Imbolc blessings to you! 

Tonight I shall be welcoming the goddess Brighid into my home, and laying out a traditional bed for her that she may bless the house and family. I  shall also be laying out a white blanket on the thorn trees by my house....this is a traditional practice called the Brat Bhríde, or Brighid's cloak, which is said to be blessed by her passing by and can be used to comfort the sick or for the protection of children. This is such a simple thing to do, but to have a specific magical cloth to lave a feverish forehead, or to wrap up a child is goddess magic at its best- eminently practical and compassionate.  

Now is the traditional time for house blessings and cleansings, especially using prayers to Brighid such as the reciting of her genealogy, as recorded in the Carmina Gadelica. I tend to edit out the Christian references. 

SLOINNEADH na Ban-naomh Bride,
Lasair dhealrach oir,
Bride nighinn Dughaill duinn,
Mhic Aoidh, mhic Airt, nitric Cuinn,
Mhic Crearair, mhic Cis, mhic Carmaig, mhic Carruinn.

Gach la agus gach oidhche
Ni mi sloinntireachd air Bride,
Cha mharbhar mi, cha spuillear mi,
Cha charcar mi, cha chiurar mi,

Cha loisg teine, grian, no gealach mi,
Cha bhath luin, li, no sala mi,
Cha reub saighid sithich, no sibhich mi,
Is mi fo chomaraig mo chaomh mhuime Bride.

 

THE genealogy of the holy maiden Bride,
Radiant flame of gold, Bride the daughter of Dugall the brown,
Son of Aodh, son of Art, son of Conn,
Son of Crearar, son of Cis, son of Carina, son of Carruin.

Every day and every night
That I say the genealogy of Bride,
I shall not be killed, I shall not be harried,
I shall not be put in cell, I shall not be, wounded,

No fire, no sun, no moon shall burn me,
No lake, no water, nor sea shall drown me,
No arrow of fairy nor dart of fay shall wound me,
And I under the protection of my
beloved Bride.

 The wheel has turned! Blessed be! 

 

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