Lady Brigid, you guide us
through the darkness,
Your flame emitting a beacon of light
As you stand with us
While we hold a candle to our darkest fears.
You help us to see hope
Where there was only despair
And courage
Where there was only fear.
You help to make us strong by welding us,
For it is only after we have been
Tempered by the flames of experience
That we can be welded into who we really are;
Yet you make sure that the tempering
Does not become too much and break us,
Nor is too little and stunts our growth.
Your eternal flame burns brightest on this day
Of celebration of springtime
(Though modern calendars still claim it wintertme)
And of hope for the future in the midst of iciness
(Though modern life still claims it is better to abandon hope).
Guide us through the wintertime of our world
So that we may see the Sun of our existence strengthen again
And radiate hope and rebirth to all.
--Ashley Ravenwood, 1/30/96