Brigid
Brigid (pronounced Breed) is the Celtic goddess of fire, a
solar deity. In Britain she is known as
Britannia. She was so beloved that when
Christianity came to the land, the people claimed she was the human daughter of
a Druid and had been baptized by none other than Saint Patrick. She was adopted into the church and later
became a saint in her own right. Her
name means “bright one.” Saint Brigid is the patron saint of Ireland and is
still worshipped to this day. The
ancient goddess and the Christian saint are firmly meshed into each other’s
myths and legends.
Brigid is the daughter of the Dagda (the god of fertility)
and the Morrigan. She was born at dawn,
with a flame crowning her head and connecting her to the universe. Her special day is February 1 or 2 and is
celebrated as Imbolc or Candlemas. Cows
and female sheep were especially sacred to her . Her colors are white, black,
and red. Her symbol is a
widdershins-directed solar cross. Also
sacred to her is the apple. It was said
in legends that she owned a magical apple orchard and the bees would travel
thousands of miles to feast on the nectar.
Originally, Brigid was a triple goddess, but not in the
typical maiden, mother, and crone aspects.
Her triplicity was found in her attributes. She ruled over inspiration, healing, and
metal work. She wore shoes made of brass
and hung her clothing on sunbeams. An
eternal flame in her honor was watched over by nineteen priestesses, and on the
twentieth day, she would tend it herself.
Brigid tends the forge and watches over the
blacksmiths. She is credited with
creating the magical art of metal smithing.
According to some folklore, it was Brigid who created Excalibur, King
Arthur’s sword. Brigid also guards the
home and hearth and watches over babies and animals.
Brigid was a fair goddess.
One story relates that two men, both with a dreaded skin disease,
approached her for healing. She told
them to bathe themselves in her well.
The first man did as he was bid and was cured. Brigid told him, “Now you must bathe your
friend.” The man replied that he could
not, for fear of being contaminated again.
Brigid said, “Then you are not truly healed,” and gave him back the
disease. She went on to say, “Return to
me when you learn compassion, for you will find your healing there.”
The Celtic societies attributed the changing of the seasons
to Brigid (known in those particular legends as Bride) and the Cailleach. In the winter, Bride was imprisoned in an icy
mountain. She managed to escape and
brought spring with her. Corn dollies
were often made in Brigid’s likeness and carried by young girls from home to
home as a blessing to the inhabitants.
Those who lived in the house would in turn provide a donation. Later, the girls would take the dolly home
and put her to bed while calling to Brigid that her bed was ready. There was hope that Brigid would enter the
home and bestow her blessings upon the family, thus assuring their
prosperity. This tradition is continued
to this day on Imbolc.
Brigid was well-known for her charity work. She watched over agriculture and
abundance. She was also a warrior
goddess. She carried a spear and was
ever willing to defend the home and hearth.
She encouraged women to stand up for themselves and fight for their rights.
The American tradition of Groundhog Day is a cousin of
Imbolc. Originally, in Ireland, it was
Brigid’s snake appearing from its mount that determined the weather prediction.
Brigid's Cross
This symbol of
Ireland and St Brigid, one of the Patron Saints of Ireland, is thought to have
been an early representation of the Pagan Sunwheel. It can be found in many
Pagan and Irish kitchens as it is thought to be a charm of protection against
fire and evil.
Brigid is one of
the Tuatha de Danann who were among the earliest Gods of Ireland. She is a
Goddess of poets and poetry, of blacksmiths, of healing, of holy wells and
sacred flames.
In the rest of
the British Isles she was known as Brigantia and she has been associated with
the Greek Athena and Roman Minerva
How to make your own Brigid’s cross:
Materials:
14 long, bendable reeds, or whatever material you choose
4 small rubber bands or lengths of twine (you can also use additional rushes to tie the ends, but this usually doesn’t hold as securely as you might like)
To make the cross:
Note: These instructions assume you are working with the traditional reeds. If you are using other materials, simply substitute that every place you see “reed” in the directions.
1. Take two reeds (or other material) and place them together in a cross pattern. Take another reed and fold it in half over the far right half of the horizontal reed (see Diagram 1). Keep the reed snug to the center of the cross.
2. Holding the junction tightly, turn the entire piece 90 degrees to the left. Fold another reed in the same fashion over the far right half the current horizontal reed (see Diagram 2). Keep holding it tightly and pushing each new addition on snugly. (Think: “Add to the right, turn to the left.”)
Diagram 2
Continue on this way until you have one reed left to use. Start folding this reed over in the manner described above but pull out the folded end of the bottom reed just below and thread the ends of this last reed though it. Then, gently push that prior reed back in place, securing your work. (See the video below for an illustration of this.)
At this point, you should have wrapped three reeds around each of the four directions. Since the reeds are folded in half, this gives you 6 ends, plus the original reed, for a total of 7. In this way, the cross represents the month of February, with four weeks (the 4 radials), each with 7 days (the seven reeds).
If the ends of your cross are uneven or longer than you would like, trim them to equal lengths. Secure each end by wrapping a rubber band around it or tying it with twine.
Put your cross at the entrance to your house or just inside the front door as a blessing and protection for your home.
Here’s a video that I’m sure explains the process better than I have:
Information from: ‘Elemental Witch’ by Tammy Sullivan
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