At Imbolc, February 2009 the first stirrings of Spring, a small band of women, seven in all, gathered in the Miracles Room in a secluded courtyard in the centre of Glastonbury. From this special place we experienced the safety and intimacy to welcome Brigit the Maiden, the Bringer of Light, to get to know Brigid the Goddess, Bridie of the Isles, Briganttia of this Land, and to acknowledge and hold dear the
inspirational Bridie within ourselves.

We were greeted with fragrant incense and a wonderful circular altar to Bridget, honouring Her in all Her directions and in all Her aspects,
Maiden, Lover, Mother and Crone. The offerings for the altar were mostly in white; swan, unicorn, snake, shells, stones, water chalice, and of course clouds of white "swan' feathers. As we called in Bridie together, we felt that the energy of Her blessings was warmly feminine, springing from a deep well, though light in touch.

Participating in ages old country traditions, we made Bridie dolls with
pretty fabric scraps, wools, beads and buttons. The results were quite
arresting. We also interlaced Brigid crosses with willow, to place at our
doors and windows to avert the "evil eye". Adorning the loose, silky threads
- so like a unicorn's mane, with plaits, knots and ribbons, we fashioned
healing girdles, each perfectly symbolic for the individual craftswoman.

Communing with Her through the elements, we took trips on on Bridgit's
land. At the White Springs we held a candlelit ceremony to meet Brigit
through water, the ancient Goddess spirit living at the heart of the spring.
At Chalice well, we offered, each in turn to the other, the waters from the
Red and White springs, bestowing for one another specific Bridie Blessings.

We also walked the hillside of the Holy Thorn, resting our dolls in the yoni
before carrying them, well sheltered against the biting North East winds,
to Bridie's Mound. Here we called in Bridie with songs and our own poetry
recitations. After nurturing the land with ewes milk, we received welcome
nourishment from delicious, barley honey cookies baked for us by Marion.

The visualisations and journeyings were a treat. Laying down with our heads
to the altar, we glided to Avalon on a river barge. Parting the mists
we went to meet Bridget in all Her temples and rooms, accompanied by Her
wondrous creatures, unicorn, swan and phoenix and giving us Her
messages of transformation and new beginnings.

By the final day our connection had so deepened that in joyful spirit,
dressed in ceremonial robes, headdesses and veils, we made the short walk
to the Goddess Temple. The atmosphere was blissful as we spoke our dedications to Brighde and received Her gifts, with the sweet understanding that She knew and loved the secrets of our hearts.

On our last afternoon together we had time for more handicraft. Weaving with
wool, over and under a cross of birch twigs, we made Bridie eyes. As we wove we brought together the strands of our wonderful experience. We spoke of the meaning of this unique time together, knowing that we had forged a
significant relationship with Bridie and that She would be always with us.

Thank you to Isabella and Marion, amazing Brigit Priestesses, for a very
special retreat, for holding us in your "Bridie" arms and enabling us to see,
and come close to beautiful Brigit in all Her loving faces.   Rita Lewis

 

Brighde is the ancient Goddess of Brigit's Isles, where she is Bridie, Bride, Brid, Brigit, Brigid and Bridget, Lady of Fire, of the Sun and Moon, of the Springs and Wells, of the Four Directions, the Divine Midwife, Bride of the Isles, Bride of the Fair Palms, Mary of the Gael.  

Her green cloak covers all the land that belongs to Her. She gives Her name to the land of Brigantia and to our tutelary (guardian) Goddess Britannia (Brigit-Ana). Once Bride was well known in these lands as Maiden, Lover, Mother and Crone, ruling all the directions, now She is most commonly honoured at Imbolc in Her Maiden form.   

During this Brighde's Blessing Retreat we will be experiencing and honouring all Her aspects. In this we will follow Brighde's Wheel of the Year and her manifestation as Maiden, Lover, Mother and Crone, connected with her sacred elemental qualities and totem animals and her magical creatures the unicorn and the phoenix.    

During the retreat we will walk Her sacred swan landscape in Glastonbury, make pilgrimage to Bride's Mound, and visit the holy wells where She is honoured today. We will learn about the qualities of Brighid, Goddess Saint and Muse Brighid 'The High One', 'Strength' 'Exalted One' Triple Fire Goddess of Fertility, Healing, Generosity, Creativity, Inspiration, Transforming Smithcraft, poetry, spinning and weaving. We will explore the self as healer, the healer as midwife, you are giving birth to a new you and the healer serves as the midwife of that process.  

We will honour and nurture our maiden self by making lovely Bridie Dolls, please
Bring ribbons, beads and materials to decorate.  

And we will follow Her lead in sacred ceremony. There will be a special ceremonies during the retreat and for those who wish to dedicate themselves as a Priestess of Brigdhe. Please bring sufficient white ceremonial clothing, veils and headdresses.  

By experiencing all Her different aspects, we will open ourselves up for Her healing energies and invite the seed that's been dormant inside of us to awaken by the touch of her quickening rod.  

As the weather is likely to be cold and/or wet, please bring with you warm, waterproof clothing and footwear for walking on the land.

Venue: Glastonbury Experience. Glastonbury High Street

The four day training is non-residential.  

Times: The retreat begins at 11am on Thursday 10th February 2011.

Days run flexibly Thursday, Friday, Saturday - 10.30am-5.00pm, ending Sunday 4.00pm.  

Fees: Full fee for four days in 2011 
£ 290 by Cheque.
Online Payment available via Paypal or Credit Card (Please click on link below)
Deposit £100.00 or Full Payment £300
Installment Payment Plan available please contact for further details.

For further inquiries to book on this retreat, please contact me by mobile on
0790 3939 487 or email isabelle@lotushealingcentre.co.uk for a booking form
that will be sent to you, with details of the retreat. A deposit of £90 by January 1st 2011 will ensure your place on the retreat. Then in return the remaining balance will be required before the start of the retreat. Thank you. Blessed Be.  


Paypal Link

                                   The Great Invocation

From the point of Light within the mind of God. Let light stream forth into the minds of men. Let Light descend on Earth.

From the point of Love within the Heart of God. Let love stream forth into the hearts of men. May Christ return to Earth.

From the centre where the Will of God is known Let purpose guide the little wills of men. The purpose which the Masters know and serve.

From the centre which we call the race of men. Let the Plan of Love and Light work out. And may it seal the door where evil dwells.

Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth.

Holy Master Djwhal Khul Through Alice Bailey. 

For more details please contact Isabelle on 0790 3939 487