Imbolc will soon be upon us dear friends. As you can imagine this highday is of
particular importance to me. It always
has been, but this year especially since I am focusing my spiritual work with
Brighid this y ear. Sassafras grove back
east does nine days of devotionals to the goddess Brighid leading up to
Imbolc. Each day they focus on a
different quality or aspect associated with our modern concepts of
Brighid. They are kind enough to share
their ideas and meditations with ADF and I have been working along with
them. Today would be day three.
Day 1: Brighid as midwife: Traditionally this was a literal concept, that
Brighid was the midwife to Mary and was invoked during times of childbirth by midwives
assisting at births. Though this may
very well be a purly Christian mythos, I certainly can see the connections as a
pagan if Brighid is the goddess of flame and hearth, and the hearth is the
center of the home, then she is also a goddess of the home and family and by
that a goddess to invoke to aid in the birth as it was going to be in the home,
near the hearth and a new member of that hearth fire. As a man in my own spiritual life I have to
use this facet of the goddess as a metaphor. In what way has she been a midwife in my life
this past year? As midwife Brighid has
helped me to birth a new career as an RN at a local hospital. Getting through my schooling was one of the
hardest things I have ever done, and long time readers may recall that
struggle. As midwife Brighid is
currently helping me bring into the world my new self as a Druid Priest in
ADF. I see her at work with a woman who
is just beginning her first steps along a pagan path.
Day 2: Brighid as foster-mother: Fostering was a common and powerful social
glue used in Celtic culture. It tied
families together, created alliances and secured trade, peace, and family
lineages. Today we no longer carry on
fostering as our Celtic ancestors did, though we do have a system. As an aspect of the goddess this again ties back to her being the goddess
of the hearth flame, the center of the family unit traditionally, and thus the
goddess of hearth, home, and family.
Simply put Brighid is the foster mother of us all. She is here to teach, guide, cajole, scold,
congratulate and support. In her we have
the opportunity to find the mother we didn't have in this world. In my personal life, goddess is teaching me
about healing, compassion, balance, finances, mentoring, and time management,
depression, and addiction to name a few.
Much of this "education" has not been pleasant to learn or
easily gained. In the end it's wisdom
that I am getting, and wisdom is hard won.
If Odin was willing to lose an eye for it, I am sure I can withstand a little ego
bruising.
Stay tuned for Day 3-9!
Blessings of the Kindred on you all.
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