Book Review

The Torch of Brighid: Flametending for Transformation

by Erin Aurelia

Publisher: Moon Books

144 Pages

Publication: June 1, 2023

 

 

The Torch of Brighid: Flametending for Transformation by Erin Aurelia is a consummate work of wisdom for those who are devotees of the Celtic Goddess, Brighid. But, what makes this title especially appealing is the guidance offered to all, whether familiar or working with Brighid’s gifts. This organic approach is one that can only be exemplified by someone deeply connected to Brighid and we find this skill in the author, Erin Aurelia, founder of the Daughters of Brighid Flametending Order.

The Torch of Brighid: Flametending for Transformation is crafted into Seven chapters and opens and ends with inspirational poems to the Lady –What She Speaks When I Tend Her Flame and Forge. Additionally, authentic prayers to Brighid and workings taken from Irish lore support the creativity and power inherent in any offering to Brighid.

The Preface suitably prepares the reader for the intention of the book and clearly outlines what the book is and what it is not. I especially appreciated this writing given the enormity and diversity of books regarding the complex nature of the Goddess, Brighid and manner of approach in honing in on any of her gifts.

…This book is not…
• reconstructing a past pagan practice, as there is no known pre-Christian flametending practice to Brighid which can be reconstructed
• speculating that the unorthodox mystic connections made herein are supported by the lore, or should be
• claiming any historicity for the practice it outlines
• suggesting that the practice outlined herein is any singular or proper way to flametend above any other
• stating that the ogham was or is in any way mythically connected to Brighid, or should be… ¹

The chapters guide the reader through a journey of awakening to the Goddess Brighid at a level of entry through the gift of her fires and the opportunity for change, power and a return to the Divine nature of self in the light of this gift. The Introduction highlights the author’s journey to Brighid, flametending and the creation of her Order.

… she showed me a synchronicity that became the template for a whole new way to practice flametending: the way that the twenty days of the flametending cycle match with the twenty letters of the traditional Irish tree ogham alphabet, in which each alphabet letter is denoted by a tree and infused with esoteric meaning…²

Use of the Oghams as a tool of the journey provides the reader with another layer of connection as well as instruction in another system used.

… After some time in this iteration of my practice, I began to view the ogham, commonly used today as a form of divination, as not only a collection of trees and their esoterica, but like the major arcana of the tarot, a depiction of a spiritual journey of transformation…³

Chapter 1: The History of Tending Brighid’s Perpetual Fire explores the history of Brighid as Goddess and the creation of the flametending practices and serves as a perfect introduction to what follows in establishing your own journey.

Chapter 3: Preparation for the Flametending Journey offers the reader the starting point of this journey using ritual, meditation and creation of personal tools of devotion to Brighid. The chapter concludes with an energetic exercise The Mantle of Brighid, opening the three cauldrons of Brighid within and moving the energy from one to the other and opening to the healing and renewal of Brighid.

Chapter 5: The Forest Path of the Flametending Journey takes the reader through the journey of the Tree Oghams and their application to the 20 Vigils of flametending. Having a background using the Oghams for my magick, this chapter was particularly intriguing. And, the way in which the information is formatted makes it understandable and accessible for those who have no experience with this ancient system that has been traditionally used as a tool of
divination.

The remaining chapters pull everything together in application of the flametending journey throughout the seasonal celebrations and special focus on Brighid’s day of Imbolc.

The Epilogue: Transformation is Perennial is a call to the reader to embrace the change inherent in walking this path of flametending. The reminder is that regardless of the level of devotion…

… Fire inherently transforms when it changes something through burning it, and like the phoenix, our eternal souls can repeatedly rise from the ashes of our illusions and obstructions that we choose to burn down in order to remove them from our path. In this way, we confidently forge our way forward and shape ourselves and lives with decisive action, then fortify ourselves so we are strong containers for receiving wisdom… ?

For those who wish to delve more deeply into the path of flametending the Appendix offers a listing of Flametending Orders and a concluding section of References for further study.

