“Nineteen Flames for Brigid” by Lunaea Weatherstone

Following is a series of prayers, or a long poem, to Brigit from Tending Brigid's Flame by Lunaea Weatherstone.

Nineteen Flames for Brigid

by Lunaea Weatherstone

This book[1] opened with a woman lighting a candle in devotion to Brigid. Let’s close in the same way, with nineteen candles this time. This prayer litany can be done all at once or over nineteen nights. You can offer one prayer each night or do it “twelve days of Christmas” style: on the first night offer Flame 1’s prayer, on the second night offer the prayers for Flames 1 and 2, and so on until on the last night you offer all nineteen. However you get there, when you’ve lit that final flame, remember that Brigid holds the twentieth flame, which is eternal.

Flame 1: Welcome

Brigid of brightness, I bid thee welcome,

Brigid of blessing, come thou in.

Brigid of strength, I bid thee welcome,

this night and every night, this day and every day.

Flame 2: Hearth and household

Brigid of the threshold, come thou in,

Brigid of the hearthfire, take your ease,

Brigid of the cook-pot, sup with us,

Brigid of all comforts, dwell in our hearts.

Flame 3: Ancestors

Ancestors all, I embody your legacy,

Ancestors all, I ask for your blessing,

Ancestors all, I offer Brigid’s flame

to light the needfires of deep memory.

Flame 4: Flamekeepers

Brigid of the timeless flame, bless your daughters:

Those who keep the circle bright,

Those whose faith has never failed,

Those who keep your name ablaze.

Flame 5: Healing

Brigid of the holy waters,

Brigid of the soothing hand,

Brigid of the miracles,

Touch me with healing.

Flame 6: Poetry

Brigid of lore, deepen my understanding,

Brigid of bards, increase my eloquence,

Brigid of poetry, lead me to beauty:

Beauty of word and beauty of thought.

Flame 7: Courage

Brigid of the golden shield,

Brigid of courage,

Brigid of the sunbeam,

Increase thou my trust.

Flame 8: Righteous causes

Brigid, lend your righteous sword

To those who work for justice,

To those who speak the truth,

To those who seek a better world.

Flame 9: The oppressed

In the name of Brigid, who empowers the oppressed,

In the name of Brigid, who releases the enslaved,

In the name of Brigid, who lifts up the downtrodden,

May all her people be honored and free.

Flame 10: Children

Brigid the midwife, bless every birth,

Brigid foster mother, protect every child,

Brigid of springtime, bestow on each childhood

The innocence of wonder and the magic of joy.

Flame 11: Women’s causes

Mighty Brigid, your keening women call to you:

Strengthen our voice,

Strengthen our resolve,

Strengthen our sisterhood.

Flame 12: The earth

Brigid, preserve this planet,

The stones and the seas and the skies.

Brigid, spread your green mantle

For the greening of the earth.

Flame 13: Animals

Brigid, protect the earth’s animals,

The fish and the beasts and the birds.

Brigid, shelter your creatures

As your sheep shelter lambs from the wind.

Flame 14: Water

Brigid of the clear dewdrop,

Brigid of the pure wellspring,

Brigid of the pool of knowledge,

Teach us to honor the gift of water.

Flame 15: Creativity

Bright Brigid, flame of creation,

Kindle my enthusiasm,

Fire up my passion,

Ignite my imagination.

Flame 16: Nourishment

Brigid of the overflowing milk,

Brigid of the good brown loaf,

Brigid of the endless butter,

May all beings be nourished.

Flame 17: Peace

Peace of the swan and peace of the kine,

Peace of the hearth and peace of the open door,

Peace between neighbors and peace between nations

The deep peace of Brigid within.

Flame 18: Gratefulness

Brigid, I thank thee three-times-three:

For my birth, my body, my spirit,

For my kin, my clan, my tribe,

For my home, my work, my knowledge of thee.

Flame 19: The three flames of Brigid

May the hearthfire of welcome warm me,

May the temple fire of faith sustain me,

May the forge fire of change strengthen me,

And Brigid’s love encompass me, now and evermore.

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[1] Tending Brigit’s Flame by Lunaea Weatherstone (2016).

Poem/Ritual: "Nineteen Candles" by Lunaea Weatherstone from her book Tending Brigit's Flame (2016). By permission.

Image:  Español: Noche de velas, 2015, by Marrovi (talk | contribs), Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International