I am one of the 19 Ashlandia temple flamekeepers of the sacred eternal flame of Brigid. The Ashlandia circle of flametenders follows the ancient model of 19 priestesses tending the sacred eternal flame of Brigid and on the 20th night Brigid tends the flame.
Through my prayers of intention I am now sharing the light of this sacred eternal flame of Brigid with you for your Solstice Celebration Ritual. The passing of the sacred eternal flame is over lighted by the protective energies of Mother Mary, Archangel Michael, Brigid and the other goddesses of the flame tending practice.
The ancient sacred ritual of tending a perpetual flame is practiced in many cultures around the world, especially in connection with the Goddesses of Fire. The legacy of the flame of Brigid of Kildare, Ireland had a practice of 19 flamekeepers who perpetually tended the sacred eternal flame.
The name Kildare which means “Church of the Oak” was the ancient site of an eternal flame that was consecrated to the Goddess Brigid at the time of the pre-Christian era.
During these ancient times Brigid’s flame was tended by 19 priestesses and, on the 20th night, the Goddess Brigid herself tended the flame. When Christianity found its way into Ireland Saint Brigid built her abbey at the ancient flametending site of Kildare.
The sacred practice of flametending continued for another 1500 hundred years by a lineage of 19 nuns. This model of flame tending was perpetually practiced in devotion to the goddess. At the time of the reformation the sacred eternal flame of the goddess was put out by church authorities who condemned it as a pagan practice.
During these years people throughout Ireland continued to carry the sacred eternal flame within their hearts, and quietly tended their fires at home in honor of Brigid. Then in 1993 two groups rekindled Brigid’s flame and its light has been kept burning ever since. The two groups that formed were pagan priestesses based in Canada, and Catholic nuns in Kildare, Ireland. Since its rekindling in Kildare the sacred eternal flame has now been given a place of honor in the Kildare town square.
This Sacred Eternal Flame of Kildare has now been joined with the Flame of Avalon which was created in 2004 at the Glastonbury Goddess Conference which was dedicated to Brigid. As well, the Flame of Avalon was also combined with the sacred eternal flame on the central altar with the Kildare Flame, the Hiroshima Peace Flame, the Madonna Ministry Flame, the Children’s Flame, and Bridie’s Flame from Lewis Island.
All of these combined sacred eternal flames were lit together in a bonfire and united to create the Flame of Ashlandia here in Ashland, Oregon. Since that time the sacred eternal flame that was re-kindled in 1993 by pagan priestesses in Canada has been united with the Flame of Ashlandia and all the known lineages of sacred eternal flames of Brigid have been united into one flame.
Since this union of all sacred eternal flames into one flame temple flamekeepers have perpetually maintained the sacred eternal flame of Ashlandia within their homes. As well this sacred eternal flame of Ashlandia is used to open sacred ceremonies and festivals in the Ashland community.
As the first of this lineage of Ashlandia flametenders it is my honor to care for the temple flame in my heart and home.
I am one of the 19 Ashlandia temple flamekeepers of the sacred eternal flame of Brigid. The Ashlandia circle of flametenders follows the ancient model of 19 priestesses tending the sacred eternal flame of Brigid and on the 20th night Brigid tends the flame.
Through my prayers of intention I am now sharing the light of this sacred eternal flame of Brigid with you for your Solstice Celebration Ritual. The passing of the sacred eternal flame is over lighted by the protective energies of Mother Mary, Archangel Michael and Brigid and the other goddesses of the flame tending practice.
Please gaze upon the image of the candle flame and commune with its sacred eternal light I am sharing. This candle flame is unique as it is has been united with all the known sacred eternal flames of other goddess circles in the world. Allow the union represented by this sacred eternal flame to penetrate your consciousness.
Solstice Celebration Ritual
December 21, 2013 @9:11am PT
What you will need:
A white candle.
You are in a quite place where you will not be disturbed.
After you have contemplated the image of the candle flame I’ve posted here for you and having allowed it to penetrate your consciousness with the union of the sacred eternal flame of Brigid light your own white candle.
Focus on the candle flame and allow it to join with the sacred eternal flame within your own heart that has been touched by the flame of Brigid. Allow yourself to be quiet and still as you absorb the union of light within your own heart.
You may wish to keep your candle flame burning through the time of crossing the threshold of the Solstice and for as long as feels right for you.
How do you feel after your Solstice Celebration Ritual with the eternal sacred flame? Please share your comments.
Wishing you a wonderful Solstice!
-KG
