I'm using Kaleo for my work with the cill. It's a Hawai'ian word that means "The voice." I chose it as an email name because I was thinking of the environmental activism that I do - I act as a voice for those who have no voice. When working with Brighid, I think of her poetry filled with inspiration and magic - and so I decided that Kaleo would be good with Her, as well.

I'm 47, mother of an 11-year old boy, live alone, and have a wonderful sweetheart. I am retired from the Air Force, where I served as a logistics and budget officer. Now I fill my time volunteering at my church and my son's school, and working conservation projects through the Sierra Club. I don't have much down time.

I belong to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Las Vegas. The UU Church is not only pagan friendly - it's crawling with active, out-of-the-broom-closet Pagans of all ilk and kin. Through separate affiliations, I was formally dedicated to the Goddess in a community ritual 3 years ago, and 2 years ago I was dedicated as a gydja, a priestess of the Northern Tradition.

I am a Reiki teacher and I have a massage certificate. I don't much garden. I love the outdoors, but I'm better with conserving the wild and natural places than I am at trying to get the things to grow in my backyard. I love the Mojave desert and I am SO GLAD that I don't have to scoop or scrape all winter long ever again!

Well, that's me. I look forward to hearing about each of you!

Bless, Jane

Our 11th Flame-keeper is Fionnuala

Our 12th Flame-keeper is Ivy Druid

Our 13th Shift Flame-keeper is Mare

I have the 13th shift in the Cill Abhaill. I'm BrighidSpirit (aka Mare) and have dedicated myself to Brighid. I'm 53, single and live in Northern Illinois.

For almost 19 years my companion has been Shenandoah (Shenna for short) a non-purebred blue pointe siamese feline goddess. I don't have any birth children. I've always taken care of children, however, as a teacher, counselor, and child welfare social worker.

I am now self-employed utilizing my skills as a writer in doing adoption studies for the court. Writing is one of the joys of my life, I also practice various other artistic forms such as drawing, painting, collages, and crafts.

In the last 11 years my path has taken me closer and closer to Brighid. I am of Irish heritage and was blessed to visit Brighid's homeland 3 years ago. My life has not been the same since.

I found Ord Brighideach online almost by accident and was intrigued and amazed to find that there were others, like myself, that were drawn to her. I eagerly await my turn every 20 days to keep her flame and to be part of the sisterhood.

Brighid has entered into me and I have become one with her. I feel her presence and her love every moment of the day. She is only a thought away...

"Be still and know that I am Brighid, living, loving, laughing and merging with you now." I repeat this mantra everytime I think of it... I say it on my walks... when I arise... before bed... when I am stressed out in anyway... or scared... or joyful...

It has truly been a gift to become part of this vast network of Brighid's flame keepers and to experience the miracles and magick that she bestows.

May Brighid's Light, love and laughter be with you as the moon rises and throughout the day.

Blessed Be!!!

Brighidspirit@aol.com

Our 14th Flame-keeper is Hilaire

I am Hilaire Wood. I first read about Brigit in 'The White Goddess' when I was at college in 1968 and her name stayed at the back of my mind. But it wasn't until many years later in 1992 when I joined the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids that I came across her again. I was drawn to her as a goddess of poetry, healing and smithcraft since poetry had been my first love and I had studies literature at university. In 1977 I started to study Homoeopathy (perhaps feeling the pull of the ancestors, for three generations of my family have been doctors and nurses) and I have been in practice since 1982 here in Aberyswyth, a small town in West Wales. Brigit's aspect as a woman of smithcraft always fascinated me and led me to taste the experience of blacksmithing for myself and to think about its more esoteric side.

At Imbolc 1996 I made a pledge to become a 'Woman of Brigit' and since then she has been the focus of my spiritual path. In learning as much as I can about her I have became drawn in to researching Celtic religion and folklore. I had polio when I was two which left my right leg paralysed. In the last few years walking has become more difficult and since a minor operation in the summer of 1999 I have been unable to walk at all, so the practical aspects of life have become more difficult and challenging. I now practice homoeopathy part-time, spend some time studying and writing and I have been visiting Ireland each year since 1997 to visit places connected with Brigit and other sacred places.

I have a son, Jaime, born in 1973, and I live in a small stone terraced cottage in a village, with a beautiful garden which slopes down to a small river, the Melindwr. I share my house with two cats, Ash and Willow.

In 1999 I became a member of Ord Brighideach. It is a wonderful thing to tend Her flame, to keep it ever-burning, and to do so in the company of others who also love and honour Her.

hilaire@brigitsforge.co.uk

Our 15th Flame-keeper is Shadow Dream

Our 16th Flame-keeper is Chelsea

Our 17th Flame-keeper is Rowangael

My name is Mitzy Carter Dew. I also go by Rowangael, the name I first used in the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) several years ago. I have been a writer and poet most of my life and have been published in several regional and local publications. I have been writing some rituals and other ceremonial pieces (for lack of better terminology). I will send some of the appropriate pieces along once I get settled.

I am currently packing up to move across the state to attend college at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, OR at the ripe age of 41. I am attempting to get my teaching certificate. I have 18 year old twin daughters who are also leaving to attend college in Ashland, OR. My husband of 21 years will also be moving with me to attend the same university as I. I have a 20 year old son in Job Corp learning to be a park ranger. All of this amazes me, since I could swear I am only 22 myself!

I was drawn to Brighid through some work I was doing with the Celtic Pantheon. I have been a practicing witch for over 10 years now. I draw on different pantheons and cultures a lot for my writing, using folklore, fairy tales and music from different countries and traditions to enrich (hopefully) whatever I write.

dew-it@clipper.net

Our 18th Flame-keeper is Serina

Our 19th Shift Flame-keeper is Pat

My name is Pat. I'm a single Englishwoman, aged 41, who lives in the big city (London). To relax I have been studying early medieval history, occasionally trying to dip a toe into the poetic stream and enjoying the gentle craft of embroidery and art of music (classical guitar). My experience of the gentle, loving and calming Brighid has been a blessing in my life and I look forward to further study and work for Her.

fealcen@nildram.com.uk

Our 20th Flame-keeper is Brighid

Our Lady, Goddess/Saint Brighid