Fiction and research about Brigid, Irish deity, saint, and so much more
Category: Brigid
I know – having both saint and deity on the one blog is a bit difficult at times, but sure, herself is a liminal being anyway. Here’s where my musings on herself are gathered
Bringing a bit of joy and laughter to people’s lives is part of how I lighten up the dark part of the year, shining with the metaphorical Brigid light. (Also why I used so many candles
Does Brigid approve of laughter?
Laughter brings lightness into our lives. We’ve been discussing this in the Collective this week, the experience of joy in spirituality. It’s amazing how many people don’t experience joy in spirituality at all. Or if they do, it’s a very specific kind of joy – like singing in a group.
But we have loads of early Church examples of how spirituality has to come with joy. This includes warmth, akin to the essence of Brigid light, which fills the spirit with happiness.
But first – whenever I talk about joy, I quote Terry Pratchett:
“That’s my daughter,” said the king. “I ought to feel sad. Why don’t I?”
EMOTIONS GET LEFT BEHIND. IT’S ALL A MATTER OF GLANDS.
“Ah. That would be it, I suppose.”
― Terry Pratchett, Mort
The words in all caps are from Death, it’s a convention Pratchett uses through the books. And if you’re looking for books to raise the spirits through the winter months, you won’t go too far wrong with the Discworld ones!
But back to the primary question, does Brigid approve of laughter.
Key UPG moment here: this is my opinion, rather than based in lore, but in my experience and in my opinion, yes, Brigid is very approving of laughter. She has the Irish approach to the topic – there’s as much laughing as crying at what might be considered a “normal” funeral in Ireland.
And while she gave us keening, she never stopped us laughing.
Brigid is associated with light in many stories. And some of her stories are genuinely funny – well if you have a twisted sense of humour like I do.
Brigid, light and spiritual joy
Here’s four other Catholic saints calling out for joy in spirituality:
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” – Saint Teresa of Avila
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” – Saint Paul the Apostle (Philippians 4:4)
“The soul of one who serves God always swims in joy, always keeps holiday, and is always in the mood for singing.” – Saint John Vianney
St. Augustine of Hippo wrote, “Joy is the net of love by which you can catch souls.”
I particularly enjoy Saint John Vianney there. Always being in the mood for singing tells me he definitely felt joy in his life!
We have in recent centuries become accustomed to religion in particular being dark and dour, rather than light and happy. (All to do with oppression and control to be honest)
Restricting our laughter, our joy, our light, really limits how we can move forward in spirituality. I mean, why would you want to move forward onto a path that is just causing you pain and torment with nothing to lighten things?
Brigid appreciates we’re human and we need the light as much as the darkness. She also understands that there will forever people that will seek to put down and oppress others. We see this all over the world.
But this is where laughter can fight back against that oppression as well.
I read a lot of dystopian fiction
Surprising no one, I’d say. And a lot of the time, I can see a stage in resistance or building to resistance, where things appear so dark, so lonely, so miserable… it’s a wonder anyone can ever consider rebelling.
But then the gleams of lightness and laughter appear. There’s a secret or not-so-secret underground pub or bar. There are songs. There is dancing.
There’s always something.
And so we can use this in our daily lives.
Subvert the expectations. Just because people can impose darkness and oppression, doesn’t mean you can to comply 100% of the time. Brigid brings some light herself, of course. But you can also use her to bring light and bring some on your own as well.
Light the candles. Invite her to join you in watching a favourite film. Or share in a glass of wine, listen to some music, dance…
And the t-shirt, Orlagh? What does that have to do with Brigid and light?
Well that’s simple. People are an entirely different entity than persons. Once you become a person to me – as I said in the Instagram post – things get a lot easier. But people? People? I don’t like people.
Just in general.
The herd mentality is strong in a lot of people, so until people become persons, I distrust them immensely…
I said this in a class, years ago and nearly gave poor Lora a heart attack. Most of the time once I see you face-to-face or talk to you in a class, you move from people to person.
You might say, once I see you in Brigid’s Light, I start looking at you differently!
I know, it’s not even Samhain yet, and I’m already speaking about preparing for Imbolc.
But there’s a reason for it. Namely, I start preparing for Imbolc around the time of Samhain. In the same way I start preparing for Samhain around the time of Lúnasa. But for Imbolc, I take some of ye along with me on the journey.
Let’s be serious, ye already knew lighting candles was ging to be a part of this!
And it’s no joke to say that I start writing about this nearly every year at this time…
What takes so long, FFS?
Well yeah, ok here’s the thing. I prepare for Imbolc over three months, because I considering the time between Samhain and Imbolc to be my dreaming period. My planning period. I’ve taken stock of where I am and what I’ve achieved between Lúnasa and Samhain. So, Samhain to Imbolc is the heavy work.
I prepare for Imbolc in the physical, emotional and spiritual realms.
And I allocate about a month for each in my preparation cycle. Imbolc isn’t just an event to me, it’s a season. And as such, I use it as part of my seasonal work. I mean, I go through a cycle of physical, emotional and spiritual work in all seasons, but for Imbolc it’s extra special preparation.
And yeah, that’s cos of the links with Brigid. Definitely.
But it’s also because I consider the work done between Samhain and Imbolc as the most important in the year. It’s how I set up my year, plan my year, engage with my audience to find out what’s needed and what isn’t for the coming year.
It’s my time for reflection, review, engagement… all of that good stuff.
And it takes time.
Preparing for Imbolc is a whole-person approach for me. And it’s different every year. There are some basics that stay the same, and I’ll talk about them down below, but the specifics change, over and over again.
Physically preparing for Imbolc
OK, a lot of this is cleaning. Seriously.
Thankfully Christmas happens between Samhain and Imbolc, otherwise, I’d never get things as clean as I want for the season. But there is a feeling or a need to clear our the house come spring. Which as we know, starts to show it’s face around Imbolc. It’s not the height of spring – I’d label that as the equinox. But still…
And particularly with Imbolc, after the winter season of closing doors and windows, there’s a great need to let the fresh air. To clear out the corners. Get the energy moving again.
(This is northern hemisphere based and four-seasons based of course. If you’re in a different season rotation – you may need to adjust!)
But preparing for Imbolc by getting things going again really feels apt for the season in Ireland and the stage of the year. And a good scrubbing of the house really helps get the energy moving again. As does a clean breeze coming through.
Now, of course, you may get complaints from certain inhabitants about the cold, etc. But I dare anyone not to enjoy the feeling of a truly clean, fresh house.
And it gives us a clean slate to start the rest of the year with. Which feeds into…
Emotionally preparing for Imbolc
Now, I’m the last to tell anyone how they might feel or how their emotions might affect them. But I know for me and mine, the dark winter months are touch, emotionally speaking. I tend to leave the house in the dark and get back to work in the dark.
In fact this started last week – admittedly, I was in work for 7am, but still. There is a definitely shortening of both morning and evening light. And this has an effect on our mood. Even the HSE, our health and safety people, recommend everyone in the country should take a vitamin D supplement.
