{"id":40386527,"date":"2021-08-24T13:00:38","date_gmt":"2021-08-24T13:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.illuminatingspark.com\/?p=40386527"},"modified":"2021-08-24T13:00:38","modified_gmt":"2021-08-24T13:00:38","slug":"the-illuminating-spark-a-brigit-of-ireland-devotional-sun-among-stars-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.illuminatingspark.com\/?p=40386527","title":{"rendered":"The Illuminating Spark: A Brigit of Ireland Devotional- Sun Among Stars Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

A review of an upcoming book that honors Brighid in Her many different forms. <\/h2>
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(Image description: A promotional photo of Mael Brigde, an older woman with short, brown hair and glasses who is smiling. She is wearing a coat with a subtle brown and white pattern. Next to her photo is a picture of her book A Brigit of Ireland Devotional Sun Among Stars. Gold text against a tan square reads A Brigit of Ireland Devotional Sun Among Stars By Mael Brigde. Below it is a light green rectangle with black text that reads 28 August 2021, 1-2:30 PM Pacific Time, On Zoom and Facebook Live. Each part of the image are against a green background.)<\/p>

Mael Brigde\u2019s poetry and informative insights shine brightly on her journey with Brigit, goddess, saint, friend, and other figures bearing Her exalted name!<\/p>

When Mael Brigde announced that she was putting out a devotional, I was eager to read it and requested a PDF copy of the new book. As a note, she uses the Brigit spelling, while I spell the name Brighid; I will use Brigit for titles found in the book or when it\u2019s referring to the author\u2019s relationship with Her.<\/p>

Mael Brigde is well-known in Brighidine circles through her blogs, as a speaker at conferences, a teacher of three Brigit courses at the Mystery School of the Goddess, and as the founder of the flamekeeping group Daughters of the Flame, who rekindled Brighid\u2019s flame during Imbolc 1993 concurrently as the Catholic Brighidine Sisters in Kildare, Ireland did. <\/p>

A Brigit of Ireland Devotional \u2013 Sun Among Stars<\/em> is mostly comprised of her poetry, and there are many useful articles in it as well. She included a daily devotional, a breakdown of different Brigit figures, glossary, pronunciation guide, and commentary of how the poems reflect her journey with Brigit over time. Resources on Irish Polytheism, the Irish language, general Irish topics, and Brigit are listed as well. The book will be released in online bookstores on August 27th in the UK and on September 1st in Canada and the US.<\/p>

Some of the themes featured in the poems remind me of ideals I aspire to or experiences I resonate with. I have selected a handful of poems that really grabbed my attention and am sharing my thoughts on them. <\/p>

\u201cBrigit\u2019s Hermit\u201d conveys the simplicity and joy found in seeing the home as a monastic cell. Mael Brigde sees herself as a self-ordained monk of sorts, tidying her cell, welcoming in her animal neighbors, and leaving her cell to venture into the wider world and returning as needed. Her fondness for her sacred space is apparent, and I hope to view my home in this manner the further I go along on this path.<\/p>

\u201cCill Dara- Cell of the Oak\u201d reminds me of the physical and spiritual qualities found in oaks. It recalls the past of Irish myth and shows its closeness to Brigit\u2019s heart. It also grounds the oak\u2019s place in nature, being a home for different animals. Given my affinity for the oak, the poem beautifully illustrates the tree\u2019s important traits.<\/p>

\u201cPrayer with Cancer\u201d is both a somber and hopeful piece. It recalled my own scare I had with cancer earlier this year and mirrored the refuge that Brighid provided during that difficult time. I also asked for Brighid\u2019s healing and for Her to help me in coping with all of the uncertainties found with the disease.<\/p>

\u201cEverywhere\u201d encourages seeing Brighid\u2019s presence in unlikely places. In the poem, three ordinary people in a marketplace represent some of Her different aspects as they go about their tasks. The poet goes on to express her understanding that Brigit is visible in the most mundane of places, breaking past the everyday gloom with Her radiance!<\/p>

\u201cContemplations\u201d expresses the doubt and shortcomings many devotees feel when they attempt to match up to their deities\u2019 measure. Mael Brigde is no exception in her feeling that her contemplation and extolment for Brigit may not be enough. The poem serves as a good reminder of that recurring emotion and of the happiness that can still be found with our deities, even with our perceived inadequacies.<\/p>

The poetry is verdantly rich and inspiring for contemplative purposes, and I can see myself coming back to the book again and again. The academic resources on Brighid are useful for everybody and are helpful to comprehend the multi-faceted goddesses and people known as Brig or Brighid. I highly recommend A Brigit of Ireland Devotional-Sun Among Stars<\/em> for Pagan or Christian devotees of Brighid, Celtic Polytheists of any kind, poetry lovers, and contemplative types who are always on the lookout for sources of inspiring beauty!<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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