Showing posts with label Celtic Goddess. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Celtic Goddess. Show all posts

Sunday, May 12, 2013

May 11, 2013 Brigit: Sun of Womanhood


On Saturday, May 11, 2013 I joined an amazing group of presenters to celebrate the launch of new book Brigit: Sun of Womanhood.The evening began with prayers for Brigit lead by one of the book editors, Michael McDermott. He had many stories to share about how the book was compiled and also shared stories about his fellow editor and wife, Patricia Monaghan, who recently passed away. Ms. Monaghan was a spiritual leader in the Pagan community; one who inspired many to action.


Hearing not only Mr. McDermott speak of her but also Anne Key, Janet Berres and Eileen Rosensteel relate the contributions of Ms. Monaghan to the community, made me feel that I missed my chance to meet such a remarkable woman. I can however learn from the example she set, and continue her work becoming active in politics and continuing to pursue my Goddess scholarship.





Ms. Rosensteel, one of the contributors to Brigit: Sun of Womanhood, presented her poem, “Bard of Black Earth,” in tribute to Ms. Monaghan.


Not only was I inspired by the work of Ms. Monaghan, I was treated once again to the songs of Louise Cloutier. Watching her dig in her toes and sing with her whole body to the Goddess surges me with delight; I can only hope that one day I will produce even half of her effect.

I have run into Kiel Milner at many events at Life Force arts center. His runic toning for Brigit was interesting. I have wanted to work tonally with the runes and his presentation sparked some ideas.


Joan Forest Mage is the brilliance behind Life Force Arts Center. Her dance “Water of Life” was full of grace and expression. I learned later in the evening that one of the Goddesses to which Life Force Arts Center is dedicated is the Goddess Brigit.

It was really a pleasure to meet Szmeralda Shanel, another one of the contributors, to Brigit: Sun of Womanhood and also the book launch organizer. Her essay “My Blood Song” made me laugh and also sent shivers down my spine. Her essay concerned her personal work with the Goddess Brigit and her struggle to come to terms with her Celtic bloodline. It gave me new perspective on my own ancestral difficulties.

Shauna Aura Knight closed the evening with a communal song to Brigit.

It was an honor to be a part of such a powerful event. I was also pleased to learn of the publishing company, Goddess Ink. There are so many of their publications I want to purchase and absorb!







Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Brigit: Sun of Womanhood

At the Life Force Arts Center on Saturday, May 11, 2013 I will celebrate the launch a new anthology of poetry and essays edited by Patricia Monaghan and Michael McDermott honoring the Goddess Brigit, the Celtic Goddess of inspiration, poetry and the arts.  Brigit also crosses religious bridges as the Catholic saint, Saint Brigit. 

Along with some of the anthology's contributors, I will be one of the ritual artists performing works about this inspirational divinity.  Brigit has honored me by helping me to compose my song for Imbolc "On the Eve of Spring," from a new collection of original songs for the Wheel of the Year.   I also found that I invoked Her quite by accident on Imbolc of 2012.  I had been asked to sing an Invocation to Brigit for Her fire festival of Imbolc by Earth Traditions, I had been given a particular song to sing.  I'm always pressed for time, but I was even more compressed as I was struggling to complete my original musical The Alembic that was to be performed that September, and script deadlines were fast approaching.  The main character still needed his song and for the life of me I just couldn't write it!  But Imbolc took precedence on this day so I set my Alembic woes aside.  On my way to the Imbolc festival, I sang the requested song over and over again in my car.  Then just as I was about to sing through it again, the missing song suddenly popped into my head, absolutely complete.  I am forever grateful Brigit heard my unspoken prayer.

In addition to "On the Eve of Spring," written for Brigit, I honor Her with Her gifts to me "In Just One Moment" and "Faith," from The Alembic which debuted at the Chicago Fringe Festival 2012 with the amazing talent of my beloved performance troupe Terra Mysterium. 

Click here to join me on Saturday May 11, 2013!  Did I mention that it's a free event?