I’ve written before about the importance of music in my spiritual practice, but what about Brigid and music? Is music important to herself?
I mean, I could just as easily have made this post about Brigid the poet, but I specifically wanted to talk about music today. Because, there is legitimate, proper, peer-reviewed research out there on how music can change moods. A quote from the abstract of the paper:
The iso principle comprises listening to music that matches the current mood of patients at first, and then to gradually shift to music that represents a desired mood
So, music is important for us as humans, but is music important to Brigid?
What is a poet?
Well, we know that poets in Gaelic Ireland were a lot more than musicians, although in later years, there was a lot more specialisation, as far as I can see. But music forms huge parts of the poet’s repertoire. If you want to see how the power of music was held in Gaelic Ireland, pop over to Jon O’Sullivan’s blog, DagdaBard.com, and check out this story. (I mean, check out all his stories, but this one resonates with the power of music for me right now)
Music was an important part of the poet’s arsenal. And yes, I do mean, arsenal. Did you pay attention to that story above? Or indeed to the satire laid by Coirpre son of Étain on Bres in Caith Maighe Tuireadh?
‘Bres’s prosperity no longer exists,’ he said, and that was true. There was only blight on him from that hour; and that is the first satire that was made in Ireland.
– Cath Maige Tuired: The Second Battle of Mag Tuired (ucc.ie)
Now, technically speaking, there is no mention of Coirpre singing for his satire, in fact, the text specifically uses the word “says”. But I believe that Brigid sees music in words as well…
At the same time, there is a music to his words:
Without food quickly on a dish,
Without cow’s milk on which a calf grows,
Without a man’s habitation after darkness remains,
Without paying a company of storytellers—let that be Bres’s condition.– Cath Maige Tuired: The Second Battle of Mag Tuired (ucc.ie)
Brigid as goddess of poets
Brigid is specifically called out in Cormac’s Glossary as “goddess of poets” and not just “goddess of poetry”. It’s a bit of a difference, when you think about it. But in my experience, as a deity of poets, she welcomes a bit of praise poetry and song. And Brigid definitely includes music in her poetry in my experience!
I mean, I’ve yet to come across a deity that doesn’t like a bit of praise. Or indeed, a lot of praise. Seriously. Think of all the “official” prayers in most of the religions world-wide. There’s a lot of praise in there. And gratitude, thanks etc.
Brigid is no different. So if you fancy dedicating your version of Shania Twain’s Feel Like a Woman at top volume to Brigid, fire ahead. Although, I will say, she may not count it if it’s 2am and you’re plastered. #justsayin.
And there is value in training your voice as well – I haven’t done this, but it is something I’m considering to help me when I’m speaking in public. If there’s one thing voice training will help with, it’s breath control!
What is music?
Now, I did say above that Coirpre’s words have a musical quality to them. It’s not something I chase in my words usually, although people have said I can sound lyrical when talking. That’s probably due to the accent though. An Irish accent is a great asset in life! Something Brigid would appreciate.
“espression of emotion”, or something along those lines, is listed against any of the definitions of music I can find in the various dictionaries I have. I’ve spoken about self-care and emotional self-care before. (And you can join the self-care community over on teachable if you wish!) Music might not always be the means, but Brigid is big on expression of emotion as well!
Music can help us feel emotions, process emotion and deal with emotions. It’s sound and noise to some people, but those same sounds and noises can sound like pure heaven to others! Anyone listening to Heart Shaped Box and not getting a tug at the auld heartstrings… well I don’t know what to say to ye! (Yes, I’m biased, yes I’m showing my age, yes, I was a teenage grunger…)
Brigid, music and spiritual practice
Now, Brigid takes a firm interest in our emotional health as well as our physical health. We all know this. And, from the second section above, we know that music can play a role in helping us manage out emotions. So the idea that Brigid and music are linked is kinda a fall out for that. But it’s also tied in to her role in poetry. Not to mention the role of music in healing.
And if you want to push the point to the furthest extent, there is music in a smith’s forge as well. Any profession will sing to its practitioners.
Bringing music into your spiritual practice can deepen and enrich that practice. Seriously. I record most of my meditations without background music, because it’s easy enough to add some in, if you want it, but it’s harder to remove it if it’s already there. This is an area to suit yourself.
And of course, you may choose to include music intended to be spiritual in nature in your Brigid practice. Rather than my own choices of more mundane songs. You do you!
