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An update on my veiling practice.

(Image description: A photo of two sheer scarves waft upwards. A smaller, white scarf is next to a larger, orange one. Some windows are in the background in a dimly lit space.) Credit: Photo by Kacper Zaremba on Unsplash

The subject of Pagan veiling has been something I’ve periodically wanted to follow up on. Perhaps it was coincidence, but maybe Brighid wished for me to write more about it again. As of this post, it’s basically been two years since my original discussion.

I have been keeping up with it, but it’s become more of a casual show of devotion by putting on a hat. It’s practical as it protects my head from the sun, and it also covers the crown of the head. Amusingly enough, I like to think of the crown as the brim of a cauldron. Within Irish Polytheism, there’s said to be three cauldrons within the human body, with the one in the head being considered the Cauldron of Wisdom.

I haven’t been wearing scarves due to wanting to be discreet, but I still would like to return to wearing them one day. Scarves simply have a different feel compared to hats and have more of a comforting effect. They can be tricky to tie and a bit tight if you have sensory issues, so those are more reasons I haven’t continued wearing them.

However, I recently understood that veiling can extend to anything that can be placed over the head, in addition to being placed on top of the head. For some, this could be a pendant; I’ve even seen someone use an eyeglass chain. The concept of veiling is very versatile, depending on how much time you want to put into it.

As I’ve written about, veiling can easily be linked to Brighid and Her mantle. It’s easy enough to put on the item you want to veil with, but including a sacred gesture deepens the practice.

I remember a short prayer meant to invoke St. Brighid’s protection that came up in a discussion in a Clann Bhride group. In Irish, the prayer reads, “A Bhrigid, scar os mo chionn Do bhrat fionn dom anacal.” The English translation means, “O Brigid spread above my head Your mantle bright to guard me.”

I’m digressing but trying to find an academic source for this prayer was a wild goose chase. The closest I came was finding the attribution in Brian Wright’s Brigid: Goddess, Druidess, and Saint. However, it doesn’t include bright in the English translation, but it does mention it as being used as a means of protecting children from the Fair Folk. This website includes the Irish and English translations, but even with a bibliography, following the citations can be somewhat muddled.

In any regard, the prayer is adaptable enough to be applied while putting on your veil. You could include anointing the scarf, hat, or jewelry with a special oil, but I prefer to keep it simple. In the future, I will use this prayer to include a bit of the sacred in the mundane.

If you’re interested in the practice of veiling, maybe my thoughts on the topic might provide some inspiration for you.

A show of appreciation.

(Image description: A photo of a diamond-pattered glass vase is placed on its side. A bouquet of off-white flowers is in the vase. Scrabble letters spell out “thank you” next to it, with a black surface underneath the items.) Credit: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

With the start of fall, the equinox is considered by some to be a time of thanksgiving or balance. Regardless of whether the country you live in has a Thanksgiving holiday, autumn is an appropriate time to show your thankfulness for what you have in your life.

Taking stock of what has been harvested and showing gratitude in one season makes the long haul of winter that much more important. The long nights seem to stretch on, and having gratitude is one way to persevere through that long period.

I probably don’t do this often enough, but here’s a list of things or people I’m grateful for. If you’re chronically ill, it can take your mind away from the everyday tasks and lessen the severity of what can feel like an enormous snowball effect in your life. Showing gratitude also reminds you to not take people or things for granted, which is all too easy to do at times.

1.     Family

This entry might be a sticking point for some, depending on what your relationship was and is like from your younger days. However, the definition of what a family is should be fluid and left up to the individual or others said individual chooses to have in their life. Some are related by blood, while others I consider family have an important daily influence in my life, which would feel incomplete without them in it.

2.     Health

In this regard, it might seem somewhat contradictory to be listed here. Compared with some, my health isn’t too bad. However, I try not to see it as a thing to dislike; it’s just another part of my life. Finding kindred spirits in Brighid and Nodens in Their respective disabilities (which I’ve written about previously) have been tremendously helpful. Chronic health issues aren’t the only aspect, but it is an important one that can be seen in divinities. It is a part of my experiences, but it isn’t the whole of it.

3.     Imagination

I’ve become less of a believer in things like inherited talent. If anything is inherited, it could be the need to make art in whatever form or skill level you can. There might be an ancestral artistic desire needing an outlet, and that trait could be energetically inherited from our forebears, blood related or not. I’m thankful for whatever I might have gotten from them, along with the imagination and skills I’ve fostered over the years.

