![\"The](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/2126\/2023\/11\/Brighid1PD.jpg\")
Bride (Brighid)
The Coming of Bride by John Duncan (1917)\/Public Domain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>
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I\u2019ve always found it to be interesting that some deities are more likely to make themselves known to you more quickly than others. In my case, Cernunnos was the deity that first welcomed me into paganism. While I had a feeling Brighid was near, the Goddess of The Flame was slower in her approach.<\/p>\n
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Who is Brighid?<\/strong><\/h2>\nBrighid is quite prominent in many different cultures<\/a><\/strong> and a few different theologies\/mythologies. She is known by many names: Bride, Brigantia, St. Brigid, Brigit, Brigid, and Brighid. Her name means \u2018Exalted One\u2019 in Gaelic. If you are a Catholic, you most likely have heard of St. Brigid of Kildare. She is the Patroness Saint of Ireland and was the Abbess of the Kildare Abbey. If you are a Pagan, your tradition probably knows her best as Brighid or Bride, the Goddess of the hearth, smithcraft, poetry, healing, and the flame.<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hearing The Call<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe Goddess of The Flame can be encountered in many ways. For me, she existed on the sidelines of my practice for a decent amount of time. I felt her support, but I didn\u2019t really hear her call until I moved into becoming a contemplative. The flame she holds is what draws us toward her, like a light in the darkness. I chose to follow slowly, which is precisely what I was asked to do.<\/p>\n
Some of what we know about Brighid isn\u2019t clear. Her origins<\/a><\/strong> lack a lot of historical evidence, but she still remains a significant figure thousands of years later. Why? Well, there\u2019s something that exists in her story and mythology that means much more to us than historical accuracy. This we can be sure of: When Brighid calls and we choose to follow, she becomes one of the best spiritual allies and teachers we could hope for.<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Monastic Implications<\/strong><\/h2>\nWhile there are many different Monasteries and Abbeys devoted to St. Brigid around the world<\/a><\/strong>, they are mostly of Catholic or Celtic Christian origin. While Pagan Monasticism has existed in one form or another for thousands of years without being recognized as being \u2018monastic\u2019, modern Pagan Monasticism tends to keep Brighid as a central figure of devotion in many traditions.<\/p>\nAs a Monk, I took my vows at Beltane of this year, 2023. They were the vows of Obedience (to person Awen), Simplicity, and Stability. During the profession of my vows<\/a>, it wasn\u2019t surprising that Brighid\u2019s presence was felt. From working with her through this year, I\u2019m quite convinced that she is quite interested in monastic and contemplative work.<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Flamekeeper of The Goddess of The Flame<\/strong><\/h2>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Hearing The Call<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe Goddess of The Flame can be encountered in many ways. For me, she existed on the sidelines of my practice for a decent amount of time. I felt her support, but I didn\u2019t really hear her call until I moved into becoming a contemplative. The flame she holds is what draws us toward her, like a light in the darkness. I chose to follow slowly, which is precisely what I was asked to do.<\/p>\n
Some of what we know about Brighid isn\u2019t clear. Her origins<\/a><\/strong> lack a lot of historical evidence, but she still remains a significant figure thousands of years later. Why? Well, there\u2019s something that exists in her story and mythology that means much more to us than historical accuracy. This we can be sure of: When Brighid calls and we choose to follow, she becomes one of the best spiritual allies and teachers we could hope for.<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Monastic Implications<\/strong><\/h2>\nWhile there are many different Monasteries and Abbeys devoted to St. Brigid around the world<\/a><\/strong>, they are mostly of Catholic or Celtic Christian origin. While Pagan Monasticism has existed in one form or another for thousands of years without being recognized as being \u2018monastic\u2019, modern Pagan Monasticism tends to keep Brighid as a central figure of devotion in many traditions.<\/p>\nAs a Monk, I took my vows at Beltane of this year, 2023. They were the vows of Obedience (to person Awen), Simplicity, and Stability. During the profession of my vows<\/a>, it wasn\u2019t surprising that Brighid\u2019s presence was felt. From working with her through this year, I\u2019m quite convinced that she is quite interested in monastic and contemplative work.<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Flamekeeper of The Goddess of The Flame<\/strong><\/h2>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Monastic Implications<\/strong><\/h2>\nWhile there are many different Monasteries and Abbeys devoted to St. Brigid around the world<\/a><\/strong>, they are mostly of Catholic or Celtic Christian origin. While Pagan Monasticism has existed in one form or another for thousands of years without being recognized as being \u2018monastic\u2019, modern Pagan Monasticism tends to keep Brighid as a central figure of devotion in many traditions.<\/p>\nAs a Monk, I took my vows at Beltane of this year, 2023. They were the vows of Obedience (to person Awen), Simplicity, and Stability. During the profession of my vows<\/a>, it wasn\u2019t surprising that Brighid\u2019s presence was felt. From working with her through this year, I\u2019m quite convinced that she is quite interested in monastic and contemplative work.<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Flamekeeper of The Goddess of The Flame<\/strong><\/h2>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
As a Monk, I took my vows at Beltane of this year, 2023. They were the vows of Obedience (to person Awen), Simplicity, and Stability. During the profession of my vows<\/a>, it wasn\u2019t surprising that Brighid\u2019s presence was felt. From working with her through this year, I\u2019m quite convinced that she is quite interested in monastic and contemplative work.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\nFlamekeeper of The Goddess of The Flame<\/strong><\/h2>\n