By Devi Lanphere, High Priestess, Bridgid’s Weavings
This summer solstice marked my first trip to England and Ireland. My friend and I, both members of Brigid's Weavings, spent hours researching sites to visit, planning routes and securing lodging. As I stated my itinerary to family members my son gave me a funny look and said, “Mom, you aren’t going on vacation. You are going on a pilgrimage.” With a smile, I realized he was right.
It was three strange occurrences that lead me to the conclusion that we must go to England at the Solstice and visit Connemara in Ireland. We both knew there would be powerful rituals as well as changes for us. In England we chose to journey from London to Salisbury to Wales. We spent time at Old Sarum, Stonehenge, Avebury, Glastonbury and Chalice Well. In Ireland, we journeyed from Dublin through Navan to the wild west in Connemara. We visited Newgrange, the Hill of Tara, Boyne Valley, Lough Lir, Dun Anghasa on Inish Mor and some amazing countryside in Connemara. But there were four key locations for this journey, the sacred sites of Brigid.
The first stop was Kildare. Construction seemed to make reaching the well impossible. We were lost several times. Finally, we drove to the church. At St. Brigid’s Cathedral, we beheld a bog oak from Imbolc ceremony, discovered a hidden Sheila-Na-Gig, made a wish through their fairy hole and visited with the wonderful caretakers. We spent quiet time in Fire Tower where the flame is lit each Imbolc. But the most powerful moment came in the round tower. Behind the church, there is a round tower that stands over 108 feet tall. To reach the entrance you climb tall stairs. The walls are over a foot thick. We journeyed up layer-by-layer, floor-by-floor climbing rickety wooden ladders to the top. There we were stunned by the power of the place. We were inspired to chant. We wanted to see the words flowing down the high walls, honoring all who had been before and healing what is now. The descent became a type of rebirth. We chanted as we descended. "Seed of the God, Born of the goddess, Witch & Priestess, I am reborn." I could feel the presence of ancient others among us descending the stairs with candles. At the bottom we rejoined the world by pushing through the thick, narrow rock doorway. We were reborn on our journey and ready to visit the well.
Of course, it was now very easy to find Brigid’s Well. It is a beautiful site that marries both pagan and Christian beliefs. There is a prayer tree and offerings swaying in the breeze. There is a separate altar for St. Brigid and Stations of the Cross. And then there is the well. Baby tears float in the cool sacred waters. There is a stonewall around the well with a place to kneel and receive the gift of the waters. Both a crucifix and a handmade Brigid’s cross mark the site. We were filled with a sense of peace and relaxation. It was a place of meditation, forgiveness and healing. Even now, I can feel the energy of the sacred place. I can see the lush greens of landscape and the clouds that floated above.
Next was the well in Mullingar. This was the most beautiful of all the wells. Again there was a wonderful marriage of pagan and Christian beliefs. The earth mound that covers the flowing waters feel so ancient. There is a Brigid’s Cross carved in the stone above and a battered silver cup to drink from. The cool water is so refreshing and soothes my spirit.
The final well we visited was in Brideswell. This was the only site to have no mention of the pagan times. It is also the saddest site. Stone walls hemmed in the well, moss had overgrown and the water was no longer flowing. There was a tap that brought up water from below but it did not carry the energy of the other wells. We did some healing work there and took the water from the well knowing there would be a future use for it. Later we found a beautiful spring with fresh water bubbling up out of ground. We joined the waters hoping to continue the healing for the Brideswell.
The experience of traveling to these sacred sites was so exceptional that words cannot capture the magic. The waters have come home to use in healing and ritual, but it is the sites that linger in my mind and in my heart. Even now I journey back.