BRAIDING THE FLAME OF BRIGID

Review of Celtic Music CD

by

Rev. Sean P. McCabe, O.T.

Braiding the Flame of Brigid by M. Rev. Minette Quick

This is an excellent Celtic music CD with all music composed, performed and produced by Minette Quick except for some exquisite additional harp accompaniment arranged and performed by Madeleine Doherty. In my opinion, it is very underestimated by a lady who is an undiscovered musical genius.

The CD begins with “Braiding the Flame…” and would be suitable as a processional melody. In “Don’t be Afraid of the Light”, I could almost see the Fairey Folk assembled around the altar in the Sacred Abbey in Clonegal waiting to partake in the Eucharist of the Elements. Quite playful; the little people of the Light like rainbow-drops playing and glistening on the harp strings. “Deep Peace” is from a traditional Celtic prayer and is summed up in: “The essence of inner peace is joy!” A state of mind we could all do with in the present economic turmoil so listen to it and cheer up! There is also a very good affirmation towards the end – “Let go, let go…” “Santa Brigida” is an instrumental and it really touched my heart and is suitable for many suitable occasions.

“Friend of the poor and the hungry,

Hear our prayer, teach us to care

For the needy ones who cry to thee…” M.Q.

Another instrumental, “The Blessing of Light” with the assistance of gentle flute playing allows one to reflect on one’s earthly pilgrimage amidst the old Irish blessing of friendship, hospitality and generosity. Track 6, “Divine Mantle”, was inspired by the Imbolc ceremony at Chrysalis, Co. Wicklow in 1998 where these traditional and stirring words formed part of the ritual. The harp in this piece summons up visions of sunlight shining through newly opened green leaves and sunlight glistening on rivers and brooks as mother earth awakens from her seasonal slumber and the Fairey Folk assist as page-boys of the Divine Mantle.

Now, halfway through the CD, we have “The Run of the White Cow”. This is very suitable for outdoor working under the night sky. It is inspired by a poem by Gabriel Rosenstock. Basically, “…as a child Brigid could only drink the milk of a white cow with red ears. The White Cow is also a Celtic metaphor for the Milky Way. Gazing at the night sky, we embrace the unity of Brigid, the Christian Saint with the Goddess of Creation.” The sounds generated in this piece of music lifts you into the starry bosom of the night sky! This is ideal for launching a pathworking. Indeed, the last two tracks remind me of some of my magical field trips.

“Woman of Peace” is ideal for meditation and unity in Peace Thought. The main message conveyed by Minette in “Healing God” is “…the eternal Truth that God’s Love awaits us at every turn” if we can just drink of that concept! In “Turn Back the Streams of War”, images of druids chanting and prancing on hill-top as the ancient Irish Clans gather ahead of a battle were summoned in my mind. It had a shamanistic effect on me and as the roots of my auric body entwined into a time vortex in the earth I could see Lugh Lamhfada with his magical spear in full flight against Balor. Excellent!

Track 12 “O Daughter of Dubbtach” is from the poem by Bernadette McMahon “Brigid of Cill Dara” which is from her book “On the Hill of the Goddess”. The CD concludes with a reprise of “Woman of Peace” which is an instrumental and very suitable for meditation.

Minette describes herself as “a composer and healer, whose music is an expression of her love of the earth and its Creator.” Minette is also a very talented artist and she is currently working on a magical book that will include some of her art.

For a copy of the CD contact Minette on hon.sec.circleofbrigid@gmail.com