2007 marked the beginning of Daughters of Her Sacred Flame on beautiful Denman Island- a tradition initiated by Keepers of Brighid's Flame in joyful solidarity with our sisters worldwide:



"In solidarity with the Keepers of Brighid's flame in Eire, and our sisters everywhere, those of us who join hands on this sacred path...

In reverance for the community of life,
Work together to further compassion and justice,
For humanity and the earth."

Blessed Be!

Daughters of Her Sacred Flame represents but one, specific tradition in honor of Brighid. Imbolc has been, and continues to be, celebrated in many unique and wondrous ways around the world, including right here in my own beloved community.

Daughters of Her Sacred Flame gatherings have varied in size, format and location since the very first ritual here invited other women to join in the sacred task of care-taking Brighid's holy fire, gifted from Keepers of the Flame in Kildare, Ireland.

They reflect, as all rituals do, both the individual energies and the collective focus of the women present. The interconnected constants that define DoHSF gatherings as a living traditon, are: 1) Beginning at the ocean's edge to collect waters from/for Brighid's Holy Well... 2) Sharing Brighid's Sacred Flame from Kildare, Ireland in sacred space with special chants and other devotional intent... 3) Celebration through activities specific to Brighid's gifts of inspiration, peacemaking, healing, poetry, creativity, intuition, divination, forging, transformation, etc... 4) Also honoring Brighid's Holy Well, along with Her eternal Flame, in the context of the Wheel of the Year and it's changing seasons.. 5) Mindfully fostering ecofeminist conscious, safe space for women and all sentient beings- 'vegetarian/vegan friendly!'

Her Living Flame Rises Again!

Below are a few altar photos from our very first Daughters of Her Sacred Flame Brighid's ritual, on Denman, Feb. 2nd, 07. Together we sang Her praises, opened our hearts to Her guidance, created blessed corn dollies in Her honor, wove our intentions into bread to be forged in Her sacred hearth, shared poetry, story, and more... Merry Meet, and Merry Part, and Merry Meet Again!

Great Brighid, my Goddess, Your fire fills my heart, I live in Your beauty, Your wisdom, Your art. Please stay with me always, The spark of my way, to guide me and teach me, oh Queen of the Fey, To know that I name thee my honor's desire, my signpost, my touchstone, my Goddess of Fire.

...all things come to fruition according to my reason. I am the life-giving Mother, wondrously fertile.

Nourishment for the seed of life contained within ourselves...

I am the beginning and the forever. When you have need of Me, remember that I dwell in the space of your breath. I am the Ancient One of the dark earth and sacred waters. Look for the silvery moonlight dancing on the water. There I will be...
The fire of inspiration infuses the realms and links all beings to the inner fire of divinity. I hold this flame in my heart as I from this place depart.

Western Altar

"Oh, Lady Brighid Lady of the Wells, Lady of the Hearthfire, Lady of the Healing Hands,
Bless me with wisdom, Bless me with love, Bless me with health!

Your Invitation!

From January, 2007:

On Friday evening, in the Back Hall, sacred space created for the purpose of honoring Brighid, and our spiritual quests as circle sisters who share the magical path throughout the old Celtic wheel of the year, awaits those who feel called. Come to honor Brighid, and to rededicate yourself to a personal task, process or journey; come to invoke healing, guidance, and/or inspiration at Brighid's well.

Come to seek vision, in Her holy flame or bright waters; come to be transformed and to shed winter's cloak in anticipation of new growth and regeneration. Please plan to arrive in sacred space and be welcomed therein, between 7:30 pm and 7:45 pm. The sanctuary will be held in silence, save for soft background music and the occassional chant anyone who is present is welcome to join in on.

How long you spend in ritual or meditation will be up to you, and whatever guidance you seek from the Goddess. Brighid's gifts await, for you to contemplate, enjoy, create, sample, and share. You may also wish to offer any wreaths or gardlands to the fire available (those created for ceremonies past are traditionally released at Imbolc), so feel free to bring those along. This is not a public gathering and you will be intimately supported in the company of only a small handful of other female friends.

This Imbolc offering is extended as a part of my own personal dedication as a keeper of Brighid's flame in solidarity with other devotees worldwide, but most especially in Ireland and Scotland this year, with support from my sisters, and beloved partner. Please read on below for a little herstory and further information! You may wish to bring a cushion for chair or floor comfort ...there will be hands-on activities for you to engage in if you so choose, and altars at which to meditate. Also, please bring your own unscented candle and holder, if you wish to light it from Brighid's flame. Blessed Be, So Mote it Be!


Photo: It is an ancient Celtic custom to tie clooties (rags, or strips of cloth) to wishing trees by holy wells in order to engender healing for oneself or another, or simply as offerings. This one is next to the Hill of Tara, from where one can see all four corners of Brighid's Emerald Isle.

A little Herstory

From January, 2007: Brighid's Holy Day will be celebrated this year in Kildare, Ireland, by devotees of both the Goddess Brighid and Saint Brighid from around the world. For many She is one and the same, and a bridge between the worlds. 2oo7 marks the centenary of the re-establishment of an order of Brigidine Sisters in Kildare. (in 1807 by Catholic Bishop Delaney, who in commemoration planted an oak tree which still stands today in Cill Dara- meaning, Church of the Oak). On Feb. 1st, 2006, the President of Ireland lit Brighid's Sacred Flame in the town square where it will continue to burn in perpetuity.

Last year I was blessed to have Brighid's flame passed on to me twice in Ireland. First of all by Mary, pictured below with her holy candle, and then by the Sisters of the Brigidine order who were responsible for rekindling Brighid's flame at a Peace Conference in 1993, re-invigorating this ancient link to pre-Christian Ireland that had been forced underground after the perpetual flame was extinguished by a Pope in the 1600's. It is speculated that the flame may have originated up to 1000 years earlier, with the Goddess inspired Druidic priestesses that long preceeded the advent of Saint Brighid's egalitarian monastic order in the 5th century AD.

Coincidentally, I was also gifted the flame in the early 90's here in Canada from a circle sister just returned from Kildare. In solidarity with cells of flame keepers now spread around the world, I look forward to sharing Brighid's healing light this Imbolc with other sisters in my own community who hear Her call!