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



09 January 2021

"Waking Charm" Redacted & Refracted by Chris Godwin

                                     

WAKING CHARM

 

THANKS be to You, Brighid,

Who brought me up from last night,

To the gladsome light of this day,

To win wholeness for my soul,

Through my birth You didst tend for me.

Praise be to You, A Bhandia, for ever,

For the blessings You didst bestow on me--

My food, my speech, my work, my health,

And I beseech You

To shield me from blight,

To shield me from ill,

To sain me this night,

And I lowly but mighty,

O Goddess of the mighty!

O Brighid of the hearth!

Give me wisdom along with your grace.

May the High One claim me,

And protect me on sea and on land,

And lead me on from step to step,

To the people of peace of the Everlasting Pasture,

The people of peace of the Everlasting Pasture!

 

 

Redacted and refracted from - Carmina Gadelica (1.41) by Chris Godwin:

Original prayer:

     

      URNUIGH MADUINN [41]

  

       TAING dhut   Iosda Criosda,

   Thug mis a nios o 'n oidhche 'n raoir

   Chon solas soillse an la 'n diugh,

   Chon sonas siorruidh a chosnadh dha m' anam,

   An cion na fal a dhoirt thu dhomh.

 

Cliu dhut fein   a Dhe gu brath,

   An sgath gach agh a bhairig thu orm--

   Mo bhiadh, mo bhriathar, mo ghniomh, mo chail,


   *        *        *        *        *        *

 

'S tha mi   griosad ort

   Mo dhion bho'n olc,

   Mo dhion bho lochd,

   Mo shian an nochd

   'S mi iosal bochd,

   O Dhia nam bochd!

   O Chriosd nan lot!

   Thoir ciall dhomh 'n cois do ghrais.

 

Gun coraich an   Ti Naomha mi,

   Gun comhnaich air muir 's air tir mi,

   'S gun treoraich o ir gu ir mi

   Chon sith na Cathair Shiorruiche,

          Sith na Cathair Shiorruiche.

 

 

        MORNING PRAYER

  

       THANKS be to   Thee, Jesus Christ,

   Who brought'st me up from last night,

   To the gladsome light of this day,

   To win everlasting life for my soul,

   Through the blood Thou didst shed for me.

 

Praise be to   Thee, O God, for ever,

   For the blessings Thou didst bestow on me--

   My food, my speech, my work, my health,


   *        *        *        *        *        *

 

And I beseech   Thee

   To shield me from sin,

   To shield me from ill,

   To sain me this night,

   And I low and poor,

   O God of the poor!

   O Christ of the wounds!

   Give me wisdom along with Thy grace.

 

May the Holy   One claim me,

   And protect me on sea and on land,

   And lead me on from step to step,

   To the peace of the Everlasting City,

          The peace of the Everlasting City!

     

      

Carmina Gadelica, Volume 1, by Alexander Carmichael, [1900], p. 96 -97, at sacred-texts.com

 Chris posted on Facebook this lovely Brigidine redaction of Uirnuigh Maduinn (Morning Prayer) from Vol. 1 of the Carmina Gadelica. 

Image: by Etty Fidele 

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