4.     Community

Nowadays, the online Polytheist community has been very beneficial in finding others with similar beliefs, and I’m thoroughly grateful for that. There’s more than one that I’m immensely appreciative of to have around, but the predominant ones are Clann Bhride and The Cloister: A Polytheistic Monastic Community. I have frequently mentioned the Clann Bhride Book of Hours, which forms a large portion of my practice, and the forum is a cozy and tranquil place to gather and discuss topics of interest with fellow monastics.

There are other items that I could include on a gratitude list, but these listings are good for now. I can make an updated list in the future, as expressing gratitude is a vital to do during any time of the year.

Lastly, I appreciate and am grateful for the readers who read, like, or comment on my blog posts. I hope that these entries are useful and enjoyable to you in whatever way you find them fulfilling!

A continuation of working with Sulabaros Tritanuos.

(Image description: A photo of bluish gray storm clouds over a body of water with a smooth surface. There are land masses on the horizon. Large rocks are in the forefront.) Credit: Photo by Dave on Unsplash

As promised, I wrote a monastic chant for Nodens. The poem combines His connections of the weather, disability, justice, and rulership. Compared to Brighid’s poem, writing it flowed somewhat smoother. I liken the writing process with Brighid to that of a smith at an anvil, while writing His chant was coursing through a river that has the occasional rock.

I listened to mist ambience while composing it, so I find that the procedure makes its own form of dual sensory input with hearing and touch.

I’m becoming more comfortable with the poetic form, but that doesn’t mean it’s a breeze. I like the challenge of its shortness and the rhyming patterns, but I still plan to vary my monastic writing practice with free verse and structured poetry.

Nodens

Pure mist king

Ring true Your silver hand

Band of clouds cleansing so sure

Trying out a poetic form for monastic chants.

(Image description: A photo of a fiery source of light and steam reflecting off dark, rippling water.) Credit: Photo by Tom Barrett on Unsplash

As a syncretic Polytheist, I wanted to challenge myself to write poetry that can also be used as a chant for a deity, rather than sticking with the usual free verse poems and prayers. I do want to practice with Irish poetry forms at some point, but I’m practicing with a shorter form associated with Gaulish Polytheism to get started.

The form is called Sulabaros Tritanuos (three-tongued eloquence), and more information about it and other poetry forms can be found here. With it being my flamekeeping shift, I focused on writing one for Brighid. I will write a chant for Nodens soon.

The process reminded me that I should continue to build my creative skills as a devotee. Skills are like muscles that require strength training, since they can become stagnated from lack of use.

Brighid/Brigantia

Threshold keeper of high acclaim

Flame of kindness golden

Olden waters of life uphold

A possible continuation in transformation.

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It’s now officially the start of the ‘ber months! Depending on where you’re reading this blog, the weather may be beginning to cool and become more clement; on the other hand, it could still be rather hot while wishing for said weather!

Musings over transformative things.

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Occasionally, transformation is requested of you, but figuring out what that might entail requires you to sort out what might need transforming. This post will essentially be me randomly organizing these ideas. Some will relate to mundane things, while others will relate to spiritual ones. Mind you, these tasks aren’t necessarily separate from each other, as many things are more interconnected than we realize.

The first item is related to monastic dress. I don’t see myself as donning typical monastic robes for practical reasons. I feel any “monastic attire” would be rooted in contemporary clothing with my personal tastes shaping this wardrobe.

I’ve been meaning to declutter my closet for a while. However, in order to do that, I need to figure out what my personal style is. I realize now that my tastes favor a blend of layering, whimsical and fairytale/folklore-inspired subjects, and gothic fashion.

As a slight aside, I need to be careful not to overly romanticize aspects of folklore and mythology. I’ve always had a fondness for old stories, so they feel like a deeply important part of my heart. However, romanticization can lead to a domestication of stories that have an inherent wildness to them, like the way nature is. You can appreciate and respect something without taming it.

I realize that I’ve always favored these influences since I was young. As I’m getting older, I want to do things that bring me joy, even if it’s in small doses. A human lifespan is finite, so some of it should be spent doing things that bring you joy in a world that doesn’t always desire for you to do so.

While decluttering, I want to be mindful of what I keep, regarding both materials and DIY-ing. DIY-ing is a part of the goth subculture (I’m aware listening to music is the main one). Regardless, some items in my closet are synthetic. I would prefer to continue to use them as long as possible, rather than having them end up in a landfill.

This process will take a while, but I hope to create a wardrobe that brings me joy.