Would I Recommend:

The Torch of Brighid: Flametending for Transformation by Erin Aurelia is a refreshing take on the many gifts of the Goddess, Brighid. Ms. Aurelia presents the reader with multiple layers of entry point into the mysteries of Brighid as transformative fire and brings a melding of ancient lore and devotion and a modern approach in tending Brighid’s sacred flames.

… and all those who also burn with
love and truth and mirth and grief
may join me here –
on this island of coals

    floating

    on a cosmic sea… ?

Notes:
1. Pg. xiii
2. Pg. 2
3. Pg. 2
4. Pg. 121
5. Pg. 124

 

About the Author:

Erin Aurelia is an author, poet, spoken word performer, and book editor who has tended Irish goddess Brighid’s flame for twenty years. Her work has been featured in the Paganism 101 anthology by Moon Books and in two anthologies by Goddess Ink: Brighid, Sun of Womanhood and Stepping Into Ourselves, An Anthology of Priestesses. She lives in Vancouver, Washington.

 

The Torch of Brighid on Amazon

 

 

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About the Author:

Robin Fennelly

Robin Fennelly is an Elder within The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition and serves as High Priestess of Coven of the Mystic Path, the 12th Coven within the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition. She teaches and facilitates classes for the Pagan Experience Study Group that serves as foundation for membership within Coven of the Mystic Path.

Her spiritual journey is strongly rooted in both Eastern philosophy and the Western Magickal systems from which she has formed a core foundation that is diverse in knowledge and rich in spiritual practice.  A life-long learner, her practice has evolved from the classical and philosophical teachings of books, practical experience and enrichment of this knowledge base by attending workshops of various spiritual traditions presented by master teachers.

Robin formally came to the Wiccan path in 1994. Following a practice as a solitary for 2 years, she dedicated to Oak and Willow Coven of The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition in November of 1996. She received her 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th (Elder) degrees within the Assembly Tradition and has served as High Priestess of two ASW covens since Samhain of 2001 and the Winter Solstice of 2015.

As a teacher of esoteric and magickal studies she uses Energetic Anatomy, Tarot, Astrology, Hermetic Qabala, Eastern Philosophy, and Numerology as the foundations of her diverse selection of workshops and writings for more than 25 years. Exploration of varied energetic protocol has been the focus of her work for some time now and the information gained through direct experience informs all of her magickal and spiritual work.

Robin’s writings have been featured online, and in print Internationally.  She has authored several books incorporating her unique style of writing making use of poetry, prose and pathworking to enhance the concepts presented.  She has taught extensively throughout the Pagan community, including Sacred Space Conference, Spring Magick, Between the Worlds Interfaith Conference and Free Spirit Gathering Festival. Her most recent projects include a channel on youtube: A Journey to the Inner Chamber. She also shares audio pathworkings and ritual on her bandcamp site: Teachings on the Path with Robin.

Robin is the owner of Holistic Embrace providing services for mind, body and spirit such as Tarot readings, Astrology reports, Spiritual Guidance and other related offerings.  She lives in Eastern Pennsylvania and her life is blessed by a 40+- year marriage, five children and the opportunity to work in the field of public education.

Robin’s Website: www.robinfennelly.com
Coven of the Mystic Path, ASW: www.covenofthemysticpath.org

Her books can be found on Amazon or purchased directly through her website:
For more info: http://www.robinfennelly.com/books.html

The Inner Chamber, Vol. 1 It’s Written in the Stars-Astrology
The Inner Chamber, Vol. 2 Poetry of the Spheres-Qabalah
The Inner Chamber, Vol. 3 Awakening the Paths-Qabalah
The Light of SELF: Consciousness, Spiritual Practice and Learning to
Breathe
Magickal Verse: A Collection of Poetry and Prose
A Year of Gaia: The Eternal Cord
The Elemental Year: Aligning the Elements of SELF
Temple of the Sun and Moon: Luminous Devotions
Sleeping with the Goddess: Nights of Devotion
A Weekly Reflection: Musings for the Year
The Magickal Pen: A Collection of Esoteric Writings
The Enchanted Gate: Musings on the Magick of the Natural World
The Temple of the Sun: An Astrological Solar Year
Writings in the Shadow: An Exploration of the Shadow Nature