Kildare is the site where Brigid built her church. The current one is likely on or near the original spot. The area was already sacred, however. It was the site of an ancient sacred oak. Druids often worshipped beneath an oak. She built her church very near a fire that the local women tended for…
Author: Cindy Thomson
St. Brigid and Groundhog’s Day
In my January newsletter I asked what U.S. observance had ties to St. Brigid’s Day. If you didn’t know, now you do, Groundhog’s Day. St. Brigid’s Day is Feb. 1, the traditional start of spring in Ireland. Brigid was a woman who obscured boundaries. It began with her birth. She was prophetzied to be born…
Happy St. Brigid’s Day!
Now a national holiday in Ireland, St. Brigid’s Day is celebrated not like most saints on the day she died, but on the day of her birth, traditionally the first day of spring in Ireland. It’s said that you can tell when spring will arrive by watching the hedgehog. If he’s out and about, spring…
Make a St. Brigid Cross
It’s the eve of St. Brigid’s Day and the day for making crosses. Traditionally the crosses were woven every year and a new one was placed over the door of the house or the barn for good luck and protection. In some areas the old ones were not taken down and you could find several…
My One Word in 2024
If you’ve followed me for a while, you no doubt know I choose a word each year (based on where I believe God is directing me) instead of making a New Year’s resolution. For me, it’s much more meaningful. I got a text from cousin Susan asking what my word was (I didn’t yet know)….
It’s Here!
It’s a book birthday! Finding Juniper is now available in print and digital formats wherever books are sold. Libraries can order it for you. Bookstores can order it. It’s on Amazon and Barnes & Noble and Walmart and everywhere! This book is about a girl called Juniper, of course, but it’s also about her father…
Journeying into the New Year
As we approach the New Year, lots of people start thinking about goals and what they hope to accomplish in the next year. It’s good to experience a renewal, a time to make things right. For many years I’ve chosen a word for the year. I’ll post about that soon. I’m still a little unsure…
The Writing Life
This post originally appeared on my previous blog March 30, 2011. When I recently re-read it, I realized that my past self had something to say to my present self! I recently began watching a DVD titled A Celtic Pilgrimage with John O’Donohue. His message about the landscape and what it meant to him growing up is…
Listening
This post originally appeared in a previous blog site on Dec. 3, 2010. Later today I’ll be interviewing J. Philip Newell and that has prompted me to explore again his book Listening For The Heartbeat of God, A Celtic Spirituality. It’s not his latest book but it’s my favorite. The book begins with an introduction that is not…
The Gathering that Wounded Celtic Christianity
This post first appeared on my old blog Sept. 8, 2010. Whitby is a seaside community on the northeast coast of England. In ancient times this was in the kingdom of Northumbria and the king, Oswy, celebrated Easter the Celtic way. His wife, however, was of the Roman tradition. This caused them to fast, both…