Image taken from the HSE website
I mean, half the country is on anti-depressants, even with the gorgeous scenery. And that standing joke about God not letting it rain for 40 days and 40 nights anymore, but 40 days and 39 and a half nights is definitely within scope is accurate here.
How much does it rain?
As is our assessment of other climate’s rainy season. I remember being in Gambia years ago and being warned I was going during the rainy season. They got a mere 2 hours of rain every day and you could set your clock by it…
That was a gorgeous summer as far as I was concerned!
(Before anyone starts- I know monsoons and other dramatic rain are far worse than what we get. But for days of rain per year, we’re kinda up there. There’s a reason all the fields are green, ok?)
So, all in all, looking after our emotional health is important this time of year. It’s also why I consider the lighting of candles and fires to be an essential component of preparing for Imbolc. Not just about the connections of Brigid and fire. It’s about that deep seated emotional need we have for light at this dark time of the year.
Spiritually preparing for Imbolc
I mean, ye know this was coming, right? It’s not like I hide it.
And while the physical and emotional preparation are vitally important, the spiritual preparation for Imbolc is at the core of what the celebration means to me.
And the spiritual preparation can be deeply personal. For anyone! Of course there will be the public stuff. I am mostly likely to run a virtual retreat this year, again. There’s a good chance I’ll be sharing the public or public-friendly bits of my celebration on Instagram or in the Facebook group.
But there are always personal parts. I might share the fact that a spiritual shower or sacred cleanse is an important part of my celebration, but I don’t usually share the explicit details of it. I might share a pic of my brat Bhríde hanging from the door. It’s not so likely I’ll share the details of the prayers and blessings I add into my own private ritual.
There is always that dividing line for me between the publicly available stuff and the personal stuff. Whether that stuff is personal gnosis or just none of anyone else’s business doesn’t matter.
What does matter is that when I’m teaching, I give you the tools to develop your own practices. Because that’s where the value is. Not in copying what I do by rote.
Heads up
So this is a heads up. A heads up for both you and me.
We’ll be starting the course on 1st November. It ends up usually being about 5 classes over three months… I’m great at planning these things to be even and regular… not. So, there’s usually a gap over Christmas, but don’t worry. Sessions are recorded and usually available within a day or two.
Trust me, St. Brigid had a temper! This is prompted by yet another query in the Facebook group at the weekend saying they can only find “meek and mild” depictions of St. Brigid. Now, I’ve written about this before, but this time, I feel it’s worth exploring in more depth in a fully blog post.
Now look. This isn’t going to be our usual stuff. I’m talking purely about the saint in this post and I will be referring to the hagiographies available on UCC Celt.
PIcture of my Brigid stature, holding a flame, in front of a cauldron, with a lit tea light on the cauldron and a Brigid’s cross in between. What sort of meek and mild woman holds fire in her palms?
Example 1: Rejecting a marriage offer
This to me is a key understanding of St. Brigid’s temper. Her Da isn’t too bad here, but her brothers are being a pain in the arse. So she takes steps. Seriously steps.
Shortly afterwards a man came to Dubthach’s house to woo Brigit. His name was Dubthach moccu Lugair. That pleased her father and her brothers. ‘It is difficult for me’, said Brigit, ‘I have offered up my virginity to God. I will give you advice. There is a wood behind your house, and there is a beautiful maiden [therein]. She will be betrothed to you, and this is how you will recognize it: You will find an enclosure wide open and the maiden will be washing her father’s head and they will give you a greater welcome, and I will bless your face and your speech so that whatever you say will please them.’ It was done as Brigit said.
Her brothers were grieved at her depriving them of the bride-price. There were poor people living close to Dubthach’s house. She went one day carrying a small load for them. Her brothers, her father’s sons, who had come from Mag Lifi, met her. Some of them were laughing at her; others were not pleased with her, namely Bacéne, who said: ‘The beautiful eye which is in your head will be betrothed to a man though you like it or not.’ Thereupon she immediately thrusts her finger into her eye. ‘Here is that beautiful eye for you’, said Brigit. ‘I deem it unlikely’, said she, ‘that anyone will ask you for a blind girl.’ Her brothers rush about her at once save that there was no water near them to wash the wound. ‘Put’, said she, ‘my staff about this sod in front of you.’ That was done. A stream gushed forth from the earth. And she cursed Bacéne and his descendants, and said: ‘Soon your two eyes will burst in your head.’ And it happened thus.
Dubthach said to her: ‘Take the veil then, my daughter, for this is what you desire. Distribute this holding to God and man.’ ‘Thanks be to God’, said Brigit.
Not only did she put her suitor off, but when her Bacéne tried to force her, she plucked out her own eye to stop him and then burst his two eyes as punishment. This is not the action of a meek and mild, biddable woman. This is a woman who has grown up with a bunch of brothers and is well used to fighting back. St. Brigid is used to losing her temper in this scenario and knows she pays her brother back
Example 2: Healing a leper – possibly out of spite
On the same Easter Sunday there came to her a certain leper from whom his limbs were falling, to ask for a cow. ‘For God’s sake, Brigit, give me a cow.’ ‘Grant me a respite’, said Brigit. ‘I would not grant you’, said he, ‘even the respite of a single day.’ ‘My son, let us await the hand of God’, said Brigit. ‘I will go off’, said the leper. ‘I will get a cow in another stead although I obtain it not from you.’ ‘. . .’, said Brigit, ‘and if we were to pray to God for the removal of your leprosy, would you like that?’, ‘No’, said he, ‘I obtain more this way than when I shall be clean.’ ‘It is better’, said Brigit, ‘. . . and you shall take a blessing [and] shall be cleansed.’ ‘All right then’, said he, ‘for I am sorely afflicted.’ ‘How will this man be cleansed?’, said Brigit to her maidens. ‘Not hard, O nun. Let your blessing be put on a mug of water, and let the leper be washed with it afterwards.’ It was done thus and he was completely cured. ‘I shall not go’, said the leper, ‘from the cup which has healed me — I shall be your servant and woodman.’ Thus it was done.
Now, ok, plenty of people read this differently to me. They see it as St. Brigid looking for a way to support this poor leper one way or another. But when I view it, I see it as an exasperated Brigid looking to get this man away from her one way or another. In other words, St. Brigid losing her temper in exasperation.
He says explicitly he doesn’t want to be healed, but she goes ahead anyway to heal him. No one else ever seen a healer heal someone out of spite? I sure as hell have!
And the poor woman ends up stuck with him anyway, because she has to take him on as a servant. Can you imagine the frustration she felt… Or possibly a consequence for St. Brigid losing her temper!
