Brighde's Blessing Retreat

Thursday 31st January-Sunday 3rd February 2008

Four day non-residential retreat

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Honour Brighde in Her many aspects at Her special festival of Imbolc. Brighde is the ancient Goddess of Brigit’s Isles, where she is Bridie, Bride, Brid, Brigit and Bridget, Lady of Fire, of the Sun and Moon, of the Springs and Wells, the Divine Midwife, Bride of the Isles, Bride of the Fair Palms, Mary of the Gael, Her green cloak covers all the land that belongs to Her. She gives Her name to the land of Brigantia and to our tutelary (guardian) Goddess Britannia (Brigit-Ana). Once Bride was well known in these lands as Maiden, Lover, Mother and Crone, ruling all the directions, now She is most commonly honoured at Imbolc in Her Maiden form.

On this Bridie’s Blessing Retreat we will be honouring all Her aspects, especially those connected to Her four fires, the fire of inspiration and poetry, the fire of love, the fire of healing and the alchemical transforming fire of smithcraft. We will walk Her sacred swan landscape here in Glastonbury, join in local Bridie ceremonies, make pilgrimage to Bride’s Mound, and visit the holy wells where She is honoured here today. We will journey to meet Her and bathe ourselves in Her healing energies, letting go of the darkness of winter and opening ourselves to Her renewing fires. We will open our hearts to allow the seeds lying dormant within to be touched by Her quickening rod. We will make Bridie Dolls and Bridie Eyes. Bring ribbons, beads and materials to decorate yours. We will also make a healing girdle to wear when we offer healing in Her name.

There will be a special ceremony for those who wish to dedicate themselves as a Priestess of Brigdhe. Please bring white ceremonial clothing, veils and headdresses.