An Imbolc Spell for a Goddess of Poetry . . . and a Tattoo

Yes, you get to see my tattoo...

“Brigid” by Ania Aldrich

Dear|Poetry-Lovers, Sister Witches, and Everyone in Between,

Have you ever wondered why we celebrate Groundhog Day? As with so many delightful and curious things, its origin goes right back into the times of Goddess worship—which feel closer and closer the more one learns about them. Halfway between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, this day was called Imbolc in the earth-centered, meter-honoring, Goddess-worshipping world of Indigenous Ireland (the story then was that the mysterious Crone Goddess called the Cailleach would gather wood for more winter fires if the weather was clear on this day!)

But now, this day is a day to honor the Goddess Brigid— a powerful Goddess of Poetry.

So here's my incantation to Brigid.  The form with its interlocking rhymes is an exact English incarnation of the ancient awdl gywydd form.  The art is by Ania Aldrich.  You can also watch video of me performing the poem here.

For best results, stir up something powerful and healing in a cauldron and read the chant three times aloud to honor & invoke Her energy!

BRIGID

Ring, ring, ring, ring! Hammers fall.
Your gold will all be beaten
over sudden flaming fire
moving from you, the pyre. Sweeten
your cauldron, until the sun
runs with one flame through the day
and the healing water will sing,
linger on tongues, burn away.

from Spells: New and Selected Poems by Annie Finch (Wesleyan University Press 2013)

#Speakitthrice #Anniespells  

Yours in love, magic, and poetry,

PS Oh yeah, my tattoo—the first tattoo I ever received—Well, I will be telling that whole wild story in the memoir I’m currently writing (please wish me luck!); I’m posting updates about my progress on Instagram and excerpts from the manuscript on Patreon.

Meanwhile, here’s the tattoo: