Last night was February 1st, the feast day of Saint Brigid. A painting of her, being carried by two angels, hangs over my bed. I first discovered this masterpiece by John Duncan at the National Gallery of Scotland in 2022 on the final day of our Baby Bushka tour. It so moved me that I spent a ridiculous amount of money percuring the largest size print of it I could find and having it framed. I wake up every morning to the hot pink and gold tipped wings of those angels, flying Brigid (St Bride) over the ocean, accompanied by a seal and two seagulls.
For the last couple years, I’ve been making a point to celebrate this feast day and have spent countless hours learning about the many traditional customs and stories, both Christian and Pagan, associated with this special day. Together they weave a rich tapestry of symbolism and imagining that has only enriched my experience of it. It’s a time of wombing, of milk, of hope in dark winter, a pregnant earth full of possibility and the promise of spring to come. Along with these deep dance movements of nature is the extraordinary life of Saint Brigid and her many magical miracles.
“There is plenty to learn from St Brigid. The Vita tells us that even the wolves of the forest loved her, and the wild ducks ‘flew on feathered wings to her, without any fear’, after which ‘she praised highly the Creator of all things, to whom all life is subject, and for whose service … all life is given.’ So in tune with Creation was Brigid, in fact, that she could hang her cloak on a sunbeam and cause trees to move through prayer. Anything she ever found herself in possession of was given away to the poorest of the poor.” - Paul Kingsnorth
Something about dandelions. I’m reminded of the Bloomsbury breakfast I made two years ago. Yesterday, however, was all about the Irish recipes associated with Saint Brigid’s day. I spent the morning collecting stories, prayers, songs and images of Brigid and then tried my hand at a few recipes. The first being a Saint Brigid oatcake and a very traditional Colcannon that I couldn’t help but add a trinity of garlic cloves to. That evening I was joined by artist April Rose and her daughter Dusty to feast and pray! It was a joy to sit on the floor at Kalabash after a long day of music making and celebrate together. Caught on camera below is the little packet I made of paintings, stories, prayers and recipes for Saint Brigid. I gift it to you here.
Saint Brigid.
You were a woman of peace.
You brought harmony where there was conflict.
You brought light to the darkness.
You brought hope to the downcast.
May the mantle of your peace cover those who are troubled and anxious, and may peace be firmly rooted in our hearts and in our world.
Inspire us to act justly and to reverence all God has made.
Brigid you were a voice for the wounded and the weary.
Strengthen what is weak within us.
Calm us into a quietness that heals and listens.
May we grow each day into greater wholeness in mind, body and spirit.
Amen.
