My first shift was amazing. I prepared the candle with essence of hawthorne in honour of my cill, and placed in a dish of water for safety and in honour of the sacred wells and spings linked with Brighid. Then with baited breath I struck the match and lit the candle and in that moment I could feel Bright, Beautiful Brighid with me. The flame danced and spiralled, I had clear forgotten how beautiful fire is! I was struck by the presence of my own inner flame, something I’ve not been too aware of before and Brighid chided me to take much more care of it, to shine like a beacon for Her in this world. I spoke the words of my oath and swore myself to Brighid as her Priestess, deepening an earlier vow and a deep sense of calm washed over me. I wanted to weep with joy, a sense of belonging and other emotions that I can not even put a name to. The whole room felt warm, fuzzy and enveloped in Brighid’s mantle. Even now there is inner calm in my soul, though my head is fired up with creativity and ideas. During my meditations I kept encountering the words pray, plan, prepare, pilgrimage and places of power. Accordingly I am now planning a pilgrimage to sacred sites and places of power associated with Brighid. I also felt inspired to get creative and made myself a bracelet in firey coloured crystal beads with celtic knot beads to wear when tending and as a reminder of my oath.

I feel as though my eyes, mind, heart and soul have been opened, cleansed and filled with a new found warmth, that burning flame of Brighid. The weather today was meant to be awful, but instead it was a bright sunny day and full of the radiant light and warmth of dear Brighid. I feel so blessed to have tended her flame today, to have spent time with Brighid, to be a part of the hawthorne cill and to be a part of this Ord, so thank you, all of you.

Bright Brighid Blessings!

Ceri

green as leaf on tree

newly blown

on the wind

Hands still, I walk

silent and serene

in the knowledge

that I walk alone

and never lonely

Light is reaching out over the hill

I take your hand

and walk into the dawn

that lights the grass

and never burns

Bride, lady of my night

lady of my morn

Rise ever and walk ever onward

blessing us with your grace.