Example 3: Unfair dealings with “her” bishop and St. Brigid loses her temper
On the following day, Tuesday, there was a good man nearby who was related to Brigit. He had been a full year ailing. ‘Take for me today’, said he, ‘the best cow in my byre to Brigit, and let her pray to God for me, to see if I shall be cured.’ The cow was brought, and Brigit said to those who brought it: ‘Take it immediately to Mel.’ They brought it back to their house and exchanged it for another cow unknown to their sick man. That was related to Brigit, who was angry at the deceit practised on her. ‘Between a short time from now and the morning’, said Brigit, ‘wolves shall eat the good cow which was given into my possession and which was not brought to you’, said she to Mel, ‘and they shall eat seven oxen in addition to it.’ That was related then to the sick man. ‘Go’, said he, ‘take to her seven oxen of choice of the byre.’ It was done thus. ‘Thanks be to God’, said Brigit. ‘Let them be taken to Mel to his church. He has been preaching and saying Mass for us these seven days between the two Easters; a cow each day to him for his labour, it is not greater than what he has given; and take a blessing with all eight, a blessing on him from whom they were brought’, said Brigit. When she said that he was healed immediately.
This time, St. Brigid is explicitly described as “angry” and well she might be. Deceit is not something she tolerates much, unless it’s for the greater good. And in this case, it was depriving a holy man from his just payment. Not to mention, putting into danger the healing of the sick man. Even if St. Brigid didn’t have a temper, any healer would be angry at a patient being put into danger.
Example 4: St. Brigid losing her temper at a cantankerous woman
Oh yes, I love this one! When St. Brigid doesn’t adhere to what a donor expects after receiving a gift of apples, both the woman and St. Brigid lose their tempers!
Once she was hurrying on the bank of the Inny. There were many apples and sweet sloes in that church. A certain nun gave her a small gift in a basket of bark. When she brought [it] into the house, lepers came at once into the middle of the house to beg of her. ‘Take’, said she, ‘yonder apples’, Then she who had presented the apples [said]: ‘I did not give the gift to lepers.’ Brigit was displeased and said: ‘You act wrongly in prohibiting gifts to the servants of God; therefore your trees shall never bear any fruit.’ And the donor, on going out, sees that all at once her garden bore no fruit, while shortly before it had abundant fruits. And it remains barren for ever, except for foliage.
Now, ok, it’s saying St. Brigid was “displeased”, but honestly, denying the woman and the tree any further fruit on the basis of the woman’s behaviour reeks of temper to me!
Just from one hagiography?
Yes, that’s just from the one hagiography. And remember – these stories were meant to show the best of the saints they venerated. So the saint having a temper, losing said temper, getting angry, taking steps… none of this was considered wrong or to be concerned about.
It was something important – that she would stand up and use her anger and her temper to support those she deemed in need of it. Whether it was herself, with her brothers, her bishop, her patients… whoever and whatever, she used that temper.
But don’t be coming to me saying she’s all meek and mild. For the love of all you hold holy, read the damn manuscripts! They’re available for free!!
It’s equinox season, so that means it’s a great time to consider Brigid and balance. Which is a nice lead on from my first post last week. Plus, I have been posting about it over on Instagram. (Why, yes, I do have an Instagram and yes, I do occasionally remember to post there!)
And I know that Brigid isn’t necessarily the first person you think of when you think of “balance”, but I hope to persuade you differently today!
Brigid and balance for me right now
I used to get all caught up in the hype of September being a great time of year to turn over a new leaf, with it being the start of a new school year and all. The joys of not only spending 18years in full time education in Ireland but also, have two teachers as parents. The school year is part of me.
But when I switched to a more cyclical style of living, and started moving through the year as a dreaming, planting, growing and harvesting cycle, things began to change for me. September is no longer a “new year” type vibe, but more of a “check in and take stock” kind of vibe. It tied in with my exploration of Brigid and balance.
And it doesn’t hurt that the evenings are definitely getting longer, the sunset is happening earlier and in general, the weather is getting colder.
So, it makes sense that in noting the equinox, my thoughts turn to balance.
My simplified altar for this season. Although, the Dagda now has a cauldron that’s bigger than he is!
What do I mean by balance?
Well I’ve been moaning over the last few weeks on Instagram – well last week in particular – that work was taking over too much of my time. I’d worked til midnight on one night, necessitating a stay over in a hotel near work cos I was in no fit state to drive home at that point. That had a knock on effect with sleep, eating, husband tending that really lasted til yesterday. So, I took some time. I may have been muttering about Brigid, balance and how my life included neither at that point…
I woke at 4:30am yesterday and couldn’t get back to sleep. Instead of diving into work or working on Brigid’s Forge, I took the time to meditate. In front of this altar. Wrapped in a blankie like one of my ancestors from generations ago. (Although to be fair, given at least 50% of my ancestors came from migrant labourer backgrounds, the blankie might have been a luxury for them!)
All in all, it felt like an “all work and no play” kinda deal. Plus, I started rewatching Buffy from Season 2, which is never really a positive sign in my life…
What am I looking to achieve?
Brigid is a firm believer – to me anyway – that we are made of body, mind and soul. And all three parts need nurturing. We could link these to the Smith, the Healer and the Poet, or Brig Bricciu, Brig Brethach and Brig Ambue. But for me, this balance means I’m taking care of my body, my mind and my soul. My mind usually gets exercised enough through work and study. Seriously, Brigid really doesn’t need to worry about balance there!
But my body and soul need tending as well.
And I may have been getting ever so not subtle hints from Brigid about balance.
Just slight ones.
So, that meditation session the other morning was like coming home. It felt so warm, inviting, relaxing and comforting. Exactly what I needed in fact. Who knew? Well, we know the answer to that… 🤔
I’m reclaiming my body and soul. That’s what I’m doing. I’m looking to work through the latest threats to my balanced life with Brigid, and get back to a place with my body and soul where I feel happy.
Even the gym has fallen by the wayside in recent months. I just didn’t have the energy or time to do it.
What does this look like for me?
Well, it means I’ve been taking estradiol (HRT for those who know) and it has helped my energy, sleep and mood immensely. Sunday night notwithstanding. So I’m back to rebuilding the structure that really works for me: the morning meditation and movement. The prepared meals rather than canteen meals. Making time for the gym. Making time for myself that doesn’t involve either fiddling on the phone or randomly flicking through crap on the telly.
And don’t forget, “balance” doesn’t equal “equal”. There is a difference. So, for the last few months, work had to take centre stage, there’s been a lot going on. But now, it’s time to rebalance and spend a bit of extra time on the things I mention above, rather than work and, well, rebalance.
What could this look like for you?
Well… much the same. Do an assessment of your life. Are you happy with the time your spending on mind, body and soul? Are you happy with finances, housing solutions, relationships? Mind, body and soul might not be the perfect mix for you, but there is something out there that will work to support you in achieving the balance you need.
And if you want to have some focused sessions with me on this, feel free to reach out and book a Brigid Session. But spend some time considering where you’re lacking balance and where you’re asking Brigid to help.
The usual cautions about asking for non-specific help apply though!!
