Invocation to Brigid

Brigid's Day/Candlemas
Color: Red and white
Element: Fire
Altar: Upon a red cloth light as many candles as you can, as well as a Brigid's cross, a hammer and an anvil, a pen, a bowl of water, and a sword.
Offerings: Brigid's crosses, twisted of twine or rope. Acts of creativity.
Daily Meal: Red food.

Ritual Note: Like all the eight high holidays, this day should ideally be spent not enclosed and isolated, but in common with the larger Pagan community. This can be done a number of ways, including spending the day elsewhere, at the Brigid's Day ritual of another group or tradition, or by inviting in those Pagans who would otherwise not be able to attend a ritual. Either way, the eight holidays should be a time of remembering the place of the house in the greater community. If the choice is made to go elsewhere, then no liturgy is needed for the day. If the choice is made to bring the greater community into the lesser one, the following ritual can be used:

(First four who have been chosen to do the work of the ritual cast the quarters with blade, candle, chalice, and hammer. Use the Imbolc Quarter Calling for Brigid.)

Invocation to Brigid

Lady of the Sacred Flame,
Warrior woman with hair like fire
Smith who shapes us
Into tools to change the world,
Give us strength and voice
And hands that do your work
Willingly, of our own choice.
Lady of the Holy Well,
Healer woman who knows wounds
Careful hands who stroke us
Into hearts that change the world,
Give us eyes that see true
And hands that offer help
Willingly, in honor of you.

(Each comes forth and gives thanks for something which has come to them in the past year, and asks for something that they wish for Brigid's aid in achieving. As they do this, they light the candles one by one, singing the Brid chant. Then the quarters are dismissed and the visitors go to feast in the kitchen.)

Photography by CEllen.