Brigid (Celtic)
I am she
that is the natural
mother of all things,
mistress and governess
of all the elements
the initial progeny of worlds,
chief of the powers divine,
Queen of all that are in the otherworld,
the principle of them
that dwell above,
manifested alone
and under one form
all of the gods and goddesses
Lucius Apuleius
Gospel of the Witches, 1899,
controversial book by Charles Godfrey Leland
Bridgid is particularly germane to modern witches, because she is thought to be the bridge between Celtic-based branches of witchcraft and the old ways.
Her reputation for traveling between worlds makes her particularly sympathetic to witches on Qwest. In other dimensions for scholarly witches to seek to restore and to preserve a history of Magic. She is supreme God, to midwives and healers. In a version of "if you can't beat them, join them" she was made to St. by Christians, because the Irish, could be persuaded to relinquish most pagan practices, would not budge regarding worship of Bridget. In welcome to domestic matters
Whiches's holy days
As a rule, witches honor nature. Even cyber witches notice the change of seasons. Based on the reconstruction of the old ways of Western European pagans, there are eight festivals, or Sabbats, that Mark the year , as it moves through a revolution of seasons. This cycle is often called the wheel of the year, the eight festivals . Each representing a spoke, the four major Sabbats are important astronomical event.
The four minor Sabbats help mark time and occasions. The four major Sabbats, high holy days, are:
the day of shortest light, Yule
the day of longesrt light Litha,
today is of equal day and night:Ostra and Mabon
the four minor Sabbats occur on fixed dates at Cross quarter points, each halfway between the major Sabbats.
Imbolc is a cross quarter fixed date , February 2
My topic for the weekly pagan project, I would like to talk about Bards, recently I ran across stories and music from the Celtic world by Hugin the . Stories and music from the Celtic world. Published in 1998 by Llewellyn publications, St. Paul, Minnesota USA.
The author of this book and songs, sheet music included Hugin the Bard was born under the sun sign of Leo in the year the English repealed their witchcraft laws. 1951. His birthplace Minneapolis, Minnesota is a land with a full range of seasons, per-person winters, scorching summers.
He was born into a large family, many of whom share the gifts of psychic ability, to one degree or another. Some of his family members, praying, study and worship together in the arts, magically.
Hugin has studied both Wiccan and Native American. He has been a musician since 1963, sometimes performing professionally with the likes of Pete Seeger and country Joe McDonald.Hugin has always been ready to share his music with those wanting to hear it. On the solstice, that may be a group of modern pagans or a group of Native Americans at a powwow at other times, his audience has been workers struggling for their rights on a picket line, inner city youths trying to avoid the dangers of substance abuse, seniors caught in societies that neglect, or just a small group of friends around a camp fire.
A Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War era. Hugin knows what it means to be a peaceful warrior or a warrior for peace which he is in his heart and spirit
Bardic Copyright
I declare before the gods that I Hugin the Bard , did write the songs, lyrics, and arrangements set forth.
Any who would share these songs with friends, covins or other like kindred may rest assured they are complying wishes of the author and the Muse. If you would also share the origin of the songs , the ego of the author would be well fed. Those who would reproduce any of this material for profit are advised to consult the federal and international copyright laws and the publisher of this manuscript leaves the weight of a karmic retribution fall heavily upon all aspects of our lives. I of sierras Creations blog , seek no profit, and only wish to share this author at his beautiful music. So mode it be
Candlemas IMBOLIC OimealgO glorious choise star, o tree in bloom, mighty torch for whom all would choose, sun who warm everyone from Murphy, early Irish lyr
For the stars and the winds unto her
as rainment, as songs of the harp player
for the risen stars and the fallen cling to her,
and the southwest wind and the West wind, sing.
Alegermon Swinburne " When the Hounds of Spring"
Imbolic , the festival of the lactating ewes, marks the midpoint of the dark half of the year. The fire that Brighid first kindled at Yule burns bright in this swollen bellies of pregnant herd animals, and rivers of milk began to glow in swollen teats and utters. Agricultural tools are consecrated for the work of the year ahead, household fires or put out and relit, and fires of the smithy are blessed by a woman acting on Brighid's behalf.
Brighid's crosses, woven of wheate, are made and given a protective charms for the home.Brighid's snake emerges from the womb of the Earth mother. To test the weather (this is the origin of ground hog Day) . Even the climate seems to mark the festival; the first week of February, typically brings a temporary thall. Corn dollies are fashion from oat straw or wheat, and dress and carry from door to door by young girls onImbolic Eve. Each household bestows a small present on the image of the bride. Special cakes are baked for the occasion, and a feast and a dance or held for all. The older women of the community gather "brides beds" or cradles for the corn dollies to sleep in, and magic wands for the dolls to hold. The morning after the feast, everyone examines the ashes of the hearth to see if a magic wand has left marks. If so, it is a good omen for the following year.
In some areas,Imbolic , marks the first official day of ploughing, and a decorated plough is dragged from door to door. Children in costumes, follow the plough and ask for gifts of food, money, or drink at every home. Any household that refuses them is pay back by having his front garden ploughed up.
The ploug itself is a significant symbol of the Imbolic ceremonies. Whiskey, the water of life is poured over the blade or pieces of bread and cheese are left on it to become food for nature spirits. Offerings of food or drink or placed in the new furrows or thrown into the fields
Some Ledgens for Imbolic:
If, Candlemas Day is fair and bright,
Winter will have another flight
If, on Candlemas Day be showers and rain,
Winter is gone, and will not come again.
Also
If the sun shines bright on Candlemas Day,
The half of the winter's not yet away
Or
If the headge hog in Pa. sees his shadow....winter is still .
These sayings agree with those about Groundhog Day. That link the length of winter to weather or not the groundhog sees his shadow on this day.
OUT OF THE COULDRON
She left me that night, but she will always be deep in my heart, I do not love much and I know it was kinder to put her down than for her to remain.
So, I dedicate this to my special little Malkin cat always in my heart. Forever to be loved. I miss you Kitty Kat.
