Imbolc - Blessing for Hearth Keepers

This morning's photo and poem are my contributions to this year's 5th Annual Cyberspace Poetry Slam Honoring the Goddess Brigid, and many "thank yous" to my mermaid sister Joanna for reminding me.

I can think of no more poetic offering for this day than the lovely and light-filled Blessing for Hearth-Keepers from The Little Book of Celtic Blessings by Caitlin Matthews. It is the poem I recite every year on the eve of Imbolc as I light beeswax candles and kindle a fire in the old fireplace downstairs.

Another of my favorites is Chains of Fire by Elsa Gidlow. Elsa's poem was actually crafted for Yuletide, but its motifs of renewal, cleansing, fire and community are perfect for this day too.

Brighid of the Mantle, encompass us,
Lady of the Lambs, protect us,
Keeper of the Hearth, kindle us.
Beneath your mantle, gather us,
And restore us to memory.
Mothers of our mother,
Foremothers strong.
Guide our hands in yours,
Remind us how
To kindle the hearth.
To keep it bright,
To preserve the flame.
Your hands upon ours,
Our hands within yours,
To kindle the light,
Both day and night.
The Mantle of Brighid about us,
The Memory of Brighid within us,
The Protection of Brighid keeping us
From harm, from ignorance, from heartlessness.
This day and night,
From dawn till dark,
From dark till dawn