A concise and immensely readable introduction to the Goddess Brigid. A wonderful work that balances lore with living practice. ~ Hugh Eckert, Witches & Pagans

Synopsis: "Pagan Portals - Brigid: Meeting The Celtic Goddess Of Poetry, Forge, And Healing Well" by Morgan Daimler (a blogger, poet, teacher of esoteric subjects, witch, Druid, dedicant of Macha, and wandering priest/ess of Odin) is a basic introduction to the Celtic Goddess Brigid and focuses on her history and myth as well as her modern devotion and worship. "Pagan Portals - Brigid" is primarily focused on the Irish Goddess, but also includes a discussion of her Pan-Celtic appearances, particularly in Scotland. Brigid's different appearances in mythology are discussed along with the conflation of the pagan Goddess with Catholic saint. Modern methods for neopagans to connect to and honor this popular Goddess include offerings and meditation, and personal anecdotes from the author's experiences are included as well. "Pagan Portals - Bridget" addresses the questions: Who was Brigid to the pre-Christian pagans? Who is she today to neopagans? How do we re-weave the threads of the old pagan Goddess and the new? Readers will learn about Brigid's myths among the pagan Irish, the stories of Bride in Scotland, and the way that people today are finding and honoring this powerful and important deity to find the answer. Critique: Exceptionally well written, impressively informed and informative, consistently compelling from beginning to end, "Pagan Portals - Brigid: Meeting The Celtic Goddess Of Poetry, Forge, And Healing Well" is a significant and welcome addition to personal, community, and academic library collections. It should be noted that "Pagan Portals - Brigid" is also available in a Kindle edition ($3.03). Helen Dumont Reviewer ~ Helen's Bookshelf, Midwest Book review

Review of Pagan Portals Brigid By Segomâros Widugeni formerly Aedh Rua, author of Celtic Flame Morgan Daimler has written another accessible and scholarly book in the Moon Books Pagan Portals series, this time on the Goddess Brigid. As seemingly always, this book contains Daimler’s signature hallmarks – an ability to write from the real sources on her subject, to make that scholarship understandable to modern readers, and to make her subject relevant to the modern Pagan experience. The book starts with an introduction summarizing the complexities of Brigid and Her popularity as Goddess and Saint. The initial chapter delves into that complexity, and clarifies it, describing each of the roles of Brigid, or each of the Brigids, in terms any reader can understand. The second chapter describes the various other Goddesses from other cultures who either are forms of Brigid or else play very similar roles. This section is excellent for its ability to present obscure material the reader may never have encountered before. Saint Brigid is described, both in terms of how she resembles and differs from the Goddess Brigid, can contribute to our understanding and obscure it. This chapter is followed by one which describes the mythology of Brigid in detail, in terms of which stories occur in which texts and how. Here, what could have been an intimidating mass of material is instead made clear for the reader, who will come away with an exact and mature understanding of what we really know. The fourth chapter is a very good and practical summary of the traditional symbols, animals, and holidays of Brigid, with an emphasis on what is useful for real worship. Again, the virtue of Morgan’s writing is to render her material practical and accessible. In the fifth and sixth chapters we see that Brigid’s worship is still very much alive. Here we see modern myths still being written about Her by 20th Century Irish poets, technique of worship, the making of altars and shrines, guided meditations, and an entire chapter of poems, charms, and prayers, some Christian, some Pagan, some essentially both, in both the Irish Gaelic and English languages. This chapter is invaluable for the worshiper of Brigid, allowing them to know precisely how to worship Brigid in traditional ways. The book is rounded out with a conclusion that summarizes and caps off what has gone before. Finally, there are two appendices – a pronunciation guide and an excellent media guide – as well as the usual extensive bibliography. One of the features of Morgan’s Pagan Portals books is her section at the end of each chapter in which she describes how the chapter’s material impacts her life. This is an excellent feature that makes each chapter relevant to the reader, and allows them to see practical applications for even the most academic of topics. In sum, this book once again takes difficult material and makes it easy. It allows the reader with little previous exposure to Celtic Polytheism to begin worshiping Brigid in ways that are traditional, practical, and relevant. To devotees of Brigid, the book is a practical little gem, a summary of much they know, and probably quite a bit they don’t. To devotees of other deities, the book serves as an introduction to one of the most popular of Goddesses. In short, I can’t recommend it highly enough. ~

