2nd Annual TC Cill Cross/Brat Exchange!

Hello, Cill-Mates.

There seemed to be enough interest in reprising the Cross/Brat exchange we did last year for Imbolc, so I'm hereby declaring the 2nd Annual TC Cill Cross/Brat Exchange officially open! Cheesy

If you want to participate, please send me a PM BY MIDNIGHT (USA Eastern), DECEMBER 31, 2010, to let me know you want to participate and give me your address. Remember to include the name you want your package addressed to -- which is probably not your screen name. Wink

(I promise to keep all contact info confidential.)

I'll take the names of all interested members and do a random name draw. Then, by January 9, I'll let you know who your "Secret Cill-Mate" is. You choose either a Brighid's Cross, a Brighid's Brat, or both and make that for the person whose name you're assigned. Feel free to begin making your cross/brat right away, if you want to, so you're ready to send it to arrive by the deadline.

Be sure to ship it in time for your Secret Cill-Mate to receive by January 30. (If it's a brat, they'll probably want to put it out for Imbolc Eve to get Brighid's blessing.) In the package you send, you'll include a note that will reveal who you are.

Obviously, participation in this project is completely voluntary and will not effect your participation in the Cill at all. Also, it bears repeating that I will keep contact info completely private.

You may send a cross OR a brat OR both. You may use any materials you think are appropriate. (F'ex, the materials for crosses are not limited to rushes or straw.)

Crosses may be any of the various styles of Brighid's cross. (For more on the different styles of crosses, check this out: http://brigitssparklingflame.blogspot.com/2007/03/brigets-crosses-biddy-boys.html.)

Brats do not have to be actual cloaks or mantles. Cheesy

Some kind of representation is fine.

We are not setting a spending limit, but everyone should recognize that this is not about money. The cross/brat you create does not have to cost much -- or anything at all, if you have access to free materials! -- but should be made with love and respect for your Cill-mate.

Try to send it in time for it to arrive before January 30, so the recipient can put it out on Brighid's Eve for blessing (if you're sending a brat) or put it up in his/her house on Brighid's Day (if you're sending a cross).

I think that's everything. If you have questions, please let me know.

~ Aster