Welcome to the “Brighid-Along” aka the “Nine Days of Brighid.” Below are some resources to help you connect with today’s aspect of Brighid, Healer.
The three aspects of Brighid most commonly named, poet, smith, and healer, come from Cormac’s Glossary, a 10th Century encyclopedia of Irish tradition (see Day 4, Blacksmith).
Her role as healer and protector continued into Christian tradition as well, especially as a protector of animals and as an aid to women.
THAINIG thugam cobhair,
Moire gheal is Bride;
Mar a rug Anna Moire,
Mar a rug Moire Criosda,
Mar a rug Eile Eoin Baistidh
Gun mhar-bhith dha dhi,
Cuidich thusa mise ’m asaid,
Cuidich mi a Bhride!
Mar a gheineadh Criosd am Moire
Comhliont air gach laimh,
Cobhair thusa mise, mhoime,
An gein a thoir bho ’n chnaimh;
’S mar a chomhn thu Oigh an t-solais,
Gun or, gun odh, gun ni,
Comhn orm-sa, ’s mor m’ othrais,
Comhn orm a Bhride!
From “Bride Ban-Chobhair  Bride the Aid-Woman,” Carmina Gadelica, Volume 1, by Alexander Carmicheal, , at sacred-texts.com. Available at http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/cg1/cg1076.htm.
Seek the healing power of Brighid where you need it—in a foster mother’s loving arms, in the courage of the warrior, the warmth of the hearth’s fire—in any combination of her ways. Brighid heals as we need to be healed. And when we are whole, may we pass her blessings on to others who need them as well.
Bright Blessings of Brighid,
Diane “Emerald” Bronowicz Egelhoff, on behalf of Sassafras Grove, ADF
Brighid Along Day 9—Healer
Mind and hands weave
a blanket of healing.
The broken and weak, mended and strengthened. (Rowynn CleerDawn)
The Nine Virtues of Brighid: Healing/Moderation
Moderation in all things leads to wellbeing in spirit, body, and mind. Healers discern where we are out of balance and judiciously use their skills to bring us back to health. (Diane “Emerald” Bronowicz)
What is the state of my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health? Where am I out of balance? What can I do to facilitate my own healing?
Healing Invocation to Brighid: Sassafras Traditional
Siul Linn, a Bhríd* (Walk with us, Brighid)
Hail Brighid, Goddess of Healing
Kind lover of human life
Transformer of healing forces
You who shares with us your knowledge of potions and healing herbs
You who protects us through our illness and despair
You who directs the powerful healing energies through our lives
Mistress of the healing energies, balance and strengthen us
Gentle lover of human life, support our wellness and transform our despair
Brighid, Goddess of Healing, Siul Linn, a Bhríd. (Diana Paar et al.)
*”Shoe lean ah Breejah”
Gemstone – Serpentine
Serpentine is also called “New Jade.” It’s a versatile stone, said assist with emotional cleansing and psychic powers. It’s also and a protective stone, especially against snakebite, poison, and venom. Mystical lore says that serpentine eliminates parasite infections and removes venom and other poisons. Serpentine is an excellent stone for meditation. It is also used when attempting to raise the Kundalini, as it is said to facilitate the rise of energy by opening a path, which lessens the discomfort associated with the rise. (Michelle Handa & Deana S.)
Take three, deep, cleansing breaths.
Exhale fully…let go of the tensions and distractions of your day.
Take three more deep breaths. Breathe into any part of your body that may be uncomfortable.
Allow your breath to fill you, cleanse and ease you.
Turn your attention to yourself, to your center.
Take three more deep, cleansing breaths.
In your mind’s eye, see yourself in your sacred space, at your shrine, in a cave, sheltered beneath a tree, the place where your magic runs deep.
Focus for a moment on your center, and breathe into your core.
Allow your attention to flow downward from your center, through your legs and feet and down, down into the earth, through the soil, until you touch the water below.
Feel the deep waters below you, clear and cool. These are the waters of renewal, the waters of compassion, the waters of balance and of wholeness. This is the divine source, the well of healing and forgiveness, the well of purity.
With your next three breaths, draw these clear, cool waters into yourself….up through your feet, through your legs, through your body. Draw the waters into your center, a pool of wholeness and stability. Pure and clear, the well rests at your center.
Remember your connection to the waters below.
With your next three breaths allow your attention to flow upwards toward the heavens, through your chest and neck, and out through the top of your head.
Piercing the midnight blue of the night sky the stars shine their light, guiding you upward. Find your star, the one that shines for you alone. Turn your attention to your star. It is the fire that that burns in the hands, the warm glow of healing, and the spark of need. This is the fire of compassion; the flame that draws out poison; the flame that burns away disease and fear.
With your next three breaths, draw that healing glow down from the sky, through your head,
through your chest, down to your center. Filling the darkness, the fire of compassion embraces the waters of healing, merging need and fulfillment. Dancing at your center, the Fire and Water combine. This union below and above stirs your heart, strengthens your hands, enlivens your desire for wholeness. Connected below and above, you are upheld by the embrace of the oneness.
Allow that oneness of fire and water to flow through you, around you, and over you. Feel that oneness connecting you to the mysteries above and below. Rest for a moment in the mystery.
Now slowly, bring that energy back into your center, flowing back through you to your center.
Let the powers separate, and allow the waters of stillness to flow downward from your center, through your legs and feet and down, down into the earth, keeping only what you need to heal yourself. Allow the fire of the stars to return through your chest, through your head and upward into the heavens, keeping only what you need to love yourself.
Turn your attention to your center and take three deep breaths. When you are ready, open your eyes. (Maria Stoy)
Day Nine: Healer Meditation (audio)
Brighid Healer Prayer
Brighid, your touch heals our wounds
Our pain melts away
With open arms we come to you in times of suffering
You renew us, restore us
Reaching out to those in need
Brighid, Goddess of Healing, we honor you. (Diane Dahm)
Brighid Healer Affirmation
You are a Healer of body, mind and spirit
Bless the work of my head, heart and hands.
May your deep compassion burn in my heart
May the waters of your healing well flow through my hands
May I walk in balance
Bíodh sé amhlaidh (Maria Stoy)
Brighid Healer Virtual Shrine (Michelle Handa)