After the dirty mire of my post earlier this week, I wanted to do a bit of a brain cleanser and work towards something positive. So I wanted to write a bit about the Brigid Sessions. I’m having a lot of fun with people joining these sessions, and because they are a short, focused means of coaching, it helps a lot more people.
So you’re selling something?
Well, yes. That is the base of this deal. For a price of $227 or €197, you get three sessions with me.
Session 1: Know Yourself (45–60 mins) We begin with you. Your gifts, your resources, and the places in your life where Brigid’s energy is most needed. This is a deep, intuitive dive into your personal landscape.
Session 2: Co-Create Your Path (30 mins) Together, we’ll shape your next steps. Whether it’s joining a local group, starting a creative or spiritual project, or something entirely unique—we’ll craft a plan that feels aligned and doable.
Session 3: Refine & Rise (30 mins, one week-ish later) After you’ve had time to explore and reflect, we’ll meet again to adjust and refine. You’ll leave with clarity, confidence, and a sense of sacred momentum.
This is targeted coaching on a single issue. Although, I should warn you, no onewho has signed up so far has ended up delving deep into the issue they thought they were signing up for.
So, no one is getting what they want?
Not exactly.
I’ve had someone sign up to talk about a portable altar, and end up talking about how to gain Brigid’s help in engaging with her mother.
Someone else came in looking for support on connecting with Brigid, we ended up clarifying her meditation practices and how to work through difficult times.
The last example I’ll give is someone going through a very messy, difficult break up. And looking for some Brigid support. We ended up working through water magic and going with the flow.
(OK, if I’m honest, there’s been more than one example that would fit into the above three samples. I’m trying to keep things vague enough so people don’t feel identified, while concrete enough to let you see what’s going on).
But as always with Brigid, things are rarely clear cut. And sometimes that first session, the deep dive into your current situation, resources, gifts and the bits of your life that Brigid could help with – that’s truly valuable. Hence why it’s so long, compared to the other two.
Because once you get clear on what and where you want that help, the asking for help is reasonably straightforward.
Who is this for?
Well for anyone. But as ye all know, I predominantly work with women, coming out of a rigid spiritual set-up, usually from a Catholic/ Christian background, with an interest in Irish spirituality.
As well as people looking for an extremely practical approach to things.
This is highly unlikely to end up giving you energetic work to do. It’s far more likely to have you out digging a garden than praying. Prayer is always a useful part of life. Don’t get me wrong. But in my experience, prayer supports practical action, not the other way around.
So, is there a thorny issue in your side that you want to deal with? Are you prepared for some close questioning to get to the root of your issue?
Is there something you feel you can ask Brigid for help with, but it feels vague and airy-fairy?
Given the mess that is in the US right now, I’m doing the same here as I do for the Hope and Healing Hub. For every full paying session, I’m gifting one as well.
So, if money is an issue, reach out and I’ll put you on the list.
Most of all?
Remember Brigid looks after the cowless. She worked to help women in her community. She stands for those women in male-dominated professions.
Her help is there – but she won’t cross the line without being asked.
Yeah, I’m jumping on the Charlie Kirk bandwagon. For the record, before we get into the nuance of this situation I want to make a few things clear:
I lean hard left – basic universal income, everyone has a right to human dignity, being human and worthy of rights doesn’t depend on so-called “productivity” type left
I think fewer guns in circulation would solve a lot of US issues
I suppose trade unions, community action, <40 hour working week, working parents/guardians/ carers supports, and a lot more
I’m pro-LGBTQIA+ and think that people should be able to dress what as they want.
I’m also firmly of the opinion that what consenting adults do in private is their own business. As soon as either consent, adults or private is no longer the case, then the law has the right to intervene.
So, with all that said, ye already know this isn’t going to be a ringing endorsement of Charlie Kirk, right?
Who was Charlie Kirk?
I got to be honest here: before this man was murdered, I hadn’t heard of him in a way to take notice of him. And looking back at his career, that makes sense. With the whole global shitshow going on right now, I don’t pay attention to every right wing speaker on college campuses in the States.
Sorry, but that’s just the way life is.
But here we go:
Charlie Kirk was born in Chicago (I think) on 14th October 1993. He was born into what he has described as a “moderate” Republican family. His first taste of fame came when he appeared on Fox Business at age 17, for writing an essay for Breitbart News on the apparent liberal bias in education (according to him…)
This appears to have given him a taste for the limelight. (That sentence right there is pure opinion on my part, by the way.) But seeing as how he went on to fund Turning Point USA the following year, an organisation ostensibly to “advocate for conservative politics on high school, college and university campuses”. No, I’m not linking to the websites for this, I find them troubling, disgusting and creepy.
As part of Turning Point USA, the Professor Watchlist was published. This is a list which outlines and lists academic staff that Turning Point USA deem to “discriminate against conservative students, promote anti-American values and advance leftist propaganda in the classroom.” In the days since Charlie Kirk’s murder, I’ve seen many professors, academics and other people involved in teaching people from primary school to college saying this list has lead to abuse, intimidation and general health and safety concerns for those listed on it.
The debate…
One of the things I have heard about Charlie Kirk is that he was one of the few people still willing to debate issues concerning both the right and left wing in US politics. All I can say is, that having listening to some of the rhetoric he considered debating, I shudder for the state of politics in the US. He browbeat opponents, often people years his junior. He used all sorts of straw man argument. Ad hominem attacks. Devil’s advocate type approaches. A lot of cherry picking of statistics… Listen, go look up the wikipedia article above on straw man arguments. Then look at the “see also” list below it. There’s pretty much a lovely list there that covers a lot of what Charlie Kirk used in his debates.
For example, in the “debate”, during which he was murdered, he was engaging in the following exchange:
ATTENDEE: Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?
KIRK: Too many. [Applause]
ATTENDEE: In America, it’s five. Now, five is a lot, right, I’m going to give you — I’m going to give you some credit. Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?
KIRK: Counting or not counting gang violence?
Now, the fact that Charlie Kirk was anti trans is well established – we’ll get into some of his more horrible quotes later, but Snopes has debunked this theory that in the US, mass shooters are disproportionately transgender. From what I can see, on that page linked above in SNopes and they’re basing their figures on the Violence Prevention Project, 96% of all mass shooters, according to their definition of mass shootings, are cis male.
0.5% (or 1) were transgender.
Charlie Kirk in his own words
Now, I’m taking a lot of the following quotes from the Guardian article on him. Using his own words. Fair warning, we’re looking at racism, sexism, anti-immigration, anti-islamic, very right wing, horrible words below. So, read on at your peril.
On race
If I see a Black pilot, I’m going to be like, boy, I hope he’s qualified.
– The Charlie Kirk Show, 23 January 2024
If you’re a WNBA, pot-smoking, Black lesbian, do you get treated better than a United States marine?
If I’m dealing with somebody in customer service who’s a moronic Black woman, I wonder is she there because of her excellence, or is she there because of affirmative action?
