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



23 July 2017

“I Will Kindle My Fire” (Song) by Mael Brigde



I will kindle my fire this morning
in the presence of Brigit and her holy women.
Brigit, kindle in my heart within
a flame of love to my neighbour
to my foe, to my friend, to my kindred all
to the brave, to the knave, to the thrall
without malice, without jealousy, without envy, without fear
without terror of anyone under the sun.



Click here to hear the song on SoundCloud.




This is a reworked Scottish prayer. The original was collected in the Carmina Gadelica by Alexander Carmichael. I made the changes out of a desire to have a prayer I could use when I lit the flame at the start of my shift. The tune arose spontaneously as I recited the prayer.


   Original  Prayer:

       I WILL kindle my fire this morning
   In presence of the holy angels of heaven,
   In presence of Ariel of the loveliest form,
   In presence of Uriel of the myriad charms,
   Without malice, without jealousy, without envy,
   Without fear, without terror of any one under the sun,
   But the Holy Son of God to shield me.
        Without malice, without jealousy, without envy,
        Without fear, without terror of any one under   the sun,
        But the Holy Son of God to shield me.

God, kindle   Thou in my heart within
   A flame of love to my neighbour,
   To my foe, to my friend, to my kindred all,
   To the brave, to the knave, to the thrall,
   O Son of the loveliest Mary,
   From the lowliest thing that liveth,
   To the Name that is highest of all.
        O Son of the loveliest Mary,
        From the lowliest thing that liveth,
        To the Name that is highest of all.


     SourceCarmina Gadelica, Volume 1, by Alexander Carmichael, [1900], at sacred-texts.com, pg 231. Modified by Mael Brigde.

Image: Deutsch: “Bäuerin, am Herdfeuer sitzend”, English: “Peasant-woman sitting at the Hearth-fire”, by Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) (Wikimedia).

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