Our Story

As the season of Imbolc draws closer, Kate Chadbourne offers us two tales of Brigit, Ireland's patron goddess and saint. The first describes Brigit as the Blessed Virgin Mary's best friend and the first celebration of Saint Brigit's Day. The second is a story of resourcefulness and kindness: when Brigit saves a fox and outfoxes a king.

Our Guest

Kate Chadbourne is a singer, harper, and storyteller, an award-winning songwriter and poet, and a scholar of Irish language and folklore with a PhD from Harvard. She's a beloved performer at venues throughout New England and founder of The Bardic Academy, a school for writers, musicians, singers, and young scholars. Kate recently released her novel The Poet on the Train.

Learn more about Kate as a performer, teacher, editor, and guide at The Bardic Academy and her vibrant YouTube channel.

In This Episode:

1. Fite fuaite—an Irish phrase that speaks to the weaving together of ideas
2. The meanings of Brigit's names: "Flaming arrow" and "life force, vitality"
3. Prayer as co-conspiring with the universe: Brigit doesn't ask God to take care of everything, she asks for the eyes to see the solution and does her part
4. "Conspiring" means "to be inspirited together"
5. The power of the Celtic Wheel of the Year, which reminds us of our most treasured values and our connection to nature
6. Imbolc: the feast of Ewe Lactation—a great excuse to have the finest butter, cheese, and ice cream!