If we would have said that Joy Reid and Michelle Obama and Sheila Jackson Lee and Ketanji Brown Jackson were affirmative action picks, we would have been called racists. Now they’re coming out and they’re saying it for us … You do not have the brain processing power to otherwise be taken really seriously. You had to go steal a white person’s slot to go be taken somewhat seriously.
We record all of it so that we put [it] on the internet so people can see these ideas collide. When people stop talking, that’s when you get violence. That’s when civil war happens, because you start to think the other side is so evil, and they lose their humanity.
– Kirk discussing his work in an undated clip that circulated on X after his killing.
Prove me wrong.
– Kirk’s challenge to students to publicly debate him during the tour of colleges he was on when he was assassinated.
On gender, feminism and reproductive rights
Reject feminism. Submit to your husband, Taylor. You’re not in charge.
– Discussing news of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement on The Charlie Kirk Show, 26 August 2025
The answer is yes, the baby would be delivered.
– Responding to a question about whether he would support his 10-year-old daughter aborting a pregnancy conceived because of rape on the debate show Surrounded, published on 8 September 2024
We need to have a Nuremberg-style trial for every gender-affirming clinic doctor. We need it immediately.
America was at its peak when we halted immigration for 40 years and we dropped our foreign-born percentage to its lowest level ever. We should be unafraid to do that.
The great replacement strategy, which is well under way every single day in our southern border, is a strategy to replace white rural America with something different.
We’ve been warning about the rise of Islam on the show, to great amount of backlash. We don’t care, that’s what we do here. And we said that Islam is not compatible with western civilization.
I think it’s worth it to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the second amendment to protect our other God-given rights. That is a prudent deal. It is rational.
– Event organized by TPUSA Faith, the religious arm of Kirk’s conservative group Turning Point USA, on 5 April 2023
Why am I writing about this man?
There’s a few reasons. First, it’s a key debate that many of my US based audience are dealing with right now. Second, the truth is rarely black and white. Although in this case, it appears to be reasonably extremely dark grey and extremely light grey. Third, Brigid told me to.
I’ve seen a lot of hatred of this man on social media over the last few days, and a lot of hatred for the hatred if that makes sense. But one comment – made against a friend of mine – stood out.
“In this country [Ireland], we don’t speak ill of the dead.”
Now, traditionally, this has been held to be the “respectable” position. Check here for why I don’t consider respectable a reasonable status most of the time. But that phrase “don’t speak ill of the dead” struck a chord with me. Because, as a rule, in Ireland, it has been the case. People don’t tend to speak ill of someone once they’ve passed. They can no longer defend themselves, after all.
But that approach has been changing, and changing for the better. Not everyone who dies on this island is a saint, and families are ever more able and capable of addressing the dark deeds of the past and not bury them with the dead. “Don’t speak ill of the dead” has been used for generations to silence victims – of rape, of abuse, of torture… And it’s important in our decolonisation as a country, a nation and a people that we speak out now.
So, while it’s acting against everything that’s been taught us, I think it behoves us to act when we see people sanctifying and glorifying someone who espoused evil while they were alive.
His. Own. Words.
I have no problem hanging Charlie Kirk out to dry with his own words. There are plenty of people who support them. I’m not one of those people. This man stood for pretty much everything I see wrong with this world. He stood for fascism in a time when fascism is a very real threat in the world. He sought to silence those who spoke out against his world view.
I mean, he helped enact and supported policies to keep the poor, poor. The downtrodden under the boot. To keep minorities in their place – well, their place as he saw it. And in particular, the LGBQIA+ community. Various parties are actively engaging in conversations to promote him as a bastion of debate. Having tainted my brain with some of his so-called debates – they weren’t debates as I know them. They were attempts to force people to accept his point of view.
And, having now tainted my brain like that, I’m very happy to accept that there are people out there celebrating his death.
Charlie Kirk wasn’t Hitler. But he could have been a very high ranking Nazi, holding the views that he did. I can see him standing right beside the Führer at one of the mass rallies. Because he did organise mass rallies all over the US. And tolerated no dissent from his views.
Celebrate life, not death
Yeah, this one is tough. And it links to “don’t speak ill of the dead” or “if you can’t say something nice, say nothing at all”.
And that’s all fine and dandy, most of the time. But not when basic human rights are being eroded all over the world and a massive swing towards the right, towards the fascist ideologies are coming to the fore.
I can see people reaching back to the Brehon laws, highlighting the ones that lean into that right wing stretch. But I’ve never claimed to want to recreate the Brehon laws in totality. The world has moved on. My worth and my word are not half my husband’s. I’m not my husband’s property, or my father’s for that matter. There are times they are both hugely grateful they can’t be held responsible for my actions.
So, for all the people drawing on that “Brehon laws said…” yeah, they did. But they weren’t perfect. They were built for the communities they supported over 1500 years ago. Not modern society.
We have different understandings of people’s roles in society now. A better understanding of equality under the law.
Anyone who is reaching out and saying we should support Charlie Kirk as Irish people because he held true to ancient laws… They’re full of shit and using bits and bobs of our heritage for their own gain.
What I am and am not interested in
I’m not interested in recreating the Ireland of 1500 years ago, or of 3000 years ago. We developed far more and far better solutions to our issues and governance than our ancestors had. I’m interested in building a better society for all of us.
And I’m tying into Brig Ambue here. Looking for the less well off, the hopeless, the ones that don’t have a future. How do we, as a community, serve those people? I’m not interested in holding people down. I want all people to play an active role in society, as best suits them.
That doesn’t necessarily mean holding to traditional gender roles. I don’t rule it out, but honestly – I don’t do that, so why would I expect anyone else to do that? Look at my linkedin profile if you’re interested in how I can say that. Yeah, there are solid reasons I feel closer to the Smith than the Poet or the Healer.
I don’t think that people who have children out of wedlock are to be damned. Why would I? They’re still human. Neither they nor their offspring deserve to be treated differently. Other than considering what supports they might need in life.
I’m not joining in the celebrations of Charlie Kirk’s death. He just wasn’t important enough in my life for that.
So what am I saying?
I understand the many people who are celebrating this death.
Yeah, I think it’s ironic he died in a shooting incident, given his views on gun control.
I feel sorry for his children, having lost their father. I hope they can grow up in a place of love, not hate. And with a bit of luck, they will not have a path to escape their father’s rigid spirituality.
His wife? No, not overly sorry for her. She supported him. And as far as I can tell, shared his views.
I hope the politicians and commentators who have been besmirching the left over the last few days can come to their sense on key issues now. I don’t hold out much hope. But there’s some hope there.
The young man who killed Charlie Kirk? I hope he gets the treatment he deserves.
To those of you still clinging to the “be nice” side of the coin: I hope you never have to confront a situation where “being nice” serves to cause harm to you or those around you. I don’t live in that space.
