New Brighid Shrine

Biddy - A poem for Brigids Day

Biddy

Early one February morn, a little old Biddy
Comes a knocking on my door.

Says she to I;
“Can you spare some time and hospitality for the poor.”
Say I to her:
“welcome, please come on in, take a brew and have a warm.”

She smiles back at me with a face which appears older than the hills
And as the wind whistles outside,
She sups her tea and takes her fill.

Says she to I:
“I've been known by many names
Some have called me Bride and others - Brigid of the flames.
I'll take you on a journey so that you may see my life,
I bring  gifts of inspiration
And bestow Blessings upon every wife.
I be a midwife and a healer
A Smithy, poet and a Queen,
I walk between both worlds,
Be-twixt the unseen and the seen.

I be the spirit that dances with Maidens
Whom herald in the Spring,
I be the spirit of lovers kissing
Exchanging vows with a wedding ring.

I be the spirit of mothers birthing
Bringing forth, a brand new life,
I be the spirit of human toiling
Overcoming sadness and human strife.”

Say I to her:
“I,m honored by your presence,
truly I don,t know where to begin.”
Says she to I:
“Child, you returned my Blessings
The moment you let me in.”

I turn to her with gratitude
Overwhelmed by both thoughts, of gain and loss,
To find that she has vanished
But left behind her Bridget's cross.

A symbol of corn - woven into death and all that shall be reborn
Says I to myself:
“I'll remember Biddy every sunset and Bridget each new dawn.”

I hang up the corn dolly in my kitchen, for all to view
Then take my old copper kettle, and put it on for another brew.

I gaze out of the window and see Biddy throughout the land
And although she's no longer with me,
I know that she's always their at hand.

Isis Yule Prayer

Isis Yule Prayer

 

Yule Tide returns

As the candle slowly burns

Sending out Blessings Bright

Guided by the might of Isis light.

 

Throughout the darkness she’ll shine

Showering her glory Divine

To all of those who have learned

They're Her children - returned.

 

Giving back as we are blessed

Gifts to others who have less

Her joy then is spread

We see no-one goes unfed.

 

The light of Isis reaches out

Erasing negativity and doubt

That Her Will be done

Restoring balance where their were none.

 

Her warm invigorating light shines beyond the dark

Calling to all through a tiny spark Yule Tide Returns

Come warm beside Her flames

Merge with Isis of 10'000 names.

 

 

Rosie Weaver

Ostara, chocolate eggs and Mother Goose

During our childhood, my sister 'Julie' and I celebrated every Easter time together by seeing which one of us could consume the most chocolate eggs in the shortest amount of time, (hopefully before my parents awoke).
I can still see my younger sister now, surrounded by shiny wrappers with her face covered in chocolate holding her tummy; and me having to call my mum because she was about to be sick everywhere.
Our family, friends & neighbours all gave eggs to us. Throughout the neighbourhood it was a pretty standard practise, most families to indulged their offspring by purchasing a wide array of Easter eggs.
The eggs were proudly displayed upon the shelf like glittering jewels; until that special sunday when the chocolate fest commenced.
On reflection, I can’t think why we were allowed to just munch our ways through mounds of choccy, but I remember how excited we got as children at the prospect of which eggs we were going to unwrap & eat first.
We talked about it for weeks beforehand, and got up as early as we had on xmas morning with the same level of anticipation to be the first to get our hands on those brightly coloured boxes of our hearts desire.
One of the other peculiar practices foisted upon us as children at school consisted of the annual ‘Grande Easter Bonnet parade/competition’.The lucky contestants were lined up like embarrassed Carmen Miranda’s’ along the length of the playground all wearing the offending home made articles that had taken many of the more competitive mothers weeks to construct; prior to the event.
The winning prize (normally an Easter egg) usually went to some child whose father was a set designer for ‘Crossroads’ or of similar ilk.
Later on in life I learned that the word ‘Easter’ derives from Germanic Goddess of Spring called Ostara or Eastre she also has connections with the Greek Goddess of Dawn/Springtime named ‘Eos’. The word for the direction ‘East’ also stems from Eos.
The ancient word for the springtime was thought to be named ‘Eastre’.
Christianity campaigned to win over Pagan holidays through fostering the celebrations themselves and pilfering our more ancient symbolism, finally staking claim to its truer meanings & origins.
Ancient Egyptians held a widespread belief that the universe itself was egg shaped.The womb of the Great Goddess was seen to be an egg.
Creation stories of Gods and Goddesses being born form eggs were well known, Hathor the great goddess of nature shape shifted into a Nile goose called ‘The Great Cackler’ and gave birth to the sun.
Today’s remnants of the old creation stories linger with us still in the form of the pantomime character ‘Mother Goose’ the goose that laid the golden egg.
A common practice which greatly predates Christianity was the painting of eggs by the Anglo Saxon folk who buried the brightly coloured eggs as offerings to Mother Earth buried in the hope that prayers be answered.
The Christian resurrection of Jesus Christ takes also stems from more ancient stories of the birth, death & resurrection of the Isis’s husband Osiris, God of renewal.
Many similar creation stories have been adapted by various cultures/Pantheons throughout the ages with an element of spiritual truth running through each.
The Spring-time symbolism of eggs/ Easter egg hunts/egg decorating/hares/rabbitsand rebirth filter through the ages globally and in time honoured fashion continue to do so from a more ancient nature based religion.
This year when I hand over Easter eggs to my children I shall be pointing out that theirs more to the humble choccy egg than meets the eye.
Hopefully before the ‘choccy fest’ commences they may be interested enough to take some time and learn a little more