Next, my path with Nodens feels like it’s lacking somewhat. I understand that it’s still relatively new, but only using His prayer beads is inspiring me to write prayers for Him. I don’t think that I will have the same round of daily prayers that I do with Brighid, but I strongly feel like I need more of a routine with Him as well. I find that my understanding of Nodens might be developing differently from other devotees.

I don’t typically remember my dreams. So, when I’m able to recollect one, it can stand out as important. The most recent one involved my late father and the overall theme of cherishing family and not taking them for granted. I wasn’t aware of Nodens’s presence within the dream, but perhaps He had an influence on it.

While dreams are certainly tied to Nodens, I also link Him with disability due to His silver hand. I don’t use any prosthetics, but I have been using a cane more in my life to steady my walking. I’ve become more accepting of this fact, but there are times where I still struggle with this aspect of my life. Maybe learning to come to terms with this part of my life is some of the transformation that’s being required of me. I must also deal with frustrating invisible symptoms such as brain fog and chronic fatigue. Time will tell as I figure things out.

I would also like to draw a sacred image for Nodens. I don’t know if any image of Him will have a human shape, but having some tangible seems meaningful in its own way. I need to consult with Nodens to see what He would like for me to do.

This post could involve a second part, either next week or in the near future. I sense that Brighid may want me to check in with Her soon, so I’ll see what She wants. She was the one who indicated that transformation is needed, but this is where my writing out my thoughts ends.

A poem about faith in the face of climate grief.

(Image description: A photo of a pair of hands that hold a glass candleholder with a lit candle inside. The light dimly shows the person’s clothing in the dark.) Credit: Photo by ErnAn Solozábal on Unsplash

Little Candle

I am a candle,

the flame in my heart

an offering in everything I do.

Its glow and rhythm

flickering in time

with the tides of life,

the heart drifts.

In the grieving Earth,

the torrents of floods and fires,

with the loss of what was,

and the unknown of what will be,

the spark wavers.

I am a candle,

sputtering in the dark

with hope the only fuel.

The flame of my heart

burns despite the creeping woe,

an offering in the dimming future.

A prayer for my sacred place.

(Image description: A photo of a rocky coastline with moss and evergreen trees. Rocky islands near the coast are covered in more trees, with blue green water surrounding them. The sky is overcast.) Credit:  Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash

Prayer Against Distraction

Guide me,

against indifference,

against despair,

against disruption,

to the holy place

where the Three Realms meet

where moss and trees

give way to sand, to stone

to sky, and to wave.

May the drumming wind cleanse my clouded mind.

May the water ease my racing thoughts.

May the air refresh my restless spirit.

May they align me to the joy

that You would have me seek.

As it was,

As it is,

As it ever shall be.

How I like to create playlists for my deities.

(Image description: A photo of an old, vaguely Grecian style stone building. There is a door covered some rust and musical notes that are painted on the surface. A couple columns are on both sides of the door, along with windows with decorative ironwork. The roof has grapes, a couple stars, and other carved motifs at the top.) Credit: Photo by Ivan Klishin on Unsplash

The idea of devotional playlists isn’t new. I heard of other devotees creating their playlists on platforms like Tumblr and Facebook. Some like to use specific musical genres for certain deities, while I tend to pull from traditional and modern sources.

For Brighid, I took many of the songs on the playlist from other devotees’ collections of songs because many of them resonate with some aspect I see within Her. Services like YouTube and Spotify are the main ones I currently know of; if you know of others you find valuable, you can add them in the comments below.

Some songs are instrumental folksongs intermingled with Brighid-related melodies. I have more than one version of “Gabhaim Molta Bride” on there, which have their similarities in melodies and lyrics; however, the musicians also have their own unique interpretations of the beloved song.

A few of the songs are from pop culture. Two tunes are from the Brave soundtrack, and a couple are by the Irish musician/songwriter Hozier. These lyrics have some aspects to them that I can connect with Brighid, but they may not be as obvious to some devotees as they are to me. In some ways, they can denote the multi-layered roles Brighid has in my life and how I see Her presence in my life and in the world.

As for Nodens, His playlist is a work-in-progress, and it largely features ambient and instrumental music. He hasn’t hinted at any modern melodies or traditional folksongs that feel right, but that can always change in the future.

In a way, I think that devotional playlists can be like a small form of pilgrimage to put yourself into the right setting or mindset, depending on what your needs are at the time.

If you’re interested in starting a devotional playlist (or these suggestions may be things you hadn’t thought of) for the deities/ancestors/spirits you honor in your practice, these are some general suggestions for possible ideas.

