"At the Holy Well” by Mael Brigde

At the Holy Well

Hill of Tara, 2 May 2023

at the holy well

I brushed my fingers

across soft

stinging hairs of nettle

in my eagerness to meet

cows who gathered there

this well shared on

either side of a wooden fence

blessing cattle

blessing us

what a rare   still

joyous moment

to reach inside the

stoney spring mouth

ferns blossoming from shadowed rock 

petals scattered on the pool

for Bealtaine

to cup the cool water

in my palm

to pour in yours

these few small drops

of divine compassion

to anoint myself

forehead   throat  belly

to move through hill and pathway

in this silent place

Image: Cattle drinking from a small stone trough above a stream. Second photo shows the holy well connected to this trough. 

Orthodox Hymns to St Brigit of Kildare

 In my reading today I have stumbled across Orthodox Wiki and its entry on "Our venerable Mother Brigid of Kildare or Brigid of Ireland.” Included are four hymns to St. Brigit, which I include below.

Troparion (Tone 1) [1]

O holy Brigid, you became sublime through your humility,

and flew on the wings of your longing for God.

When you arrived in the eternal City and appeared before your Divine Spouse,

wearing the crown of virginity,

you kept your promise

to remember those who have recourse to you.

You shower grace upon the world, and multiply miracles.

Intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls.

Kontakion (Tone 4) [2]

The holy virgin Brigid full of divine wisdom,

went with joy along the way of evangelical childhood,

and with the grace of God/ attained in this way the summit of virtue.

She now bestows blessings upon those who come to her with faith.

O holy Virgin, intercede with Christ our God

that He may have mercy on our souls.

Apolytikion (Tone 4) [3]

Having learned of things divine by the words of Patrick,

thou hast proclaimed in the West the good tidings of Christ.

Wherefore, we venerate thee, O Brigid,

and entreat thee to intercede with God that our souls be saved.

Kontakion (Tone 3) [4]

At the Church of the Oak, thou didst establish thy sacred monasteries

for those that took up the Tree of life,

even the Precious Cross, upon their shoulders.

And by thy grace-filled life and love of learning,

thou didst bear fruit a hundredfold and didst thereby nourish the faithful.

O righteous Mother Brigid, intercede with Christ, the True Vine, that He save our souls.

Image: St. Brigid icon written by Bulgarian iconographer Georgi Chimev.

"St. Brigid’s Eve” by Franciscan Richard Hendrick

 

St. Brigid’s Eve 

This night, 

they would hang the cloths 

for birthing and healing

over the thorn branches 

for her blessing,

that as she walked the land 

the divine dew, twice sanctified 

by the dawn and the day both, 

might soak them sacred again 

and enrich them with this vigil’s virtue

for the passing of all pain.

This night,

they would sweep the hearth and house 

and bless the barn and the beasts,

settling the kine as Queens

in the golden hay of gratitude 

for their animal alchemy.

This night, 

they would leave out 

the old gifts of grace, 

the milk and the salt and the bread,

and light the lamp in the window 

with love for her,

their princess, passing in peace.

This night, 

the stranger that knocked 

would be welcomed and warmed,

invited to stretch their feet 

before the fire 

and offer a story to the circle.

This night, 

as the Moon rose over the mountains 

the old songs were sung,

and the women watched and waited

plaiting the rushes and the reeds

into ancient patterns of power.

This night,

as all surrender to sleep

she walks the land lightly,

breathing blessing, 

over barn and beast and babe,

she who fears no dark,

goddess named and God re-born,

by water and fire and blood,

in the Three who are One.

This night,

our ancient Abbess 

and lady of the Light,

of Kildare’s 

Oaken cell,

she whose cloak enfolds

the land she loves

comes by.

For this night,

is Brigid’s

night.

Source: Brother Richard's blog: mindful mystical musings.

Image: Dew on oak leaf in Toronto, Canada. Photo by Kyle Hinkson on Unsplash.

"a poem for Brigid" by Kelly, The Scarf Witch

 

a poem for Brigid

by Kelly, The Scarf Witch

Brigid, 
          artisan of duality 
          and keeper of the flame

You remind me to light the fire within
           atop the depths of the well
You remind me to find inspiration
          In the art of life 

Finding wisdom and healing 
          And forging protection 

Through the creative spark of innocence
          Delighting in the pleasure and beauty of the sun

 

 

 

February 1, 2024

 

 

Image and credit: this poem and the photograph of the pipe cleaner Brigit cross come from Kelly's blog, The Scarf Witch.

“Brigid” by Daniel Kelly

 

Brigid of the anvil,

Brigid of the flame,

Brigid of the healing hand,

She of exalted name.

 

Daughter of the Dagda,

Mother of Ruadan,

Goddess of the poet’s word,

And springing of the lamb,

 

Imbolc sees her rising,

Bringer of the dawn,

Sheep and Boar and Oxen,

Taught us how to mourn,

 

Patroness of Ireland

You live on in that name,

Turning water into beer,

Kildare’s eternal flame

Image: Originally posted on Folklounge (Daniel Kelly Music) Ballads, Folk Music and Life. To hear Daniel singing "Brigid" go to his YouTube page, Daniel Kelly Folk Music.