NAVIGIUM ISIDIS

On March 5th & 6th an ancient festival took place in Egypt and ancient Rome known as ‘Navigium Isidis’.
It was a great community event, accounts tell of some fabulous processions perhaps our equivalent now would be Notting Hill Carnival held in London or Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

In honour Isis and in remembrance of ‘Navigium Isidis’ I take a little wooden boat to the sea and launch it with my own personal prayers.
Luckily I live very close to a fishing quarter here in Hastings and so it is the ideal place to do this. My little Isis ship will set sail from the fisherman’s beach. The following poem I wrote with these thoughts ….



NAVIGIUM ISIDIS

Many moons ago in the Black lands far away
People joined the procession of Navigium Isidis
Celebrated upon this day.

All our current carnivals with floats derived from this
A mosaic of musical merriment; masks & costumes headed towards the port,
Where the boat of Isis waits; laden with offerings of every sort.

Before She sets sail
She is purified and Blessed
The boat represents Isis
Honoured throughout Her Fest.

She is patroness of sailors
The river Nile and all the seas,
She steers humanity on a journey
Bringing worldly sufferings to ease.

The Mast is raised, as the gentle spring breeze blows
The procession lets out a cheer as the ship of Isis departs,
Off across the waters or maybe to the stars above
Isis is Mistress of All Magick keeper of human hearts.

Out across the distance the Ship of Isis diminishes from sight
The procession continues to celebrate; as daytime turns to night,
Navigium Isidis was celebrated back through the mists of time
Yet still little boats are launched honouring Isis, the Great Mother Divine.




Rosie Weaver. March 09




.

The Magic of Computers and Ritual.

One of my new friends and I have been working with some of the Fellowship of Isis
Rituals and Mystery Drama’s recently.
I read a brilliant article by the Priestess Caroline Wise this week saying just how deep and meaningful these rites are for her and I have to agree 100%.

Even some of the rituals that I have done several times over the years always bring fresh & often profound personal insights.
I’ve been a member of the fellowship of Isis since 1976, and am delighted to see now that all of the rituals and mystery dramas are freely available online for members of the fellowship of Isis to download.
It is such a good idea to have access to the beautiful rites written by one of the co- founders of the F.O.I ‘Lady Olivia Robertson’ whom wrote these works of art whilst in a trance state; it is thanks to her that we may all benefit from these Goddess given gifts.
Over the years I have been privileged to share & celebrate some of the rituals with fellow Isians (as Isis followers often are called).
Other times it has not been possible to link up with other devotee’s and so I perform the Rites solo here at home, from my personal shrine to Isis.
I’m always able to adapt the rituals to suit one person and have found creative ways of performing the Mystery Drama’s solo too!
In a group situation the members would be ‘playing’ the roles themselves; during the rite.
For solo practitioners however I would begin by looking at the various roles included of a specific drama from the Fellowship of Isis Liturgy, next I ‘Google’ images on the internet to find nice pictures that resonates with me for the given roles and characters involved.
It might be for example; of a God or Goddess or any number of characters from various Pantheons, but I always manage to find nice images to use for a ritual/mystery play.
For more creative folk I recommend making your own images through painting/drawing/collage.
Often background music is also recommended to play during the Rite.
Thanks again to the magic of the internet we may also find sites that allow us free access to the required sounds.



For the rite itself I am fortunate enough to have my computer next to my Shrine, which enables me to light my candles & incense, then I will be able to bring the character images up on my computer & also play the required background music as I continue solo with the rite.
The entire effect of being to use evocative images to accompany the rite reminds me of a modern day Victorian puppet theatre.
I can narrate the story of the Mystery Drama myself as I go along and use the characters on screen to add more meaning to the ritual itself.
It’s great fun to try the various role playing of the characters as you read out each of the individual characters ‘lines’ and the beauty of it is that you may keep it as simple or elaborate as you wish.
You may for example like to include images of scenery and further images of the ritual regalia which may be called for in the play. All of these items may be pasted onto one document which you may scroll down to, as required during the play/ritual.



