The gentleness of Birch

Left to Right- Birch Grove- Downy Birch leaves- Silver Birch leaves

A Meditation on Birch and Brigit.

​Visualise a light airy wood, a spring wood filled with beautiful flowers that is open and inviting. It may have streams, springs or even waterfalls. Remember you can still connect with the feeling of spring in the depths of winter. Get a sense of the centre of the wood where you will find a birch tree. As you approach the tree notice its silvery bark and light green triangular leaves. Take in any scents and tune in to how the ground and the air feel around you. 

Sit for a while with the Birch absorbing a gentle stillness. Nature can be tentative yet tenacious, gentle yet strong, unfolding many delights slowly breaking the cold spell of winter as well as bringing it on. Meditate on the vital qualities of gentleness and kindness, nurture and sweetness. Feel the embrace of the soft aspects of Mother Nature. 

-meditate- 

As you meditate you sense a presence of a young woman: Brigit.

Let us begin with chanting to Brigit before meeting her:

CH: The Sacred Three My fortress be Encircling me, 
Come and be round My hearth, My home. 

Brighid, Bride, Breeju, lady of the land, the exalted one;I pray to you. 
Three daughters of the Dagdha, Healers of the sick, Muse of the poets, Masters of craft; 
I pray to you. 
Protector of the Green World, Shield Maiden of Animals, Mother of All;I pray to you. 
Power of the Elements, Essence of the Earth, Goddess of all Nature; 
I pray to you. 
Bringer of oxen- Fea and Feimhean, Bringer of pigs- Triath and Torc. 
Guardian of pasture; I pray to you. 
Mother of Goibniun the smith, Luchta the wright, Credne Cerd the metalworker. 
Alchemy of craft; I pray to you. 
Power of the Divine female rising from the womb of the earth, protect us from all calamity, misendeavour and bad intention. 

As we settle in the green birch wood and chant to Brigid we tune into nature, we sense any animals that are with us and when we are ready we make a heartfelt offering to the birch trees.

Brigit approaches us and wraps her mantle around our shoulders which will keep us safe from harm for the coming year. We remember the power of gentleness and all it can bestow upon us.

Our next Woodland Bard evening will continue to explore the Birch Grove and the healing power of herbs on Sunday 21st February @ 6pm.

​All are welcome.

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