"This book is a confident piece of work that is both erudite and lucid – no easy task at any time, but when handling such a complex and sensitive subject it is extremely difficult. Not only does this book succeed, it seems to me to be a model to which other writers should aspire. Its clarity and the author’s obvious enthusiasm for the subject make it a compelling read. An excellent compendium of the subject worth its place on anyone’s shelf." ~ Graeme K. Talboys, author of The Way of the Druid

"Brigid: Meeting the Celtic Goddess of Poetry, Forge, and Healing Well is one of the best introductions to Brigid that I have read. The book is well researched and grounded in mythology and folklore, offering the reader a thorough overview of the goddess as well as dealing with popular misconceptions. I particularly appreciated the inclusion of the lesser known Irish Brigids, the author's own experiences and her suggestions for further exploration. Daimler's style of writing, with her blend of the scholarly and the personal, ensures that the book is accessible and of interest to beginners and more experienced pagans. I would highly recommend this book to those seeking to connect with Brigid." ~ Jane Brideson, Artist & Blogger at 'The Ever-Living Ones - Irish Goddesses & Gods in landscape, myth & custom'

"Brigid is a complex figure whose worship has transcended place, making her one of the few truly pan-Celtic deities; transcended traditions, as she is believed to have survived into the Christian period as the beloved St. Brigid; and transcended time, as she continues to inspire Pagans and Christians alike into the present day. It is no wonder that there is a complex body of lore that has woven itself around Brigid, and many books have been written to explore the different strands of tradition that surround her both as Goddess and as saint. In this work, Morgen Daimler deftly distills various streams of information into a short, well-researched book that presents the lore as it is found in primary source materials, discusses traditional folk practices from various Celtic lands, and shares her personal experiences as a devotee of Brigid. An excellent resource, Brigid: Meeting the Celtic Goddess of Poetry, Forge, and Healing Well, provides a grounded foundation for anyone who feels called to work with Brigid, and is an excellent, fact-based starting point for further research." ~ Jhenah Telyndru (MA, Celtic Studies) author of Avalon Within: A Sacred Journey of Myth, Mystery and Inner Wisdom

"Morgan Daimler has written another accessible and scholarly book in the Moon Books Pagan Portals series, this time on the Goddess Brigid. It allows the reader with little previous exposure to Celtic Polytheism to begin worshiping Brigid in ways that are traditional, practical, and relevant. To devotees of Brigid, the book is a practical little gem, a summary of much they know, and probably quite a bit they don’t. To devotees of other deities, the book serves as an introduction to one of the most popular of Goddesses. In short, I can’t recommend it highly enough." ~ Segomâros Widugeni formerly Aedh Rua, author of Celtic Flame

"In 'Pagan Portals: Brighid', Morgan Daimler brings us an exciting and superbly researched introduction to the pan-Celtic Goddess Brighid. Combining history and lore from all major Celtic mythologies with personal experiences and observations, the author brings us before the Goddess feeling as though we have already been introduced and welcomed into Her realm. The many names, stories, animals, plants, holidays and lore of the Goddess are all given to us enlivened by the author's encounters with Brighid. She rounds off the book with a brief look at the Goddess in today's world and gives us some prayers, chants, charms and rituals to consider for our own workings with this inspirational Goddess of Poetry, Healing and the Forge. You couldn't ask for a finer introduction to this most enchanting of Goddesses." ~ Gary and Ruth Colcombe, the Celtic Myth Podshow

"Morgan Daimler’s work on Brigid is fresh yet thoroughly rooted in the legends and lore. The readable style captures the complexity that is this once-and-future Goddess. Morgan gets Brigid—not as a shadow or an archetype but as a fully-fledged Being. Highly recommended." ~ H. Byron Ballard, author of Asfidity and Mad-Stones

"I always look forward to a new book from Morgan Daimler. Her research is solid, her writing is clear, and her concise work gets to the heart of the matter quickly. I couldn’t ask for a better introduction to Brigid as a Goddess. Even after my two decades of Brigidine flamekeeping, I learned new things from this brief book. Highly recommended!" ~ Erynn Rowan Laurie, author of Ogam: Weaving Word Wisdom

"Daimler has an instinctive and obvious understanding of Irish heritage which is rare for someone not born of this land. Combined with exceptional scholarship and sensible practice, this makes her work invaluable." ~ Lora O'Brien, author of A Practical Guide to Irish Spirituality: Sli Aon Dhraoi