If you’d like to try this for yourself the Rites & Drama’s may be found at:

http://lotuspharia.freeyellow.com/thecircleofisis/id4.html

May I suggest to begin with you try the Rites from the Liturgy booklets of ‘Dea’ and ‘Panthea’.

For those that would like to follow a structured study course please contact me here at:
The Iseum of the Solar Goddess
Blessings
Rosie Weaver
Prs.H. Prs. A

The Charges of the Goddess

The Charges of the Goddess

The Charge of the Goddess is a beautiful poetic affirmation that I like to recall every full moon as do many other Goddess devotee’s.The original version which follows by Doreen Valiente was purported to have been found in a Gardenerian book of shadows and adapted by renowned Priestess Doreen.

Many people prefer to adapt these words into something more personal which resonates with their own belief system. The Charge of the Goddess is a powerful spell which reminds us to honour the divine feminine & also affirm that we can focus on our own goals at this time.
I particularly like the paragraph by Starhawk which states:

“And you who seek to know me, know that the seeking and yearning will avail you not, unless you know the Mystery: for if that which you seek, you find not within yourself, you will never find it without.”

It’s very easy to believe that we need something external to make us happy & that we can not enjoy life without acquiring the love of some particular person or some magical item or even a boob job!

I think that she is telling us to trust in ourselves and the love of the Goddess.

The following are the most popular versions but you may find some others of your own or even prefer to write/adapt one to honour the Goddess at the time of the Full Moon.

By Doreen Valiente

Listen to the words of the Great Mother;

she who of old was also called among men Artemis, Astarte, Athene, Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite, Cerridwen, Cybele, Arianrhod, Isis, Dana, Bride, and by many other names:

Whenever ye have need of anything, once in the month, and better it be when the moon is full, then shall ye assemble in some secret place and adore the spirit of me, who am Queen of all the witches.

There shall ye assemble, ye who are fain to learn all sorcery, yet have not won its deepest secrets; to these will I teach things that are yet unknown.

And ye shall be free from slavery; and as a sign that ye be really free, ye shall be naked in your rites;

and ye shall dance, sing, feast, and make music and love, all in my praise.

For mine is the ecstasy of the spirit and mine also is joy on earth; for my law is love unto all beings.

Keep pure your highest ideal; strive ever towards it; let naught stop you or turn you aside.

For mine is the secret door which opens upon the Land of Youth, and mine is the cup of the wine of life, and the Cauldron of Cerridwen, which is the Holy Grail of immortality.

I am the Gracious Goddess, who gives the gift of joy unto the heart of man.

Upon earth, I give the knowledge of the spirit eternal; and beyond death, I give peace and freedom and reunion with those who have gone before.

Nor do I demand aught in sacrifice; for behold, I am the Mother of all living, and my love is poured out upon the earth.

Hear ye the words of the Star Goddess; she in the dust of whose feet are the hosts of heaven, and whose body encircles the Universe.

I who am the beauty of the green earth, and the white Moon among the stars, and the mystery of the waters, and the desire of the heart of man, call unto thy soul. Arise, and come unto me.

For I am the soul of nature, who gives life to the universe.

From me all things proceed, and unto me all things must return;

and before my face, beloved of Gods and of men, let thine innermost divine self be enfolded in the rapture of the infinite.

Let my worship be within the heart that rejoiceth;

for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals.

And therefore let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honour and humility, mirth and reverence within you

.And thou who thinkest to seek for me, know thy seeking and yearning shall avail thee not unless thou knowest the mystery;

that if that which thou seekest thee findest not within thee, thou wilt never find it without thee.

For behold, I have been with thee from the beginning; and I am that which is attained at the end of desire.

By Starhawk.

Listen to the words of the Great Mother, who of old was called

Artemis, Astarte, Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite,Cerridwen, Diana, Arionrhod, Brigid,

and by many other names:

Whenever you have need of anything, once a month, and better it be when the moon is full, you shall assemble in some secret place and adore the spirit of Me Who is Queen of all the Wise.
You shall be free from slavery, and as a sign that you be free you shall be naked in your rites.

Sing, feast, dance, make music and love, all in my presence, for mine is the ecstasy of the spirit and mine also is joy on Earth.

For My law is love unto all things. Mine is the secret that opens the door of youth, and mine is the cup of wine of life that is the Cauldron of Cerridwen, that is the holy grail of immortality.

