Brighid, 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 qualities and aspects.
    The extraordinary fusion of 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 immediately promoted within Irish Christianity to the role of the 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 pray to 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 fan its flame to quickening 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 an adder to generate its poison;

Habitual is reproach from frequent acknowledgement.

____ anon. Welsh poem

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