The workshop itself had a full circle of participants, and it also went well. I was very happy to get to speak with people in person about Brigit and do the work together.

I expect I will do another online workshop in the next few months. Perhaps in November; perhaps in the new year. If you are interested in being on a waiting list, please let me know.

Meanwhile, may Brigit bless you, and may you find your true voice, and set it free. 



 

Images: Two social media images with snowdrops as a background to text telling the names and nature of the two events, with dates and place (8 August, Trout Lake). The first image, for the workshop, has a photo of a pen and a journal, as well. All photos by Mael Brigde.

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Knowing the Brigit of Lebor Gabála Érenn

 


Wow. You know you are VERY close to something when you can’t figure out if you wrote it or if it is from an old manuscript. I finally figured it out. I wrote it. Of course, it was drawn from an old manuscript, but still, you’d think I’d know which was which…

Daughter of the Dagda 
she it was who had
two sacred cattle
Fea and Femen
and Cirb
king of rams

 

after each
great plains were named

 

with them was Triath
king of swine

 

among them
three demon voices
after transgression

 

whistling
weeping
lamentation

 

this was Brigit
daughter of The Good God
with her
all might in creatures
with her
wild cries in the night

 

—Mael Brigde

 

Drawn from *Lebor Gabála Érenn, Vol. 4*:
“Brigit the poetess, daughter of the Dagda, with her were Fe and Men, the two kings of oxen, from whom is Femen [called]. And with her was Triath, king of her boars, from whom is Treithirne [called]. And with her were heard, the three demonic sounds after transgressions in Ireland, whistling and weeping and lamentation .
“And also with her was Cirb king of the rams, from whom is Mag Cirb [called]. With them were Cerman and Cermat and the Mac Oc.” (translation Daimler, 2015).
Morgan Daimler, Pagan Portals - Brigid, pg. 27.

Or MacAlister’s translation:
“She it is who had (two sacred cattle named) Fea [Fe] and Femen [Men] the two oxen of Dil, from whom are named Mag Fea and Mag Femen. With them was Triath, king of the swine (boars), from whom is Tretherne. Among them were heard three demon voices in Ireland after plunder, to wit, whistling, outcry (weeping) and groaning (lamentation),” and “she had Cirb, king of the wethers, from whom is Mag Cirb named.”
—Macalister, *Lebor Gabála Érenn, Vol. 4*

I am delving into all of this again in order to plan my workshop on Brigit and the voice for Vancouver Pagan Awareness Day.


Poem “Daughter of the Dagda” is from A Brigit of Ireland Devotional - Sun Among Stars by Mael Brigde.

Image of handsome wild boar with muddy snout. Photo by Kevin Jackson on Unsplash.


Tuesday, July 01, 2025

“Brigit, Poet of the Powerful Voice” - Live Event with Mael Brigde

 


I am excited to be leading a workshop at Vancouver Pagan Awareness Day. In “Brigit, Poet of the Powerful Voice” we will learn about the power of the voice under Brigit‘s guidance and find expression for our own.
Join me there! I think it will be amazing to do this work together.
Bring a notebook or your phone so you can write something if you are inspired.

Time of workshop TBA.
Vancouver Pagan Awareness Day
Saturday, August 23rd, 2025
10 am to 5 pm

Trout Lake (John Hendry Park)
2105 E 19 Ave
Vancouver, BC, Canada

Come to the Southeast corner of the park – near the concession stand. Come celebrate our 27th year!