Musings from the festival and a call for healing.
(Image description: A photo of my altar. From left to right, a black lantern sits in the corner. Next to it, there are three images of Brighid as a healer, a poet, and a smith. A couple drawstring pouches are off the the side with the bell branch near them. A Brighid doll rests in a bed with a copper sun disc, a couple Brighid’s crosses, and other devotional items near Her. A couple candles are seen to the right. A spiral finger labyrinth, incense burner, and a wand lighter rest on the altar cloth. A pair of pinecone clusters are at each end of the display.) Credit: My own work.
Brighid’s Day has come, and spring is slowly approaching. However, I don’t think winter is over yet. From what I remember reading, a day of snow or rain meant that spring was on its way, while a sunny day indicated that winter would linger around for a while. On February 1st, the day was chilly and cloudy without any precipitation. I suppose that would be considered something of a toss-up for upcoming weather.
After lighting my lantern, it was time to hang the Brighid mantles out for the evening. Most of the ones I have were given to me through Clann Bhride’s Imbolc Exchange. I also left out a length of ribbon that normally stays in my travel altar.
Later that night, I offered Brighid a glass of milk, some vanilla incense, and a poem. The tone of the poem felt slightly similar to the line from the Nighttime Prayer in the Clann Bhride Book of Hours, “Oh Brighid of the Starlight, be ever near to me, so close that I cannot see where You and I begin”, due to theme of spiritual closeness. Also, the thought of plaiting Brighid’s hair was inspired by the epithet “Brigit of the Twining Hair” in the Descent of Brigit from the Carmina Gadelica.
May I Plait Your Hair, O Lady?
As You rest on Your journey,
let me braid Your hair for You.
Linger here for a time, O Lady,
to bless me a threefold with Your presence.
I wish to know and feel You as much as I can,
as I am able.
May the plaiting bring You joy
as You bring me joy.
Strand over strand,
piece over piece,
the braid like the trunk
of the Tree of Life.
I know You must go,
to bring spring in Your wake,
so that life may flourish.
May Your visit with me
be one that spirits You on
along the path.
Lastly, I did the three fid reading and received Ceirt, Dair, and Ngétal. I was surprised to see the first letter show up in the reading, mainly because of some of its negative meanings. However, a second look at it brings to mind a need to rest but also not to be timid with myself in my path. There’s a need forgentleness in my overall well-being.
Dair, with its word kennings, feels like elevation is a key focus as the middle letter. It is a strengthening link between the first and last letter in the reading.
The overarching theme of Ngétal is healing. Given that Brighid and Nodens have connections to healing, They may both be calling me to focus on healing in a variety of ways that affect the body, mind, and spirit.
I have some understanding of what I need to contemplate over the next three months, and I imagine that more will reveal itself with time.
Brighid’s blessings to you and yours!
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