Scan barcode
ches's review
5.0
When you’re reading this book you can really feel the love and devotion the author put into it. It is thoughtful, well-researched and detailed. There are some lovely prayers and practices in this book, and some very interesting historical and mythological insights too.
I read through other reviewer’s criticisms of the book - such as it’s from a very Wiccan perspective and contains personal bias. These things are true but personal bias is to be expected - it made the book very personal and easy to connect to.
As for the Wiccan perspective criticism - I’m not Wiccan and it didn’t bother me at all. I don’t understand the criticism as I think it’s only natural that our beliefs and bias impact our work, and at no point does the author say her way is the right way or the only way. It’s not at all preachy so I have no issue with it. It also gives a lot of information about Brigid as a saint and I feel some Christians who revere Brigid as a saint may also enjoy this book.
As a hard polytheist who believes in many entirely separate deities and does not believe all deities are really one or two deities, I could not help but note several references to “the goddess” and to Brigid being an aspect of the goddess. These are not my views, but I simply noted them as the author’s or contributor’s views and continued reading. At no point did I feel the the writer or contributors were attempting to convert me to duotheism or to anything else, I just felt I was getting their perspective.
There was one unfortunate reference about not worrying if you’re “crazy” if you hear voices in your head (I am paraphrasing as I cannot remember what page the quote was on). The use of the word crazy in reference to hearing voices made me grimace (especially as someone with mental illness who has had auditory hallucinations) but unfortunately this type of language is quite pervasive within society in general and I don’t believe offence was meant in any way, so I simply decided not to take offence!
Overall I throughly enjoyed this book and have marked pages containing my favourite prayers etc which I know I will return to time and time again. I read the book sort of like a devotional to Brigid whilst tending her flame and found the experience wonderful. Credit to author - a beautiful book overall that does Brigid justice.
TLDR: I recommend this book!
I read through other reviewer’s criticisms of the book - such as it’s from a very Wiccan perspective and contains personal bias. These things are true but personal bias is to be expected - it made the book very personal and easy to connect to.
As for the Wiccan perspective criticism - I’m not Wiccan and it didn’t bother me at all. I don’t understand the criticism as I think it’s only natural that our beliefs and bias impact our work, and at no point does the author say her way is the right way or the only way. It’s not at all preachy so I have no issue with it. It also gives a lot of information about Brigid as a saint and I feel some Christians who revere Brigid as a saint may also enjoy this book.
As a hard polytheist who believes in many entirely separate deities and does not believe all deities are really one or two deities, I could not help but note several references to “the goddess” and to Brigid being an aspect of the goddess. These are not my views, but I simply noted them as the author’s or contributor’s views and continued reading. At no point did I feel the the writer or contributors were attempting to convert me to duotheism or to anything else, I just felt I was getting their perspective.
There was one unfortunate reference about not worrying if you’re “crazy” if you hear voices in your head (I am paraphrasing as I cannot remember what page the quote was on). The use of the word crazy in reference to hearing voices made me grimace (especially as someone with mental illness who has had auditory hallucinations) but unfortunately this type of language is quite pervasive within society in general and I don’t believe offence was meant in any way, so I simply decided not to take offence!
Overall I throughly enjoyed this book and have marked pages containing my favourite prayers etc which I know I will return to time and time again. I read the book sort of like a devotional to Brigid whilst tending her flame and found the experience wonderful. Credit to author - a beautiful book overall that does Brigid justice.
TLDR: I recommend this book!
simazhi's review
4.0
Lots of great ideas. The best thing about it was the contributions highlighting yet more ways in which Brigid can be in one's life. Wish there were more men / male aspects as well. If Brigid is a goddess for all, this should be reflected in the book.
red_chesca's review
5.0
When you’re reading this book you can really feel the love and devotion the author put into it. It is thoughtful, well-researched and detailed. There are some lovely prayers and practices in this book, and some very interesting historical and mythological insights too.
I read through other reviewer’s criticisms of the book - such as it’s from a very Wiccan perspective and contains personal bias. These things are true but personal bias is to be expected - it made the book very personal and easy to connect to.
As for the Wiccan perspective criticism - I’m not Wiccan and it didn’t bother me at all. I don’t understand the criticism as I think it’s only natural that our beliefs and bias impact our work, and at no point does the author say her way is the right way or the only way. It’s not at all preachy so I have no issue with it. It also gives a lot of information about Brigid as a saint and I feel some Christians who revere Brigid as a saint may also enjoy this book.
As a hard polytheist who believes in many entirely separate deities and does not believe all deities are really one or two deities, I could not help but note several references to “the goddess” and to Brigid being an aspect of the goddess. These are not my views, but I simply noted them as the author’s or contributor’s views and continued reading. At no point did I feel the the writer or contributors were attempting to convert me to duotheism or to anything else, I just felt I was getting their perspective.
There was one unfortunate reference about not worrying if you’re “crazy” if you hear voices in your head (I am paraphrasing as I cannot remember what page the quote was on). The use of the word crazy in reference to hearing voices made me grimace (especially as someone with mental illness who has had auditory hallucinations) but unfortunately this type of language is quite pervasive within society in general and I don’t believe offence was meant in any way, so I simply decided not to take offence!
