Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Prologue: Invoking Brigid
My Journey to Brigid
About this Book
Chapter One The Source of the Flame
Brigid the Goddess
The Celts
The Flame Endures: Brigid the Saint
A Sun Among the Stars of Heaven
Brigid of Kildare
Brigid and Patrick
From Goddess to Saint to Goddess
Chapter Two Hearth: The Welcoming Flame
Céad Míle Fáilte: A Hundred Thousand Welcomes
The Door and the Threshold
Sacred Hospitality
The Place of Gathering
The Roof and the Floor and All Between
Brigid’s Cross
Blessing the Herd
Welcoming the Wee Folk
Shrine and Altar
Brigid in the Garden
Brigid in the Kitchen
Your Kitchen Hearth
Brigid’s Pantry
This Day and Every Day
Brigid’s Broom: Mindful Housecleaning
This Night and Every Night
Smooring the Fire
Chapter Three Temple: The Devotional Flame
Brigid and the Power of Three
The Triple Brigid
Triskele and Triquetra
Brigid’s Sisters
Brigid’s Celtic Kin
Sisters Across the Seas
Brigid and Mary
Brigid Between the Worlds
Brigid’s Earthly Journey: Seasons and Festivals
Imbolc
Seasons of Light and Dark
Brigid of the White Moon
The Spring Moons
The Summer Moons
The Autumn Moons
The Winter Moons
Brigid’s Earthly Allies
Birds, Beasts, and Fish
Plants
Stones
Brigid’s Sacred Places
Kildare
Holy Wells and Springs
Worship, Devotions, and Prayer
Léitheoireacht Diaga: Divine Reading
A Book of Devotions
The Pleasure of Prayer
The Genealogy of Brigid
Brigid’s Eternal Flame
Brigidine Sisters
Ord Brighideach
Flamekeeping: Time and Timelessness
Temporal Flames
Perpetual Flames
Invoking the Fire
Faithfulness and Compassion
Circle or Solitary?
Practical Flamekeeping
Chapter Four Forge: The Transforming Flame
Brigid the Creatrix
Soul Windows: Icons for Brigid
Spool and Spindle
Brigid the Jewelsmith
The Magics of Metals
Metalwork as Meditation
Coirníní Paidir Bríd: Prayer Beads for Brigid
Brigid and the Power of Words
Triads
Oaths and Vows
Preserving Your History
Brigid the Healer
Bathing in Brigid’s Well
Brigid’s Soul Forge
Brigid and Excellence
Sword and Shield
Brigid’s Ink: Celtic Tattoos
Immrama
Fire in the Head
Brigid the Midwife
Brigid at the Threshold of Death
Brigid the Foster Mother
Brigid Anam Cara
Good for the Soul
Song and Silence: Brigid’s Soul Restorers
Soulful Silence
Brigid of the Augury
Scrying
A Poetry Oracle
Emerging from the Forge: Your Name Poem
Chapter Five Tending Your Flame
Brigid’s Charity
Brigid the Activist
Nineteen Flames for Brigid
Resources
Contributors
Bibliography
Index
