Brghid, Mother of Memory

Brighid, Mother of Memory

"Brighid of the mantle, encompass us;
Lady of the Lambs, protect us;
Keeper of the hearth, kindle us;
Beneath your mantle gather us,
And restore us to memory."
    __ Caitlin Matthews, "A Blessing for Hearth
            Keepers"


   The festival of Imbolc is under the protection of Brighid. The ancient goddess, daughter of the Dagda - or Good God of the Gaelic gods, the Tuatha de Danaan (TOO'a-ha day DAH'nan) - is the matron of poetry, healing and smithcraft. In the fifth century, her namesake St. Brigit of Kildare took over many of the goddess's qualitiesand aspects.

   The extraordinary fusion of the goddess and saint demonstrates how important Brighid is to the Celtic people. So great was her power that even the coming of Christianity could not diminish her influence. Brighid was immeditately promoted within Irish Christianity to the role of nthe Virgin's midwife and Christ's foster-mother, and remains the secondary patron of Ireland to this day.

   The mantle of Brighid is continually invoked in Celtic prayer, to powerfully encompass all and protect from harm. As the keeper of the hearth, Brighid and her power are present in the hearth-fire that radiates its welcoming glow throughout the household.  Poets and craftspeople look to her as their inspirer, householders beseech her to encompass their homes and flocks, and the sick prayto her to cast her mantle over them and bring them again to health.

  Brighid is the mother of memory, the one who reminds us of the original, divine, protective motherhood that promotes the individuality of our power and fans its flame to quickeing life.

"Make your own invocation to Brighid to ask for the encompassment and protection of your household, including all that is dear to you."
[From: "The Celtic Spirit" by Caitlin Matthews]


February

Month of February - scarce are the dainties;
Wakeful the adder to generate its poison;
Habitual is reproach from frequent acknowledgment
   ___ anon. Welsh poem

February sees the beginning of the season of spring, the festival of Imbolc. The themes this month include beginnings, illumination, recognising our song, myth and story, disorder and pattern, clear discernment and memory, help and advice, service and sacrifice, the three theads of the soul and their ninefold expression, wasteland, and healing.

Imbolc

The spring quarter of Imbolc brings the gift of insight and inspiration and is  time of beginnings and of essential truthfulness. Begun in the dark nand often icy days of early Spring, it is traditionally the time to appreciate innocence, truth and justice, to make resolutions and plans, and to prepare for the enfolding year. In the human growth cycle, Imbolc corresponds to the period of childhood when all things are questioned or enjoyed for their own sake. Imbolc is a good time to celebrate the lives of all 'soul-midwives' who have taught and prepared us, all who have been upholders of justice and truth, all holy ones who have gone to the heart of the matter with great clarity and insight.

Activities for the Spring Months

Practice your craft/art/skill with

dedication, drawing on the inspiration

of your heart.

*

Clkarify your life by spring-cleaning

surroundings and lifestyle. Check and

reassess your aims and objectives in life.

Bring into focus your plans for the

unfolding year.

*

Remember all young life-forms

and their parents.

* 

In this burgeoning season of life,

meet up with your spiritual kindred and

soul-friends whenever  possible for mutual

encouragement and fun.

*

Be awre of the inspirers, the

door-openers of the spiritual

tradition to which you are drawn.

*

Create a shrine to focus your

spiritualn intention.

*

Plant flowers and vegetables for

Summer and Autumn.

*

Walk and meditate outdoors for at least

fifteen minutes daily.

*

Indentify five plants or

trees growing near you.

*

Be active, with like-minded others,

in defending human rights, world ecology

or local issues where injustice

currently prevails.

*

As you travel through the land of Spring,

relate your spiritual journey to the unfolding

beauty of this season.

[From: "Celtic Devotional" by Caitlin Matthews]