Overall I throughly enjoyed this book and have marked pages containing my favourite prayers etc which I know I will return to time and time again. I read the book sort of like a devotional to Brigid whilst tending her flame and found the experience wonderful. Credit to author - a beautiful book overall that does Brigid justice.
TLDR: I recommend this book!
I read through other reviewer’s criticisms of the book - such as it’s from a very Wiccan perspective and contains personal bias. These things are true but personal bias is to be expected - it made the book very personal and easy to connect to.
As for the Wiccan perspective criticism - I’m not Wiccan and it didn’t bother me at all. I don’t understand the criticism as I think it’s only natural that our beliefs and bias impact our work, and at no point does the author say her way is the right way or the only way. It’s not at all preachy so I have no issue with it. It also gives a lot of information about Brigid as a saint and I feel some Christians who revere Brigid as a saint may also enjoy this book.
As a hard polytheist who believes in many entirely separate deities and does not believe all deities are really one or two deities, I could not help but note several references to “the goddess” and to Brigid being an aspect of the goddess. These are not my views, but I simply noted them as the author’s or contributor’s views and continued reading. At no point did I feel the the writer or contributors were attempting to convert me to duotheism or to anything else, I just felt I was getting their perspective.
There was one unfortunate reference about not worrying if you’re “crazy” if you hear voices in your head (I am paraphrasing as I cannot remember what page the quote was on). The use of the word crazy in reference to hearing voices made me grimace (especially as someone with mental illness who has had auditory hallucinations) but unfortunately this type of language is quite pervasive within society in general and I don’t believe offence was meant in any way, so I simply decided not to take offence!
Overall I throughly enjoyed this book and have marked pages containing my favourite prayers etc which I know I will return to time and time again. I read the book sort of like a devotional to Brigid whilst tending her flame and found the experience wonderful. Credit to author - a beautiful book overall that does Brigid justice.
TLDR: I recommend this book!
aliencatl0rd's review
1.0
DNF @ 40%. I'm surprised by how popular this book is. It's almost entirely unverified personal gnosis about all sorts of things beyond just Brigid. Connections are drawn where they don't exist and are presented as hard facts and scholarship when it's entirely the opposite.
This book assaults the reader with spells and other workings, many of which are completely frivolous if not outright harmful. I really couldn't take much more after the author suggested lighting fireworks for Brigid--regardless of where anyone lives fireworks are dangerous to wildlife and pollute the environment. The author also suggested burning powders to make colored flames for Brigid just for fun, as if a goddess would like some toxic chemicals shipped around the world and burned in her honor for no reason.
I accept that practice is very personal, but much of this book didn't add any true value and simply encourages buying unnecessary things due to some made up connections. I'm not against buying things but the craft should be practical and purposeful. Otherwise it's insulting.
Go read Brigid by Courtney Weber (2015) instead. It's a far better book with limited and selective UPG. In some ways it feels like this author was trying to copy that work, but it truly can't compare.
This book assaults the reader with spells and other workings, many of which are completely frivolous if not outright harmful. I really couldn't take much more after the author suggested lighting fireworks for Brigid--regardless of where anyone lives fireworks are dangerous to wildlife and pollute the environment. The author also suggested burning powders to make colored flames for Brigid just for fun, as if a goddess would like some toxic chemicals shipped around the world and burned in her honor for no reason.
I accept that practice is very personal, but much of this book didn't add any true value and simply encourages buying unnecessary things due to some made up connections. I'm not against buying things but the craft should be practical and purposeful. Otherwise it's insulting.
Go read Brigid by Courtney Weber (2015) instead. It's a far better book with limited and selective UPG. In some ways it feels like this author was trying to copy that work, but it truly can't compare.
leeza_robertson_writes's review
4.0
This book is so good. I know I will be coming back to it again and again and again.
frost_witch's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
This is a lovely companion to Brigid worship.
thebrowse's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.75
The end of summer and impending start of fall has me feeling all kinds of ways. I've felt an inclination towards exploring subjects like witches, goddesses and more esoteric religions. I find subjects mythology, lore, and historical spiritual practices so fascinating and a glimpse into our history as humans. In an effort to read more non-fiction - in particular read more stories about women in myth and religion - I picked up Tending Brigid's Flame by Lunaea Weatherstone. Brigid is a Celtic Goddess known in particular for midwifery, fire, poetry and metalcraft. If you're familiar with Catholicism, Brigid was adopted by the Catholic church and became St. Brigid of Kildare. I find reading into mythology and lore especially interesting as a fantasy reader. So many authors pull from existing mythologies and histories and I can really lend a depth to the reading experience if you have some wider knowledge. This book contains a history of the lore and mythology around Brigid and her connection to the Catholic saint, as well as practices, rituals and meditations one could incorporate into their life should they wish it. I found this an interesting read for being out of my usual reading scope and it was perfect for getting me in the frame of mind for fall.