REVIEWS
Please find below some reviews about my book
'Brighid Unravelled'
With gratitude!
Here, one of the blessed fruits from the 2024 Goddess Conference, a lovely book by Marion Brigantia.
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Marion takes nine Christian stories about Saint Bridget of Kildare, and explores the Goddess mystery behind each story. Unravelling and then re-weaving teachings - a devotional study or clear-thinking, that shines glory upon both Goddess and Saint.
The nine stories explored are....
Brigid's Birth
Brigid's Eye
Brigid's Ordination
Brigid's Healing
Brigid's Green Cloak
Brigid's Mantle on the Sunbeam
Brigid Weaving Her Cross
Brigid and the Silver Brooch
Brigid's Lake of Beer
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There are many profound insights in this book, and it is a must-have for anyone interested in the Goddess of Healing and Poetic Inspiration. Fire of Inspiration, Water of Life and Health, both combine for the alchemy of the forge.
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I also observe that whilst Saint Brigid had 19 sisters at Kildare, she was ordained with eight sisters - making her the head of 'nine', just like the Lady Morgen of Avalon - Arthurian Goddess of Healing.
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Yuri Leith, artist and author of The Pagan Temple of Glastonbury Tor, Gwyn, The Chronicles of Ogus etc.
In this inspirational book, Marion Brigantia sifts through a number of mediaeval tales of the Irish Saint Brighid in search of a more ancient wisdom from pre-Christian times.
Through an impressive amount of research and analysis, she often succeeds in revealing the timeless significance of the goddess Brigid that shines through the outdated and moralistic motifs of the saint.
Above all, the unique value of this book lies in the creative ways in which she has reworked these old tales for a modern audience, transforming them into parables of wisdom and healing for a new generation of devotees of this well-loved goddess.
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These uplifting wisdom stories, embedded in tradition, yet freshly-minted for a modern age, combine to make a wonderful handbook both for those who may be familiar with this tradition and those who are drawn to the sparkling fires of this well-loved goddess for the first time.
It’s easy to imagine these empowering teaching stories being shared around a campfire, in women’s circles, in pagan families or in home-school settings. All in all, Brighid Unravelled is an excellent contribution to goddess studies and bound to be a perennial favourite of all those who gather at Brigid’s hearth-fire.
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Mara Freeman, Author of Kindling the Celtic Spirit, Grail Alchemy, Sacred Rose etc.
Brighid unravelled is a powerful contribution to the tradition of retelling and reimagining her-stories. The depth and profundity of Marion's knowledge, understanding and insight into Brighid is compelling.
As a Priestess to Brighid no-one is better suited to write this important book. I particularly enjoyed the way in which Marion weaves her own direct experience, and that of others, to retell nine intriguing stories.
It is an innovative co-creation born from the fascinating array of myths, legends and miracle stories of Saint/Goddess Brighid. Marion brings her alive within the context of the 21st century drawing upon historical records, mediaeval texts and biographies, as well as oral tales and traditions. She is adept in forming a new synthesis and understanding of Brighid for modern times, one that I found healing and illuminating.
I highly recommend this book for both readers who are already well-versed in Brighid as well as anyone new to learning about this significant woman in Celtic lore and history.
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Dr Lynne Sedgmore CBE, Author of Goddess Luminary Leadership Wheel, and Presence Activism, Priestess Healer, Priestess of Avalon, Poetess and Coach.
Anyone who knows the tapestry of Brighid the saint and Brigid the goddess knows how intimately wound the stories, songs, and folk practices of the two are. My first thought on seeing the title of this book was therefore “how on earth?”. This is not, however, a dry examination of the source material in order to separate the two, but a devotional work of winding and unwinding as you might a sacred Celtic knot.
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I have long been familiar with the source texts and had recently been revisiting the same manuscripts which Marion approaches here. Tales in which tongues of fire rise from the head of the saint, and a cloak miraculously spreads to cover all of the ground needed to build Brighid’s church.
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Each section is clearly laid out and I found myself nodding along with Marion’s insights, occasionally uttering an excited “ah yes!” when she interpreted something in a way I had not considered before. The retellings are important too, not just in making sense of the myths but in carrying on the tradition of devotion to a holy woman that has endured for centuries. And despite the unravelling, there is still much mystery left to be found…
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Nic Phillips, author of Celtic Saints of Western Britain
UK ONLY
