Brigid's Caoineadh (30 min.)
Session VI – Friday, 4:30 pm
The Grail
Brigid’s Caoineadh is a performance written by Ayla in Gaelic that includes intricately woven harmonies to convey the grief of loss and the dramatic shifts we face. This theatrical performance tells of our current task- honoring succession, with a song of the Fertility Goddess Brigid as the fungi Amanita muscaria. Starting with the ancient wisdom that reflects nature from our past, to grieving the losses of great change in the present, it ends in healing toward a hopeful future.
The story begins with Brigid her singing to the oak tree, this symbol of ancient wisdom called on to strengthen and build herself with symbiotically. Her sacred reflections of mycelium, other beings that are more of herself, are soon revealed to her, as well as with her ominous form, the Cailleach. She sings of the fire it takes to protect her fertility wielding her fire made sword, as she creates her sacred white egg, the beginning of the fruiting body. The story and song progresses into the wailing grief of her great loss. It is only through the emotion of grief that she can get to the other side: hope.
Written and Directed by Ayla Réalta
Featuring:
Alessandra Stellina
Anna Wilson
Chakaara Bliss and
Koko Urban