1.     Look at other devotees’ playlists for inspiration. As mentioned, there are platforms that have allowed people to collect songs to listen to. With popular deities like Brighid, there are many playlists available. Listen through them and see if any resonate with you. It’s always good to include traditional songs in a playlist, as it creates a connection between you, the divine focus, and the culture they came from. However, there’s always exceptions to the rule, and you may not feel the need to do this.

Additionally, some deities, ancestors, or spirts may not have enough recognition to have any specific playlists for them. This is where you’ll have to think outside the box, and you can find songs or videos that remind you of them in some way. Don’t be constrained by what you think others would use for the spirit in question; follow what feels right to you and enjoy the process!

2.     Consider holidays when adding songs to a collection. Many polytheists have some sort of calendar they celebrate through the year, so there’s a good chance there’s either traditional songs or ones that have been written in modern times. Even if it’s more of a general connection to the focus of your playlist, a seasonal melody for the entity in question can still appreciate it.

3.     Think of looking to modern songs to include in your playlist. If there’s a connection you see between a movie, television show, themed playlist, or anything else between it and the power(s) you venerate, consider adding it in! Songs with have some underlying theme can be worth including in your collection, too.

This suggestion likely dips into the concept of Pop Culture Paganism, which is a valid avenue. For example, if there’s a song from one of the Thor film soundtracks that you connect one of the deities from the franchise to, add it to your playlist! If your collecting has the right intention behind doing so, there aren’t really any rules to making devotional playlists.

4.     If you’re just getting started with a new spirit or deity, adding informational videos pertaining to them can also be useful to have on your playlist. You can skip over the video if you only feel like listening to the songs in the playlist or arrange them in a particular order if listening offline on a personal device.

5.     Lastly, have fun while making playlists! Devotion of any type can have its serious moments, but joy should absolutely be involved when adding songs or videos to your playlist(s)!

May these suggestions be helpful to you when creating devotional playlists!

A look at Lúnasa when away from home.

(Image description: A photo of grain in a field, with the sun setting in the sky. Buildings can be seen in the distance.) Credit: Photo by Marigna Roth on Unsplash

With not being at my main shrine, my celebrations are going to be somewhat abridged, but they’ll also be done over the first half of August. Doing so prevents me from being overly stressed about shoving seasonal festivities into one or two days.

I began my flamekeeping shift at sunset by changing the wallpaper of my phone to a candle photo, in place of my usual lantern. I haven’t had a chance to get any candles or incense, so food offerings were envisioned. I gave Brighid a blackberry bannock and a glass of milk. I also offered Her a prayer, listed below:

Sorrowful Joy/ Harvest Prayer

Wild grains blowing in the field,

The Earth weighs heavily with sorrow,

so has my heart.

There is joy to be had in the present,

But the year’s losses are felt too.

Lift up my spirits, Harvest Maiden,

that I may taste the season’s bounty

and experience the bliss of summer’s warmth.

The laughter and mirth of those who welcome me,

that I may find hospitality in their presence.

May I remember the satisfaction and joyful blessings

in our contract this day and every day, this night and every night!

Afterwards, I did my three month ogam draw for what I should focus on until the next fire festival during Samhain. I received Onn, Beith, and Dair.

Onn is related to travel and movement, which is relevant to my current living situation. It can be linked with pilgrimage. I currently have no holy sites on my schedule to visit, but the town I’m in could become a holy place for my hearth to reside in, as it goes wherever I go. A couple of the word kennings can relate to horses and the implements related to riding. It could also tie in with knowledge and the confidence of being able to drive one, so that you can maintain the course of your journey.

Beith calls into question new beginnings and preparation. The place I’m in is likely preparing me for the next transition in my life, but I have to ensure that I’m prepared to continue onward in my monastic path. Additionally, with some books I bought in the past few months, I can add to my knowledge of skills and how I specifically want to apply these skills in the future. The use of tools can connect with an artist or writer’s implements, pushing me to continue with writing on this blog.

Dair’s appearance makes me think this is a continuation of Beith’s mention of skills that I can see Brighid wanting me to learn about, pertaining to grief and hearthcraft. Dair’s word kennings indicate not only skill, but specifically the mastering of skills. Obviously, the course of three months is not enough to be an expert in anything, but it’s enough time to lay the foundations for such things.

Beith and Dair are letters I strongly associate with Brighid, so I feel strongly these are the indications She’s giving me. As time goes by, the reading’s messages will become clearer.

In the coming days, I hope to get in some meditation and artistic endeavors in place of sports or games, since they bring me joy and also harken back to the learning of skills.

Until next time, may you have a wonderful and blessed harvest season!