Imbolc Meditation
Make yourself comfortable and relax. Breathe slowly and deeply. You are about to go on a sacred journey to Ireland. Close your eyes and let go of the there and now, you are traveling to a place in the Other World. Slowly, with your eyes still closed, become aware of what's around you.
You are walking through a pristine white, snowy wood just before dawn. The dark nights are beginning to lessen now, so near to Imbolc.
The stars are bright in the black sky and you are very cold and weary. You crunch through a snow crusted path, and notice the first buds of snowdrops and primrose pushing up through the snow along the way.
Ahead, beyond the dark pines, you see a light, and hoping for the sanctuary of warmth, you pick up speed and travel toward it. The trees open up to reveal a small abbey compound, surrounded by
magnificent oak trees, their leaves mysteriously green in the midst of winter.
Gratefully, you hurry toward the main building and pound on the oaken door. It opens, and you enter, enjoying the rush of warm air.
A figure in a dark gown with a long veil, greets you.
You notice other figures, women similarly dressed in simple dark gray homespun tunics, and long white veils. She beckons you forward and you comply. She leads you to a central round stone hearth, blazing with fire. You hold your frozen hands out to warm, and the warmth spreads throughout your body. She hands you a goblet, filled with warm milk and honey. You gulp it down, and the elixir both relaxes and yet vitalizes you, as your weariness vanishes. You thank her.
She tells you her name in a quiet voice. She moves over to the altar and picks up a small bronze strung harp. She plays the instrument delicately as she sings in the ancient Irish language, and the music sweetly fills the stone chamber of the abbey. Others join her and their voices form a harmony of indescribable delicacy. You stand and
listen, mesmerized, for what must be hours.
pause
You notice that there is a side door, open to the compound, and curious, and you decide to explore. You stand at the door and look outside. You see several other small stone buildings, a barn, several pens of well fed cattle, goats, and sheep.
In the center of the inner yard is a stone well. A woman in a hooded green mantle is turning the handle, pulling up a heavy pail of water. You go to her and offer to help. She turns to you and you are struck dumb by her beauty.
Her hair is as gold as the sunlight filtering through an autumn wood; her eyes as blue as a clear summer sky; her skin as white and translucent as fresh winter snow; and her mouth is the pale pink of a summer flower. She wears a sparkling white samite 69 gown with golden
glints under her cloak, with a wide golden belt, buckled in an intricately carved solar face. The light of the dawn seems to emanate from her, rather than the sky. She has an eternal, ageless look to her and a grace beyond beauty.
I am Brighid. She says to you in a voice like a chord of golden harp strings. and you are welcome to Cill Dara 70 She places the pail on the stone rim of the well.
You are astounded to be in the presence of the patron Saint of Ireland, who is in fact one of the ancient Goddesses of the Celtic people, and stammer a greeting. Then you ask bluntly, Why did my path lead me here to you?
To learn the healing way.She answers with a mysterious smile. You want to learn, do you not?
Yes, but there is so much to know, so many paths to travel, which one is mine? you ask.
There are many paths of healing, She tells you, Some heal with a touch, some with herbs, some with medicine, some by acknowledging a person's pain and helping them to face it, some by releasing their spirit from an ailing body and sending them into the next cycle. She smiles at you gently, Healing is an act of compassion, and of joy.
Those who love the path they are on will find they can develop skills and the ability to help others. Those who find it a burden, will not succeed. She takes both your hands between hers, and you kneel before Her. Listen to what she has to say to you.
pause
She whispers, and the wind picks up her voice and carries it through you. She releases your hands, and they are tingling with energy. You rise.
The Saint lifts the heavy pail from the rim of the well and turns to go inside one of the buildings, which is the infirmary. It is a while before you find you can move again.
You re-enter the abbey. Your guide had stopped playing her harp and is nowhere to be seen. You wanted to say goodbye to her before you left. You are reluctant to leave, but know you must move on, and you sadly turn toward the oak door that leads back to the world from this magical sanctuary.
As you stand at the door, ready to face the cold winter woods, one of the nuns comes toward you bearing something in her arms. It is your guide.
This will keep you warm. She says as she spreads a warm green woolen mantle about your shoulders. It is from Brighid.
Thank you! You hug her close for a moment. and thank Her for me. Will I see you again? Can I come here again?
you are always welcome here. She tells you, I am one of Her Naoi Déag 72 and I am sent to guide you as a healer. Call on me when you need me and I will come, and she kisses you on the cheek, smiles and turns back.
With the warmth of Brigit's mantle and the love you feel from the cloister of Druidic nuns, you are able to face the outside world again, and you leave the abbey, feeling renewed and confident
http://druidry.org/obod/festivals/imbolc/imbolc_susa/meditation.html
