I've really been enjoying my time in Ireland. Connecting with my family, reconnecting with the land. Autumn has always been one of my favourite seasons. It's funny that I have ended up living in a place, where that season doesn't really exist. It always seems to just go from summer to Winter. So to be here and witness the glorious way in which the trees change, the beautiful colours that the leaves turn, before they drop to the ground. Oh what a sight it is to behold.
It is magical and it feels like home. My true home. I am sure, that one day I will return to live here, it just will not be now. I still have some things to do. But oh it has felt good, to walk this land. To breathe in the air and hug some trees. To retrace the footsteps that my ancestors made and to now make my own. A huge part of my spirituality, is connected to Ireland. To the real history, to the Goddesses that have shaped it and looked after it. One of my favourites, being Brigid. I have written about her on here in the past.
Today, most people know her as a Saint. But to those, who hold onto the older wisdom of this land, she is our Goddess, our protector. The Maiden, our Goddess of Birth and Motherhood. There are many stories about her, one of the most famous, is how she approached a Chieftain in Ireland, to ask for some land. Enough land, that her Cloak could cover. Imagining that this would be just a small piece of land, the Chieftain agreed, so Brigid when to Croghan Hill, stood at the top and threw her cloak, which spread for many kms,(5000 acres) an area called the Curragh, which to this day is still no man's land.
Today I visited her well, with my Mother and my youngest daughter. I had wanted to visit for many years, finally today I did. Previously to our visit, we had been at a Halloween celebration, which was full of kids and very high energy. Visiting Brigid's well, was the perfect way to decompress. The minute we wlaked under the natural Arch, I felt so calm, so at peace.
A very dear friend of mine, grew up around these parts. She passed away over 6 years ago and we had spend a lot of time talking about our Irish heritage, our love of the land and Brigid. I was her Doula when she birthed her son earthside 8 years ago, in Spain, where we met for the first time. I remember the first time I saw her, with her long hair, her glowing presence and her Sheila Na Gig tattoo on her wrist. We hit it off immediately. I called on Brigid when she was birthing her son and here now, at Brigid's well, I felt her presence.
This land, where Brigid herself walked, where she would come to sit and meditate. Where some many come today, to connect with her essence, with her spirit. To ask for her protection, to tie pieces of material to trees, as they pray and express their wishes and desires.
It was the peace I felt there, so calm, so connected. I closed my eyes and felt myself soften, I felt my worries melt away. Here on this sacred site. I dip my hands in the well and gave thanks for what I have received in Life and for what I am yet to receive. Gratitude, is so important, living from a place of gratitude, coming back to places, where you feel at ease, where you feel whole. Where you can breathe in new life, new wishes, new desires. Where I made new commitments to myself. I left, feeling so much lighter.
(All images are mine, taken today, all from Brigid's well except the first which was taken on the walk there.)
