A Druid’s Web Log – February 2020 Honoring the Goddess Brigid in an ominously warm spring

Those of us who celebrate the “Celtic Fire Festivals” have just ended our annual honoring of the Goddess and Saint “Brigid”, ancient patroness of smith craft, healing and poetry. On the eve of her festival (January 31) I always put out a Bride Doll, freshly made from wheat or other grasses, a “brat” or cloth to be laid on the shoulders of the sick, a basket of “clooties”, strips of cloth that can be tied on a tree near a holy well or to the neck of a sick animal, and a “Brigid’s Girdle”, a woven belt through which a person can step to be “born again” through Brigid’s good graces.

I leave a candle burning to guide Brigid to my door, along with an offering of cream and honey or oatmeal with cream, for her refreshment when she stops by. These are ancient Druidic observances, still performed in Ireland and other areas.

My friend Kate’s mother sent me this beautiful poem to honor Brigid and you can listen to it read by the author via the link;

The poem “Brigid” by Anne F. O’Reilly (inspired hugely by Mary Condren’s work.) Feel free to use it and share it with acknowledgements.

You can also listen to it on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user387447459

Brigid

These words will never carve
your image out of bog oak
but that is what they want to do
to dig down into the moist wetness
to touch the layers of centuries
that have made you
woman, goddess, saint
to see your shape emerge intact
from the dark earth.

My instruments are crude for such a work
the bog resistant to intruders
as an ancient tribal memory
in its dark and secret places.

But I must search out these roots
this memory as vital as breath.
I must drag this ancient oak
from the centre of the bog.

I will wait as I must
until I can see
the shape of what you were
and what you are.

The fine coat of resin
will preserve your beautiful shape intact
and I will call on you great woman
to grace me with a golden branch
and tinkling bells.
And I will polish you then with images of
sun and moon, cows, sheep, serpents, vultures,
bags, bells, baths and sacred fires
so that you become a fiery arrow
and breathe life into the mouth of dead winter

O beautiful vessel still intact
where we have unearthed you,
remind us of your many manifestations
and let us smile again in memory
of when doddering Mel pronounced you bishop
or your cloak spread over
the green fields of Kildare.

You who turned back the streams of war
whose name invoked stilled monsters
in the seas
whose cross remains a resplendent,
sparkling flame
come again from the dark bog
and forge us anew.

Anne F. O’Reilly
Breathsong 2010

I have been a practicing herbalist and Druid since the early 1980’s. I am also a flower essence practitioner. Flower essences are made by exposing a crystal bowl full of flowers and water to sunlight for four full hours on a cloudless day. The color and form of the flower imparts its healing virtue, a kind of light therapy. I recently went through my boxes to see which vials were empty, having been the most used and prescribed. I found that “Penstemon”, a hardy little flower that grows in high mountains in thin soil and seems to thrive on the struggle, and “Scotch Broom”, a courageous plant that inhabits Scotland where the Arctic winds bear down in winter and yet never withers or turns brown, even in the darkest season, were the most used plants in my collection.

I think this says something about the times we are in. The Corona Virus is slowly creeping across the planet, causing fears of a pneumonic plague, and the senate has just completed a sham “trial” of our current miscreant president, blocking any documents or witnesses. Many fear we have already lost the Constitution that the founders so thoughtfully created for us, after ditching a monarchy in England. And the ever widening climate crisis with its wild fires and rising seas is a constant background of worry for most of us (others are still caught in the spell of denial cast by the fossil fuel companies). We live in fraught times.

We have had a very mild winter so far. So mild that the snow drops are blooming in my friend Kate’s garden. That’s a bit ominous since they usually don’t blossom until May or even June in these parts. There is an old saying: “When the winter is warm, the graves will open”. I am still hoping for a strong nor’easter with plenty of snow, before this winter expires.

It is worth remembering that worry has always been part of the human condition. At times it was the anxiety that a carnivore might attack the family. Or it was fear that the Huns would appear over the next hill. Many of us still face a struggle just to find food and shelter. Somehow we have to find peace in the midst of all the angst. We cannot change the circumstances we are in, but we can change our attitude towards those events.

My prayer for Imbolc is that we find peace within our current circumstances. May Brigid bless the work.

BOOK NEWS

A little interview I did recently
The newest Herbal “The Sacred Herbs of Spring” (April 2020) is getting its first reviews;
“Plant lore, uses, and recipes fill The Sacred Herbs of Spring. I also loved the vintage art found in the book. I’m really glad I got to read this and can’t wait to buy a copy to explore more.
I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.” Lindsay W.

“Anyone who loves green magic, green medicine, and green hearts will delight in Ellen Evert Hopman’s newest book: The Sacred Herbs of Spring. From altar to stove, from pharmacy to arcane lore, we are guided skillfully, carefully, and eruditely. Welcome fairies. Welcome spring. Welcome a wonderful new book.”
Susun S Weed, Wise Woman Herbal Series

“Beautifully illustrated, The Sacred Herbs of Spring is definitely a book to keep on a shelf in the heart of your home as you’ll be reaching for it often. It is a veritable feast of knowledge covering: useful references for Beltaine, Celtic folk knowledge, Faerie lore, and herbal uses and recipes. The book is a springtime cornucopia of sacred knowledge and Celtic wisdom.”
– Gary & Ruth Colcombe, Celtic Myth Podshow

The Magical Herbs of Beltaine contains the standard features that make Hopman’s herbal books so useful: a primer on herbal preparation, a discussion of medicinal uses of herbs, and recipes using herbs of the season. A must-have for those looking to enhance their Beltaine festivities.
Morven Westfield, author of The Old Power Returns

Ellen Evert Hopman’s new book The Sacred Herbs of Beltaine enchants us into the history and lore of the Celtic healing and magical plants. This amazing book weaves together the magick of sacred herbs with wonderful recipes that teach us the healing powers of Beltaine as well connect us to the faery folk. Her easy to follow herbal formulas and remedies will fill the beginner as well as the advanced practitioner with inspiration and magick of the herbal spirits.
– Chris Allaun author of ‘Underworld: Shamanism, Myth, and Magick’ and ‘Upperworld: Shamanism and Magick of the Celestial Realm’

The powers of The Sacred Herbs of Beltaine go much beyond their medicinal preparations. Hopman takes us on an enchanted journey into the world of fairies and elves, spirits that lead us along an avenue into the otherworld, the world beyond. She offers many recipes and uses for these herbs, whether medicinal, for feasting, or to be used ceremonially at Beltaine, uses that bring us to the real healing, protective, divining and purifying powers of the sacred herbs.
Nicholas Brink, Ph.D. Author of Beowulf’s Ecstatic Trance Magic; and Ecstatic Soul Retrieval: Shamanism and Psychotherapy.

Pre-order a copy here !

EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS

I will present at the Midwest Women’s Herbal Conference
May 29, 30 & 31, 2020 • Almond, WI
I will speak at Hex Fest August 7-9, 2020
New Orleans, LA

*You can always order signed copies of all my books from this site , sign up for my Moonthly blog, and keep up with workshops and other news at the site*

*Below you will find the last Moonth’s round up of Archaeology, Herbal news, Health, Climate, Nature, Fairies, Arts, Ethics and Celtic news. Enjoy!*