Welcoming a New Flamekeeper to the Circle

We welcome a new Flamekeeper to our Circle - Katie from Oregon.  You can visit her blogs at 

 www.intothewoode.blogspot.com and at www.sparrowscottage.blogspot.com  

She will be taking Day 17, and we look forward to sharing Light, Warmth and Sacred Space with her.

In the Lady's Name,

Susan

Day 15

Orange and purple sunset
Firelight in the sky
The evening darkens
Lighting the candle
Brightens my heart
Inside I am glowing
Like the fire in the sky

March 25th; 5th Night

My night as flamekeeper, the fifth day was partially done in the ER.

It was my last day for my ER clinical rotations and even though I couldn't hold a candle or a flame, there were many lights that could have acted as one for me.

The EKG monitors in the nurses station had flickers of yellow and red; aptly colored for flame, the changes of the heart causing the lights to change. From yellow to red and then of course we would check on them to make sure they were okay, even though we could tell by the monitors.

No physical flame, but one held mentally.

For the rest of the night once home, I kept the mental flame. To light a candle seemed to almost diminish the connection I had with the fire of Brighid. Perhaps it was because I held it in my mind and within my soul for the start of the night.

I was awake until the sun crept it's way into my room. I thought of passing the light on and gave into the sleep my body wanted.

It was interesting to start this at work and to carry it through at home.

My Night of Light

It was my first time lighting a candle that had such an ancient history attatched to it- or rather being mindful of the history behind the reason for lighting it. I've lit plenty of candles for other dieties, but nothing that has been carried on in such a rich tradition.
I picked a votive candle and a glass holder and thought of all the women (and men) before me that had held their match to the wick - and goosebumps came over me.

I think I"ll be painting the votive holder to distinguish it from the other candle holders in the house.

At the moment, this is all I have to share. I'm sure there will be more later!
Jazmine

the light of day 3...oh candle of mine

i did light the candle on this fair night
for Brighid for hearth and home
and upon my statue i saw a light...
that was not one of my own..
it glowed so fair it glowed so bright...
but did not come from anywhere
must have been brighid herself..
showing me that she was there.

indeed a message so small it seems might have gone easily astray
but there was acknowledgement for me there... and i will tend the flame another day

Day 2 - The Flame Glows

I got home from a wonderful dinner just as the sun was setting. We already had a candle and holder picked out for this. So I hurried off to gather it up and set it on the alter. As the sun dipped below the horizon a few minutes later I lit it.

It was a feeling of being apart of something bigger, something that could easily have a global base. With the candle lit I returned to the tasks I knew must be done with a renewed vigor. A bit of writing and a bit of house work. I had the urge to set aside my regular project and worked on Questions of Faith, a much more spiritual project then the others.

Brighid was there and she moved on. Leaving a small piece of herself and her flame with me to connect me with the others and as a reminder of our time together until the next time.

Crossed posted to http://betweentheticks.blogspot.com

AS #1 Brighid follower, I find myself weak in the knees when I am"receiving"the flame. I never feel worthy, but to have it passed to someone else would do me in. I am "in the space"for about 48 hours and find it hard for everyday life. I talk to her all the time. I feel fine when she is near.
She shows me the way, she lights my soul. She is the driver in my volvo of life.
I look forward in sharing this with you all. I feel a t-shirt coming on...

Lisa, daughter of Brighid.

Day 20 - Brighid takes the Flame

and spreads Her mantle over all of us.

Mighty Brighid, keeper of the flame,
blazing in the darkness of winter.
O goddess, we honor you, bringer of light,
healer, exalted one.
Bless us now, hearth mother,
that we may be as fruitful as the soil itself,
and our lives abundant and fertile.

Counting Down to Day 20 - Brighid's Day

Blessings of the Hammer and Anvil to you, My Sisters and Brothers of the Flame and the Well,

We are in the final weeks of Preparation, as we prepare ourselves to embark on this great new journey as Flamekeepers of the Goddess Brighid.

We will begin our observance on Day 20 - March 15th at Sunset - when Brighid will take care and custody of Her Flame and watch over us all. On Day 1 - March 16 at Sunset, Brighid will pass the Flame to Lisa, and our first Brighidine Cycle will begin.

In the interim, I will continue to add the Flamekeepers to the mechanics of this blog, to allow each of us to post our thoughts - large, small, fleeting, profound, exploratory, revelatory - whatever they may be. I have assigned the days based on first response, and adjusted as best I could for duplicate requests. Happy to change what needs changing. There is more to be done, and it shall be done (but not tonight).

If there are others who wish to join us in this Observance of Dedication, please contact me, and I will gladly share our vision to see if we shall walk together for a while. You can see the days available. And should we exceed 19, we can begin to double up for each day. It can be an individual or a family observance - it is up to each person to determine what is best for them.

We are creating-bending-shaping something - and through that, we create ourselves anew.

Blessings of the Lady of the Forge, (for this is how She appears to me - your vision may vary)
Susan (19)