all about the light

Today is all about the light -- even lamplight. This shade has a new woven mosaic cover coming its way. A piece with a strip of Rumi cloth woven in and mosaic pieces of lace and dyed silk organza that still need to be stitched down. And to fit the shade, it will need to be enlarged a bit. Or maybe not . . . now what would Brigid do? It is her day, after all.

The increase in light is noticeable -- and joyfully welcomed on Brigid's Day.

Brigid's Day is a time of purification before the change of season -- before Nature's cycles of fertility and new life resume. Between today and tomorrow, it coincides with several other seasonal celebrations -- Imbolc, Candlemas, and the whole groundhog business. I remember as a child being blessed at Candlemas (Catholic) with some candles fastened together in the shape of a "x" placed around my neck. I actually thought for years it was to stave off sore throats. Not too much of any of that stuck except a love of long, white taper candles. And ritual, of course.

Today I will bundle up to go outside to burn some old greenery and dried plant material as a little seasonal purification. And then come back inside to light a white taper as a symbol of my inner light.

And because Brigid is a fire goddess, nourishing Brigid's Soup will be simmered and stirred and tasted and stirred again. As spicy as I dare -- for her fire, you know. And with as many orange and red vegetables as I can find around here without making a trip to the grocery store -- red & orange peppers, carrots, a sweet potato, dried chiles, tomato sauce, and maybe even some frozen cherries . . . it will be hot and red and spicy.


This little light of mine. Will you join me?