Being honest hurts people sometimes. And there are times it’s not necessary. “Charlie Kirk held extreme views on abortion” is not the same as “I hated that casserole”. And yes, I think forcing victims of rape to carry their rapists child is an extreme view. Charlie Kirk said that about his own daughter – that he would force her to carry the child.
He was a horrible obnoxious human being and the world is better off without him. (And yes, that there is another opinion of mine, just to finish off the post).
The last few weeks have been a roller coaster of feeling small and how it affects us. So, today I want to talk about the different ways in which Brigid takes up space.
And, possibly more importantly, how we can learn from it!
The death of a son
I’ve spoken about Ruadhán’s death before on the blog. And there’s a whole course on the excerpt over in the school. So, I have a lot to say about this aspect of Brigid. But today, I’m going to talk about her taking up space.
Primarily, in the enemy camp of the Fomorians.
Seriously – Brig followed Ruadhán to his father’s presence in the Fomorian assembly.
But after the spear had been given to him, Rúadán turned and wounded Goibniu. He pulled out the spear and hurled it at Rúadán so that it went through him; and he died in his father’s presence in the Fomorian assembly. Bríg came and keened for her son. At first she shrieked, in the end she wept. Then for the first time weeping and shrieking were heard in Ireland. (Now she is the Bríg who invented a whistle for signalling at night.)
I mean, on the one hand, she was the wife of Bres (at one time anyway) and the mother of the dead child. So, we’re looking at someone who could be deemed to belong there.
But equally, she had fairly obvious strong ties to the Tuatha De Danann camp, potentially far stronger than a rotten marriage to a deposed king.
Was this a safe place for Brig?
Probably not. But she took up the space she needed. She keened. Mourned her son. And did what needed to be done.
Brigid taking up space – and food
OK, so the myriad of ways in which Brigid takes space and food throughout her hagiographies is vast.
Brigid, taking up space in Kildare!
She gives away butter – then makes sure the dairy provides what’s needed for the family anyway. She feeds an old hound from the meat meant for guests, and still manages to have enough for the guests. (Although in that case, the guests felt ashamed by her actions and decided to give their food to the poor in imitation of her actions)
Every store of food which she saw and served used to grow. She bettered the sheep: she tended the blind: she fed the poor.
Not to mention the time she gave away a valuable chain and her nuns came to her complaining they’d no money for food and clothes, when she came out with this zinger:
‘Ye are sinning,’ saith Brigit: ‘Go ye into the church : the place wherein I make prayer, there will ye find your chain.’ They went at Brigit’s word. But, though it had been given to the poor man, the virgins found their chain therein.
Brigit went to Bishop Ibair that he may mark out her city for her. So they came thereafter to the place where Kildare is to-day. That was the season and the time that Ailill son of Dunlaing, with a hundred horse-loads of peeled rods, chanced to be going through the ground of Kildare. Two girls came from Brigit to ask for some of the rods, and they got a refusal. Forthwith all the horses were struck down under their loads against the ground. Stakes and wattles were taken from them, and they arose not until Ailill son of Dunlaing had offered unto Brigit those hundred horse-loads; and thereout was built Saint Brigit’s house in Kildare.
I mean, blackmail might not be quite the word here, but it’s certainly implied blackmail.
Sure what would the man be doing with that many rods anyway???
Standing up for justice
Now you might think that Brigid didn’t have much to do with justice, but she freed captives.
Brigit went into the province of Fir Ross to loosen a captive who was in manu with the King of Ross. Said Brigit: ‘Wilt thou set that captive free for me?’ The King replied: ‘Though thou shouldst give me the realm of the men of Breg, I would not give him to thee. But go not with a refusal,’ saith the King. ‘For one night thou shalt have the right to guard his life for him.’ Then Brigit appeared at the close of day to the captive and said to him: ‘When the chain shall be opened for thee repeat this hymn, Nunc populus, and turn to thy right hand and flee.’ Thus it is done, and the captive flees at the word of Brigit.
rigit, and certain virgins with her, went to Bishop Mél, in Telcha Mide, to take the veil. Glad was he thereat. For humbleness Brigit staid, so that she might be the last to whom the veil should be given. A fiery pillar arose from her head to the ridgepole of the church. Bishop Mél asked: ‘What virgin is there?’ Answered MacCaille: ‘That is Brigit,’ saith he. ‘Come thou, O holy Brigit,’ saith Bishop Mél, ‘that the veil may be sained on thy head before other virgins.’
It came to pass then, through the grace of the Holy Ghost, that the form of ordaining a bishop was read over Brigit. MacCaille said that ‘The order of a bishop should not be (conferred) on a woman.’ Dixit Bishop Mél: ‘No power have I in this matter, inasmuch as by God hath been given unto her this honour beyond every woman.’ Hence, it is that the men of Ireland give the honour of bishop to Brigit’s successor.
Yup, she was ordained a bishop and hence the honour of a bishop and precedence was granted to Brigid’s successor – until 1169 when the then successor was raped by Dermot McMurrough’s troops and divested of her station. (And then threw in McMurrough’s niece as reverend mother who then in turn, gave up her precedence to take her “proper place” behind the men…)
Not to mention healing a leper and then re-infecting him because of his behaviour afterwards.
What can we learn from this?
Sometimes, we have to venture into discomfort to learn things. I’m not one that says every bad experience is a teaching moment – well ok, maybe I am, even if the teaching moment is that some people are assholes. But there are times when we, like Brigid, take up space in ways that just isn’t comfortable. Discomfort doesn’t mean it’s bad. It just means it’s not comfortable and not habitual.
Sometimes, taking up space makes us a target in ways we don’t like. That doesn’t mean it’s not worthwhile or that we avoid doing it. Sometimes, you feel the fear and do it anyway. At other times, you look at the risks and decide something isn’t worth it.
But don’t take the smaller stance just by default. Because there isn’t a clear way to win then.
Brigid was born of a slave – according to the hagiographies. And her mother is completely unknown in the pre-Christian lore. Her husband was a bad king. Her child(ren) (depending on which lore you’re reading) was (were) killed. Justly or unjustly, depending on your point of view.
And yet she endures. She was ordained a bishop. She founded a monastic institution that resonates through the centuries to us. We hold her close as Poet, Smith and Healer.
Brigid took up, and still takes up, space. In Ireland and elsewhere.
Not my usual topics, I know – linking Brigid and Morality. But there’s a broader theme, here, I promise!
For a change, I’m covering something a bit topical in the wider world: The Coldplay Debacle. To be clear, Coldplay has nothing to do with this at all. Well, other than this couple being at one of their concerts.
I’ve got to be honest, my housemate shared with with me the relevant picture, with the words, “Have you heard about the Coldplay scandal?” And I was genuinely shocked. For someone who grew up in a time when Gary Glitter was synonymous with 2rock scandal”, Coldplay is just not in the same league.
And no, I’m not linking to anything mentioning Gary Glitter.
