Gentle Visitation

a song of gratitude

For Your gentle visitation 
For the tea and conversation 
Receive our grateful oblation 
We thank You, Fairest Bride

For Your kindest touch of healing 
True and Blessed Light revealing 
In each household humbly kneeling 
To pray for all inside 

For each one the walls surrounding 
And those held in hearts’ resounding 
For All Life, Great Love Abounding
Forever to abide. 

    My discovering the stories of the life and legends of Saint Brigid of Kildare as part of a greater feminine spiritual awakening in the mid 1990s, opened a door to great inner friendship, joy, and creativity in my life. One of the greatest sources of joy was learning about the folk customs celebrating Brigid, and I eagerly began sharing those with my young family. Some of my warmest memories are of the preparations on Brigid’s Eve. Choosing a scarf or piece of material to tie on a tree for Brigid’s blessing to use as a token of healing and comfort throughout the year, helping the children select special items to place on the porch, and a cushion for Her to kneel on to pray for our home and family. And of course, preparing the food and a leaving a little oblation to offer Brigid in thanks for stopping by and blessing us! It was truly magical, in the sense of wonder and happiness the occasion brought to our hearts and household. Oh, and I drank my one beer of the year! 
    This year I am living entirely alone (or so it may appear!) for the first time in my life. I hadn’t given much thought to how I would celebrate Brigid’s Eve, though I knew there would be some modifications due to the effects of a terrible ice storm we experienced last week. I didn’t feel safe trying to make my way to a tree on the grounds in the dark, icy, single digit windchill. As Goodness would have it, I happened upon some information yesterday that in certain regions of Ireland the custom was to hang items on your doorknob, so Brigid would inevitably have to touch them to get inside! Problem solved! I made a buttered bannock and brewed some Irish tea in lieu of the usual celebratory Irish beer, and set up tea service for two at my little ice cream parlor table. There I proceeded to have a heart-to-heart chat with my dear Soul Friend over a sweet cuppa. This just may be a new form of prayer for me! Con*tea*mplative prayer? 
 (That one’s for you, Good Padre!) 😉
     I awakened at dawn this morning to a soft snowfall, as seems to happen occasionally on this day of the year. To my childlike heart it is Brigid’s calling card; evidence of a gentle, gracious visitation. I am fully aware of the inherent difficulties of ordinary life, and the weight of current events that make me question many things about humanity. None of those things disappeared overnight. But there is something about stepping into a kinder, imaginal space of Presence, and opening to Wonder, that can lighten that heaviness a bit, and bring a gift of refreshment and inspiration to continue on in tenacious hope, having been reminded that we are not alone, even when it seems that we are; and that we are accompanied by Unfailing Love at all times; within and all around us. 
Go gently and tenaciously, my Friends.
Blessed St. Brigid’s Day! 
With love and prayers, 
Cheryl Anne