I give the knowledge of the spirit eternal, and beyond death I give peace and freedom and reunion with those that have gone before.

Nor do I demand aught of sacrifice, for behold, I am the Mother of all things and my love is poured out upon the Earth.

Hear the words of the Star Goddess, the dust of whose feet are the hosts of Heaven, Whose body encircles the universe.

I who am the beauty of the green earth and the white moon among the stars and the mysteries of the waters, I call upon your soul to arise and come unto me.

For I am the soul of nature that gives life to the universe.

From me all things proceed and unto Me they must return.

Let my worship be in the heart that rejoices, for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals.
Let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honour and humility, mirth and reverence within you.
And you, who seek to know me, know that the seeking and yearning will avail you not, unless you know the Mystery:

for if that which you seek, you find not within yourself, you will never find it without.

For behold, I have been with you from the beginning, and I am that which is attained at the end of desire.

by Stewart Farrar

There shall ye assemble, ye who are fain to learn all sorcery, yet have not won its deeper secrets; to these will I teach all things that are as yet unknown, And ye shall be free from slavery;

and as a sign ye be truly free, you shall be naked in your rites, and ye shall dance, sing and feast, make music and love, all in my praise.

For mine is the ecstasy of the spirit, and more and mine is also Joy on Earth; for my law is love unto all beings.

Keep pure your highest ideals; strive ever towards them, let nothing stop you or turn you aside.

For mine is the secret door which opens upon the Land of Youth, and mine is the cup of the of the wine of life, and the Cauldron of Cerridwen, which is the Holy Vessel of Immortality.

I am the Gracious Goddess, who gives the gift of joy unto the heart of man.

Upon Earth, I give the knowledge of the spirit eternal; and beyond death, I give peace and freedom, and reunion with those who have gone before.

Nor do I demand sacrifice for behold, I am the Mother of all living, and my love is poured out onto the Earth.

I am the beauty of green earth, and the white moon among the stars, and the mystery of the waters, and the desire of the heart of man.

Call unto thy soul, arise, and come unto me.For I am the soul of nature. Who gives life to the universe.
From me all things proceed, and unto me all things must return; and before my face, beloved of Gods and men, let thine innermost divine self be enfolded in the rapture of the infinite.
Let my worship be within the heart that rejoiceth; for behold all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals.

Therefore, let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honour and humility, mirth and reverence within you.

And thou who thinketh to seek for me, know thy seeking and yearning shall avail thee not unless thou knoweth the mystery;

that if that which thy seekest thou findest not within thee, thou wilt never it without thee.
For behold,

I have been with thee from the beginning; and I am that which is attained at the end of desire. So says the Goddess...

by Silver RavenWolf

Hear my words and know me!

I shall be called a million names by all who speak!

I am Eternal Maiden! I am Great Mother! I am the Old One who holds the immortal key!
I am shrouded in Mystery, but am known to every soul.
Hear my words and know me!

Whenever the moon rises in the Heavens shall my children come to me.
Better it be once a month when the moon is full, shall ye assemble in some secret place, such as this, and adore the spirit of I.

I, who am the Queen of Witches! And under my watchful eye, my children shall be taught the mysteries of Earth and Nature, of the ways of all Magick!

That which is unknown shall be known, and that which is hidden shall be revealed, even the secluded soul shall be pierced with my Light.

From my cauldron shall be drunk all knowledge and immortality! Ye shall be free from slavery and ye shall dance, sing, and feast.

Music shall surround you, for mine is the ecstasy of the spirit, and mine is also the joy of the earth!

I do not demand sacrifice! For behold, I am the Mother of all living things!
Create and heal! Be strong, yet gentle. Be noble, yet reverent.
Bring forth and replenish. And, as does the cycle of the Moon ever begin to wax and wane and to grow forth again, as do the seasons from one to the next flow in smooth rhythm, from sowing to reaping, to seeming death and rebirth.....So will my children know their own pattern in both worlds!

And ye shall say these words...I will love and harm none.

I Will live, love, die, and live again. I will meet, remember, and know. And embrace once more
.For the free will of ALL, and with harm to None As I will it now is done So mote it be!

by Charles G. Leland - Aradia

Whenever you have need of anything, one in the month and be it better when the moon is full, then shall you assemble in some secret place and adore the spirit of me, who am the Queen of all witches.

When I have departed from this world, Whenever you have need of anything, Once a month, and when the moon is full, Ye shall assemble in some desert place or in a forest all together join to adore the potent spirit of your Queen My mother, great Diana,

She who fain Would learn all sorcery yet has not won Its deepest secrets, then my mother will Teach her, in truth all things as yet unknown.