If you like your scandals a bit more manageable, check out the behaviour of the major bands from the 70’s and 80’s. Throwing tellies out the window, drunken debauchery with possible teenagers, random acts of “rockstardom”… seriously. Way back in the depths of Gen X youth, rock stars were rebels. Coldplay? Not so much.
Obligatory picture of Chris Martin from the concert in question.
Extramarital affairs
Now, most of the time, I say what consenting adults do in private is their own business. And I stand by that. No one has any right to be telling any consenting adult what they can and can’t do.
But, as humans, we have obligations to others in our lives. And for me, a major obligation is a life partner to whom you’ve promised fidelity. So, this post isn’t covering polygamous relationships. Not the ones where all parties are fully aware and knowledgeable about the extent of the polygamy and agree to it.
But an affair is different. Very different.
For a start, at least one party to the relationship hasn’t consented to this element of the relationship. I mean, most of us like to know who we’re sleeping with, even by proxy.
Brigid doesn’t dictate morality to us. There are no “10 Commandments” in any pagan spirituality. Even the famous Wiccan Rede is a) applicable to only a small element of paganism and b) not exactly what it says on the tin. Our morality is up to us to define and live up to.
So, why am I writing about extramarital affairs?
Spirituality, Brigid and morality
I said above that Brigid doesn’t give us a list of rules to run our lives by. That’s not the way her morality works. I’ve written before on how she informs my ethics, but that’s just not the same as morality for me. So, how do I look at this?
Morals can be defined as “standards of behaviour” or ” principles of right and wrong”. But there so much nuance involved here. It’s very easy to say “killing people is wrong”.
But then…
Brigid doesn’t ask us to roll over and not defend ourselves. There are few people in the world that would argue against fighting back to save your own life. Or to save the life of an innocent.
We each draw the line where think it’s best placed. Thankfully, I’ve not killed a person in my life. But I know from friends of mine who have served in the armed forces that taking a life leaves a mark.
It’s not necessarily a black mark or an evil mark, but it’s a change. Brigid doesn’t dictate “no killing”. But she has rules around right relationship. And when death is appropriate and when it is not.
If we are to live in line with our morals and with Brigid, how then do we decide what are our morals?
Determining our morals
For me, saying I won’t kill in most circumstances is a fairly easy choice to make. Joining any armed forces was never really a consideration for me. Being in a situation where killing a person was a reality has also not been a consideration for me.
I live a quiet life in many ways.
But just extend that out then. Does Brigid and my own morality limit how I imagine behaving with others? I hope not, because there are times and days that imagining some grievous harm to others is what gets me through the day! I know in reality it’s completely unrealistic and extremely unlikely to happen, but y’know…
Equally, when it comes to extramarital affairs: if both parties in a marriage agree to an open relationship, that to me isn’t an affair and isn’t a moral issue. But when one party decides to cheat and the other party isn’t aware of it – that’s a definite moral issue. Or it is to me.
There are people who view the bonds of marriage differently. For centuries, marriage was a business transaction, not a romantic one. And of course, rich and powerful men (usually men, but sometimes women) have always been able to get away with adultery with few consequences. Ahem. it becomes an issue when one party expects fidelity and the other doesn’t.
So, when looking at walking Brigid’s path and determining your own morality guidelines, what should you consider?
The ultimate test for morality – and Brigid!
For me, the test has never been Brigid, morality or indeed anyone else. For me, the test is whether I can look at myself in the mirror or not. Brigid and morality have little to do with it, but that’s my test as to whether I’m happy with my behaviour or not.
Because while I might agree, in general, that killing people is wrong, if someone threatened my niece? Totally different story. I’d willingly give up my own life and others to save her. (Hopefully this will never be tested, mind)
When you look into yourself, do the inner work, really assess yourself and you’re happy with what you see? Chances are, you’re probably ok.
But if you’re hiding your face from a kiss cam at a concert?
I’ve written before, on several occasions about Brigid, the sea and healing, which is reminiscent of the Brigid sea’s soothing nature.
A picture of me in the sea at Tramore – healing with Brigid
But a few weeks ago, I was reminded why I associate Brigid with the sea and healing so much. Now the history of healing and the sea is long established. Anyone who has ever read Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Anne Bronte (or indeed her sisters, Charlotte and Emily) will know that “taking the sea air” was considered a remedy in 19th century Britain at least. (And because of colonialism, in Ireland as well – for those that could afford it!)
That was mostly due to the lack of pollution in sea side areas, as well as the fashion for promenading along the sea front and taking some time away from the stresses of modern living, akin to the gentle embrace of the Brigid sea. Personally, I can’t think of much more stressful than having to change outfits 20 times a day and trying to catch a good husband, who I would then go on to live with from the age of <20… (I may be exaggerating the average experience here, but y’know – it’s my blog!)
And I can equally think that getting enough food on the table might be every so slightly stressful for those not in the higher echelons of society. Not to mention, keeping everyone semi-healthy, alive, clothed… Stress was high in previous centuries. It was just a bit more obvious than today’s stress. But either way, I can’t see how the sea doesn’t help with stress!! From the shore anyway.
Brigid’s links with the sea
Alright, being fair about it, the only story I’ve ever come across linking the deity and the sea was the folk tale in Courtney Weber’s book, where Brigid and Bres met on the seashore to mourn Ruadhán. Neither she nor I have been able to find the source for that – but I’ve not given up yet! Such stories connect Brigid and the sea in intriguing ways.
However.
However.
Let’s not give up hope yet. Through the saint, Brigid is closely related to healing wells. And healing wells have water in them. Usually, anyway. As I have said before, you can’t walk more than a few paces on this island before tripping over a healing well, a stream, a pond, whatever-you’re-having-yourself…
We’re a wet country. Comes from all the rain. We have a lot of wells. We have a lot of water in general. (OK, the water authority will declare drought after 20mins without rain, but they’re known for being a bit concerned about things like that!)
And sea water is basically rain water that’s travelled from the fields to the sea. It’s still water. And therefore linked to Brigid. Even without the folk tale.
But the folk tale is an interesting one – particularly when one of the options for Formorians was coming from either over or under the sea. (Seeing as Ireland was an island, well how else would they get here!) So, seeing as how Brigid married into the Formorians through Bres, she has a link at least to the sea.
Aside from the possibility that Brigid herself came from over the sea (I’ll write a blogpost on this another time. It’s linked to the idea that Brigid came to Ireland via the Brigantes from Northern England. Yes, I have feelings about this…)
The sea itself
Now, bathing in sea water is beneficial for all sorts of things.
Skin Health: Seawater is rich in minerals like magnesium, zinc, and potassium, which can help reduce inflammation and soothe skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
Respiratory Issues: Saltwater can help with symptoms of hay fever, sinusitis, and asthma.
Immunity: Seawater can help boost a weakened immune system, although more research is needed to confirm this.
Stress Reduction: The relaxing environment of the sea and the minerals in seawater can help lower cortisol levels and promote relaxation.
Pain Relief: Seawater has been used to ease pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders.
