Stone on the Belly: September 2015

Writing Brigit

Writing Brigit

Many years ago I wrote my first Brigit prayer. Poem. Blessing... I have been writing them ever since, but seldom publish them. Some are carefully researched and crafted, some are simple and straight from the heart. (Belated update: I did eventually publish a book called A Brigit of Ireland Devotional - Sun Among Stars. It contains many of my Brigit poems and prayers, essays, and resources.)

The prayers and blessings of my sisters in the Daughters of the Flame and other Brigit-loving women and men, living and long-dead, fill me with surprise and delight, as well.

I would like to share some of these writings with you.

Following is the one that signs off each of my emails, a reminder to guide my words and intentions with care when I write to anyone. It's as good a place to start as any.

Flame Offering

In the name of the three Brigits

I light the candle of my heart

May I offer it to everyone

gentle and steady

warm and bright

Songs of the Oystercatcher: Honouring Brihde through the Wheel of the Year by Heather Upfield

25 September 2015

"Friend of Mary"

Not Brigit or Mary, but St. Lucy in the appropriate garb.

Friend of Mary

brilliant Bride

radiant flame—

Mary’s midwife

you eased tiny Jesus

into our world’s golden light

fostered him

as any Scottish noble would

wore a crown

—flaming harrow—

Mary’s shield from eager eyes

shy mother come for cleansing

after birth

words pass between you

whispered request for swaddling

quiet chuckle at your

irreverent babe-remarks

this woman of desert reaches

you of rocky isles

bound in ways that cleave through

place and time

what wise and wondrous

feat of prayer transported you

to her—long ages parted—

needy side

Mael Brigde

Copyright Casey June Wolf (2015)

To read more about this poem and the writing of it, please visit Another Fine Day in the Scriptorium.

"Goddess of Smiths"

Goddess of Smiths

breath dissolving iron

liquid bronze and gold

white heat who destroys

with one cruel blow

you guide the hammer Brigit

death and life together

forging to shatter

shattering to forge anew

and what is fashioned

cookpot for the hospitaller

vast enough to hold a cow

ale crock chariot furnishing

offering dish cloak pin

sword

beat me on your anvil Brigit

melt me in your pot

knit me solid

make me whole

bring from me a fine bossed cauldron

offering to your endless round

in this life and the next

this life and the next

First appeared in Brigit: Sun of Womanhood, edited by Patricia Monaghan and Michael McDermott.

09 September 2015

Early Days: Bríd's Chant

a small turn sunwise

in the weaving of the cross

the three‑armed cross of Bríd

another small turn

and the cross’s spinning done

and the tying of the ends and tucking in

a long glance up

to the trailing of the sun

to the long trailing strands of the goddess

filtering in through the curtain of the leaves

the curtain of the garment of the trees

This chant does have a tune. Sound quality is not great, but here goes anyway.

(Cross by E.E. Evans, in Irish Folkways)