A Call of Welcome to Brigid
Brigid, Goddess and Saint
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| Brigid Statue and Well, (c) Abigail Jones, 2004 |
Brigid was Ireland’s most beloved goddess. As such she made the transition into the Christian era as St. Brigid, her legends and lore becoming attached to St. Brigid of Kildare, founder of the religious community Kildare - the Church of the Oak in the 5th century CE.
When studying the information about the Goddess Brigid it important to recall that although legends and stories undoubtedly abound, none were written down until the Christian era, and these were written by the educated class, usually monkish scribes in Christian monasteries.
Another thing to note is that the ideas and imagery of the goddess have been so thoroughly mixed with that of the saint that the two are impossible to untangle, particularly at this remove in time. Although St. Brigid of Kildare was an actual historical personage, it is evident that the legends of the Goddess Brigid were transferred to the saint and painted with a Christian veneer. Or as Sir James Frazier wrote in The Golden Bough, “St Bridget is an old heathen goddess of fertility, disguised in a threadbare pagan cloak.” (p. 177)
We find first mention of Brigid in Cormac’s Glossary, an Irish document written by one Cormac mac Cuillenain in the ninth century, although he undoubtedly drew upon earlier source material. From Cormac we learn that Brigid was the daughter of the great Irish god called the Dagda, and that she was “a woman of learning” whom the poets and seers worshiped, for her protection and care were known to be quite wonderful. Cormac tells us that she had two sisters, also named Brigid, one of whom was a woman of healing - a female physician - the other being a woman of smithcraft - a female smith. Since triple deities were common in Celtic cultures, it is thought that these three Brigids actually represent one goddess - the triple aspect Brigid of poetry, healing and smithcraft.
When studying the information about the Goddess Brigid it important to recall that although legends and stories undoubtedly abound, none were written down until the Christian era, and these were written by the educated class, usually monkish scribes in Christian monasteries.
Another thing to note is that the ideas and imagery of the goddess have been so thoroughly mixed with that of the saint that the two are impossible to untangle, particularly at this remove in time. Although St. Brigid of Kildare was an actual historical personage, it is evident that the legends of the Goddess Brigid were transferred to the saint and painted with a Christian veneer. Or as Sir James Frazier wrote in The Golden Bough, “St Bridget is an old heathen goddess of fertility, disguised in a threadbare pagan cloak.” (p. 177)
We find first mention of Brigid in Cormac’s Glossary, an Irish document written by one Cormac mac Cuillenain in the ninth century, although he undoubtedly drew upon earlier source material. From Cormac we learn that Brigid was the daughter of the great Irish god called the Dagda, and that she was “a woman of learning” whom the poets and seers worshiped, for her protection and care were known to be quite wonderful. Cormac tells us that she had two sisters, also named Brigid, one of whom was a woman of healing - a female physician - the other being a woman of smithcraft - a female smith. Since triple deities were common in Celtic cultures, it is thought that these three Brigids actually represent one goddess - the triple aspect Brigid of poetry, healing and smithcraft.
The Fair Maid of February
In the Gaelic lands, January 31/ February 1 was the Feast of Brigid – originally a feast of the goddess Brigid, but later in time, the feast of the St Brigid of Kildare.
The Feast of Brigid was seen as the beginning of season of spring, and was also known as Imbolc, which means “ewe’s milk — a reference to the fact that it was the time that lambs were born — and Oimelc, which means “in the belly,” referring to the new growth and life that was now emerging from the belly of the earth.
Divination practices were common at this time of year, as were purification rituals. The word “February” comes from the Latin, Februum, which means “purification,” and in the Rome Empire, purification rituals were held at this time. All this divining and purifying was to prepare for the new year ahead, as February was, till about 450 B.C., the last month of the year.
Divination practices were common at this time of year, as were purification rituals. The word “February” comes from the Latin, Februum, which means “purification,” and in the Rome Empire, purification rituals were held at this time. All this divining and purifying was to prepare for the new year ahead, as February was, till about 450 B.C., the last month of the year.
A Call of Welcome
Brigid of the East – Air!
Breath of life, you are Inspiration, beloved goddess-saint-muse of bards and poets! You are the first breath of Spring, and first breath of life. We celebrate the breath of new life at your festival, Imbolc, when the snowdrop tells us the life of the earth is returning. Brigid, you are welcome among us!
Brigid of the South – Fire!
Brigid of the South – Fire!
Flame of life, you are the warming and illuminating Hearthfire of life. You are the fiery energy of expansion and growth, the fire in our head, heart, hearth, sun, stars, and earth, the spark of divine life in all that lives. Brigid, you are welcome among us!
Brigid of the West – Water!
Brigid of the West – Water!
Water of Life, you are the Flow of life. You are the coursing current of rivers, streams, the upwelling springs, and the deep underground rivers of life the feed that wells of earth. You are the flow of thoughts, emotions, and of our very life’s blood. Brigid, you are welcome among us!
Brigid of the North – Earth!
Brigid of the North – Earth!
Substance and Structure of life, you are the web upon which we are woven, the structure that holds us together. Your mantle is the earth upon which we live. The daily tasks of life – the sublime reality of birth & death, the milk of cow and sheep, the grass and grain in the field – are your sacred province. Brigid, you are welcome among us!
Brigid of the Center
Brigid of the Center
You are Breath, Flame, Flow, and Substance, and all of them woven together, the very Fabric of Life! Refresh us as we move into the new cycle of life in this new year. Grant us inspiration; rekindle our inner flame, stir and strengthen our inner waters, and ground our efforts to bring positive change to the world. Dear Brigid, you are welcome among us!
(c) Margie McArthur, 2015
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| Brigid's Well, (c) Abigail Jones, 2004 |
A Blessing
Blessed Brigid, Flame of Delight in the many worlds,
May the fires of your Sacred Hearth be rekindled.
May they burn brightly, their flames bridging the many worlds,
Bringing the starpower of the Heavens down to enliven
The stars that live deep within the heart of Mother Earth.
Grant us the gift of your brightness and warmth:
The fire that is inspiration.
Let us draw sustenance from your Well of Deep Peace,
That nourishes all of Life.
Enfold us in your mantle of protection and healing.
Guide us as we heal, and in our creative endeavors.
Grant us the inspiration that enables
The creation of True Beauty and Harmony.
Blessed One, Fair One,
This do we ask of you,
As we offer you the Inextinguishable Light
Of our love and homage.
Blessed Brigid, Flame of Delight in the many worlds,
May the fires of your Sacred Hearth be rekindled.
May they burn brightly, their flames bridging the many worlds,
Bringing the starpower of the Heavens down to enliven
The stars that live deep within the heart of Mother Earth.
Grant us the gift of your brightness and warmth:
The fire that is inspiration.
Let us draw sustenance from your Well of Deep Peace,
That nourishes all of Life.
Enfold us in your mantle of protection and healing.
Guide us as we heal, and in our creative endeavors.
Grant us the inspiration that enables
The creation of True Beauty and Harmony.
Blessed One, Fair One,
This do we ask of you,
As we offer you the Inextinguishable Light
Of our love and homage.
(c) Margie McArthur
A Song
Lá Fhéile Bríde — The Festival Day of Bríd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEieym5uI7k
Labels: Brigid-Imbolc
posted by Margie McArthur at
4:28 PM
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