Wound Healing: Some believe that seawater can help heal wounds and prevent infections.
In my family, sea water is notorious for helping with ingrown toenails that get infected and athlete’s foot. And I can confirm that definitely my hayfever symptoms improve dramatically from spending time by the sea. (My hayfever symptoms also improve dramatically from spending time in Monart‘s Alpine salt grotto. But driving to Tramore is significantly cheaper. Usually.)
Now, of course, not all of the above might apply to you. But even the salt content in sea water means people can float a lot easier. And it’s so relaxing on a calm day to bob about in the water. Staring into nothing. A great way to let your thoughts and mind calm a little bit.
Just even from a mindfulness point of view, I highly recommend it.
Healing at home
I appreciate not everyone has the ability to pop off to the seaside when the mood takes them. But there are ways you can do it at home.
A salt water bath is the obvious idea. Add some salt – yes, even just normal table salt – to your bathwater and soak a while. If a bath is beyond you, try a foot bath.
I find it a wonderful way to ground myself as well as just feeling good.
If you live in a hot climate, use lukewarm water. If you’re feeling cold, use warmer or hot water. Just remember, the hotter the water, the more salt you can dissolve.
You can of course add in all sorts of other things as well: seaweed is pretty easily available in Ireland these days, I’m not sure about elsewhere. If you’re trying to clear out sinuses, I find Vick’s extremely good. Science says the menthol only tricks your brain into believing your sinuses are clear, but frankly, I feel better after using it and that’s good enough for me. So, a dob of Vick’s and some salt in some boiling water, with a towel over your head helps immensely.
Be careful and you do you
As always – you can take the healing advice with a pinch of salt. I am only a random person on the internet and am filling you in on my family’s habits. These may or may not work for you. I know there are people with skin conditions who find sea water inflames the condition and doesn’t help at all. Dipping yourself in salt water with an open wound stings like hell. It might not be your cup of tea.
That’s ok, you do you.
But if you’re feeling stressed, out of sorts, miserable, up in a heap and can get to the sea… just give it a go. If nothing else, in Ireland at least, there’s usually a sea breeze to clear out the cobwebs!!
And if all else fails, a bit of seawater in a sealed jar for your altar won’t hurt!
As some of you may be aware, my group coaching program is starting again at the end of July (so there’s still time to join up if you want to!) And while Brigid’s Path is the name I gave the framework I developed and use, people have been asking why I chose the word “collective” to describe the group. Well, now the time has come to dive a bit deeper into my thinking.
Meaning of collective
Usually at this point, I’d hit dictionary.com and give ye a meaning from there. But right now – that doesn’t really work. There are elements of the word “collective” that I want to parse out a bit given the focus of this group.
a group of people acting as one
a cooperative enterprise which we commonly call a collective effort
a group of entities that share or are motivated by at least one common issue or interest
shared by or involving every member of a group of people
It’s the group element that most stands out to me here. But also elements of cooperation. Working together. Striving together towards a common goal as part of a true collective.
A collaborative group working together = collective
It’s the idea that the enterprise is a group effort. That the people within the group support each other and help each other along the way. This doesn’t mean every decision is a collective decision – the times we can hold sessions are limited by time differences and availability.
Why though?
As humans, our greatest achievements are as a collective. Seriously – think of all the major achievements in human history – the vast majority weren’t single, stand alone efforts. Being blunt about it, most of us humans just aren’t cut out to be singles. We belong in groups.
And yes, I know – that’s rich coming from me! I stand by my need for alone time, but I also know the importance of the group in any difficult endeavour.
mammoth hunts
growing food
building anything bigger than a shack
developing supports for those less able
collective bargaining/ unions
United Nations
European Union
Ben and Jerry’s
Yeah, I know – possibly ice cream doesn’t belong on that list, but it does bring happiness to millions. And they’re good about ethics as well. So feck it.
From the dawn of time – or at least since humans climbed out of the primordial goo (yes, I know there was a bit of development in between!) – collaborative collectives work better. For most of us.
OK fine, but inner work is personal
Absolutely correct. Inner work is nearly always personal. But there are also a lot of trends and commonalities and it’s so much nicer to have someone walking the path alongside you. OK, it won’t be exactly the same path. I can pretty much guarantee that!
But it will be a similar one. Because we all go through the same shit when trying to grow. There’s pain. And there’s realisation. There’s growth. There’s all sorts of stuff, all made easier with the support of a collective.
If nothing else, having other people around you while you’re going through these exercises and the inner work, means there are people around you for support. For understanding. For even the vaguest comprehension of the types of insights you’re gaining. The laughter, the tears, the hugs, the shoulders… it’s all there.
Y’see, everyone walks their own path. Definitely. But walking Brigid’s Path is about more than your path. It’s about the collective path as well. If you look at the core tenets of pretty much any of the modern religions in the world, they look at the collective experience.
Yes, even Christianity. Despite what various fundamentalist sects are trying to claim. Please read the below post on Jesus.
A post stolen from Facebook or X/Twitter. But I got it from Facebook.
And no – not everyone walking Brigid’s Path is or ever was Christian. It’s not a requirement at all. It’s just that a lot of the people I work with come from Christian backgrounds.
And it’s easy after a few centuries, or millennia, of patriarchal behaviour to forget the basics.
High control religion, again??
Yes, high control religion again.
The vast majority of those who chose to walk Brigid’s Path are coming from high control religions. And that doesn’t always mean a minority cult. That can mean mainstream religions.
It takes time to recover from these. I’ve described before what I consider to be a high control religion. I won’t repeat that list here, but I will say this: many of us have grown up in high control environments. Too many of us carry scars from that childhood.
This isn’t attacking anyone’s parents or upbringing. Most parents did and do the best they can with the knowledge and resources they had/have. But that also doesn’t mean we can’t unpack what we learned and suffered. And it’s a lonely road to walk on your own.
Something high control religion gets right is the comfort of the group, of the collective. The comfort in other people experiencing similar things to those you are experiencing. It’s enticing, seductive in ways we don’t even realise.
Yes, even those of us who are inherently introverted. Introverted doesn’t mean never needing company. It just means needing a different sort of company.
So… collective
Yes, a collective. A collective for me is a group of people working together on similar projects or towards a similar goal. It’s not a team in the sense that it breaks up after said goal is reached. The understanding that the “goal” might be changeable, or as different awarenesses are reached, might be completed different to that when we started together is key.
This isn’t failure. The whole aim here is to help people understand key aspects about themselves. To develop a path for themselves that is supportive and helpful, not contained and controlled.
There might be elements of control, but it’s self control, not control imposed from outside. It’s an agreement with self, in particular with the inner self. The bit that maintains the core of who we are. And the collective is as safe a space as I can make it to explore these issues and let each person decide for herself what’s right for her.
And it’s about taking action and being held to account for taking that action. There’s power in that as well. A collective action is only as strong as each individual member…
As I type this, there is still one place open on the collective for this year. Click on the link to find out more.
