End of the Day

P1010628
Originally uploaded by hecatesbrat

Traveling back from one of my Winnipeg trips, I had to get out of the truck and take a picture of the setting sun.
It set in less than 5 minutes in total.

It was almost a sense of sadness, like a candle burning out when you needed it most. The sight however took my breath away and left me pleased to have captured some of the setting sun.

Day 15 - sunset Aug.18

I began my turn of the cycle on the evening of the 18th at sunset. As I lit the candle I noticed how much earlier the sun is setting since last time. It reminds me that autumn is drawing nearer and while there is still some summer left, we are getting closer to the time of year when there is more hours of darkness than light. For me the time of year between Mabon and Yule is my favorite, so I look forward to this. I thanked Brigid for helping to inspire me creativly over these summer months and asked her continueing help in this area. As I have this week off for holidays, it was wonderful to be able to have the flame lit during the day, and be able to spend the day working on my creative projects, honoring her. Finally, as the sun set on the envening of the 19th I celebrated the dark moon, and I honored her crone aspect. I look forward to my next turn in the cycle in 20 days time.
Lou

Day 17 - August 1st - Lughnasadh

Happy Lughnasadh (or Lammas) to those of you who celebrate it :)
Today has been very...as we say...auspicious. Not only is today Lughnasadh, but it is Day 17. My day to hold the Candle of Brighid
These days are always full of inspiration, inner-desires coming to the surface, and a kind of "full-moon" quality for me.
Inspiration, which is said to come as a fire from deep within, has seemed to come to me more like a little mushroom today...something coming out of nothing, needing loads of water and a certain amount of shade to pop up. Mushrooms are linked to the Full-Moon for me...could be the shape of the cap, and the color, or the fact that they come out of cool, shady spots...
I'm not sure if I can explain the connection, as it comes straight from my GREEN HEART.
But, today has been the day of all sorts of inspiring thoughts coming to the surface...I've wanted to make these necklaces, and crochet, and have been planning the colors to paint my kids' rooms, and thinking about creative scheduling and planning for the year,
playing in my garden and talking to my tomatoes (which have made one tiny green edible bubble - joy!!!)

I go into this evening with a cloud-burst outside, and think of how appropriate to the Goddess this is...all this heat, flame-like, and then a sudden burst of inspiration and creativity.

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As a side-note, if any of you haven't read Confessions of a Pagan Nun by Kate Horsley, I highly recommend it! It struck a cord deep in my bones, and I think it might for some of you.

Blessed Be & Peace! - Katie

7th Eve, July 2nd.

As the sun sank, I had started to lay out my paints and brushes for an unknown project. I had my candle ready to be lit on the far side of my art desk, and started my music. I lit my candle, and watched the flame engulf the wick. I had no idea what I wanted to work on or create that evening, but I knew I had to do something creative!
My music played on, and as I was rummaging around in my basket of things to be touched by creativity, I found myself singing along- which I hadn't done in a long time.
I'm not even sure what it was that I painted that evening, but I could feel my paintbrush being guided not by my own hand which I found was extremely freeing.
When it was time for bed, I transfered the flame of the physical to the internal l kept it going until the next mroing when I mentally passed it on to the next keeper

Setting Sun

As the sun sets I thank you.

For the strength to move through this day.

For the peaceful sleep of last night.

And for the fuel you graced to this humble keeper of your flame.

Shift 19 - Monday sunset to Tuesday Sunset

I carried the Flame in my heart as a group of us gathered in sacred space to drum away grief and drum up power and joy in living fully in each moment. The circle of women sang, we cried, we danced, we drummed, we wailed, we howled, we chanted, we invoked the Fire of Her Bright Spirit to be with us, to give us strength, to light the darkness, to melt the frozen places, to boil the righteous anger into action, and to make us feel and embody the passion of Her presence in all we do.

From a woman in her 70's to a woman of barely trips around the sun - from all paths of life, from all corners of the circle, we created the fire, we warmed ourselves with the warmth of sisterhood, we dried our tears of grief, and we went singing into the night.

And the next day - with a sore voice whispering Her name, and sore arms raised in prayer - I passed the Flame to She who Bends and Shapes us All.

Susan

welcoming Ian to the Circle

Greetings,

We welcome Ian to the Circle, and he will be taking Day 16.

Just to make sure we are all moving forward together - it is "sunset" on June 10th, and as the sun starts his descent into the mystery of night, so the Flame is being passed from Day 7 - Jazmine - to Day 8 - which does not yet have a flamekeeper - so we can all hold it in consciousness.

We have almost filled up our initial 19 - we only have Days 8, 10 & 14 remaining.

I look forward to hearing about your journey on your Flame Days - and am mindful that I also need to be more diligent in sharing my own Flame Day stories.

blessings of the Fire of Life,

Susan

From the Well to the Flame

Hello everyone.

I am very honoured to be a part of this circle. With my sun sign in water, and both my rising and moon signs in fire, I guess I am called on an elemental level to tend Brighid's flame.
I am an artist working in fibre (quilting, embroidery) and creative in every life aspect possible. Mothering is taking most of my time these days. Participating in this project allows me to step outside the usual routine and tend my inner flame along with Brighid's.
My ancestry is from the British Isles: Irish, Scottish and English. Brighid's energy is one that I often feel coursing through my veins, as much a part of me as my breath. The depths of her well amaze me repeatedly.

Many blessings to you all.

Jen

Welcoming a New FlameKeeper

Greetings,

We are blessed to welcome Jennie to the circle - and we look forward to her posting an introduction. She is taking the watch for Day 6.

Blessings of the approaching Solstice -

Susan