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Tuatha de Brighid - Brighid
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While the origins of Brighid remain shrouded in myth and lore, Brighid's persona remains constant as the exalted one, bringer of light, fire and wisdom, and guardian of the home. Brighid is the Celtic goddess of poetry (wisdom), the hearth and smith craft (fire), and healing. She was so beloved that with the coming of the Christian era her persona continued in St. Brighid, second only to St. Patrick as the patron saint of Ireland. An excellent introduction to Brighid may be found in Kindling the Celtic Spirit by Mara Freeman (HarperSanFrancisco, 2001). Chapter Two covers "The Festival of Brigit." Imbolc & Candlemas February 1 is Imbolc, considered the beginning of spring and Brighid’s sacred day. “Imbolc” means “in the belly (of the Mother)”. The day was also called Oimelc - an obsolete pagan term - which means “milk of ewes.” It is the time of lambing and a hearth festival for the household. New crosses of rushes are made (see Brighid's Cross, below); the crosses from the previous year are burned or used as bedding for the animals (considered good luck). Candlemas is February 2nd, and is the day when all the candles to be used in the Christian churches during the year are blessed (Candle Mass. This stems from February 2 being the Christian festival of the Feast of the Presentation - when the infant Jesus was presented at the temple 40 days (more or less) after his birth (celebrated on December 25) as required by Jewish law. Here Jesus was proclaimed "the light that has come into the world," and so the church came to bless all the candles on this day. This also corresponds with Imbolc as Brighid's (goddess of fire) sacred day. We also know February 2nd as Ground Hog Day, and this also dates back to Candlemas. If the ground hog emerges from hibernation and sees his shadow – i.e., it is bright and sunny – there are 6 more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow – if it is cloudy and overcast – winter is over. Compare that to this ancient rhyme: If Candlemas be fair and bright, winter will have
another flight. The first of February seems like winter, but it marks the beginning of spring. Houses were cleaned in preparation for the visitation of Brigid, thus foretelling our own tradition of spring cleaning. It was a day sacred to home and hearth. On the eve of this holiday, Brighid is invited into the house. Candles are blessed. Auguries are often taken at this time. It was the custom – and still is in some places – to place lighted candles in the windows to burn all night. The holiday is sacred also to the field as well as hearth. Farmers began to break ground in preparation for planting. One custom was to fold a loaf of bread into the first furrow with this prayer: Acre full fed Celebrating Candlemas
from the School of the Seasons The Goddess Brighid Today Brigit: The Survival of a
Goddess Essay from OBOD Saint Brighid The
Brigidine Sisters The Congregation of the Sisters of St Brigid She was known for her abundant generosity to all, and not afraid of a good time either. This prayer is attributed to her:
Brighid's Cross The usual pattern of Brighid's cross is with four, even arms. The more ancient pattern may have been to show the symbol with three arms, as in the triskele. (See the logo for Ord Brighideach.) According to About.com, "The Brighid's Cross is sometimes interpreted not as a cross but as a fire wheel, or as a symbol of Brighid's position as a goddess of crossroads." (See) Christian origins: St. Brighid was once called to the deathbed of a dying man. She set about gathering the rushes from the floor of the room and made a cross, now called the St. Brighid's cross. With this cross she explained how Jesus died for all people and the dying man was converted.
How to make a Brigid's Cross
Flamekeepers The flamekeeper tradition dates back to the original veneration of the goddess of fire. Tradition holds that women devoted to Brighid tended a flame in her honor at her temple in Cille Dara (Kildare). In the Christian era, this tradition continued for St. Brighid at her shrine at Kildare until the 18th century. In 1993, a Brigedian nun at Kildaire relit the flame and it has been kept burning since then. There are several online groups of flamekeepers who venerate Brighid in this way, by tending a candle at home. Ord Brighideach International This
group also has an extensive
encyclopedia of all things Brighid including poems and
rituals. Other Brighid Links Below are some of the many sites about Brighid on the web. We have attempted to list sites that offer good information, are well designed, and are not "me too" types of sites. As always, "we are not responsible for information found on other sites." Saints Preserved Brigid of
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