Brigid
Pantheon: Celtic (Irish)
Brigid is also known as the Flame of Ireland, the Fiery Arrow and the Great Goddess, to name a few.
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Brigid is a multi-faceted Goddess and has a rich history. She was & is the most honoured Pagan deity in Ireland; not surprisingly, her bright influence spread to the rest of the British Isles and beyond.
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She is considered a triple goddess having two other “sisters”, also named Brigid. One is the Goddess of poetry, creativity and inspiration, the other in healing and midwifery, and the last overseeing blacksmiths and other crafts. Brigid was a Goddess of various day-to-day activities for the Celtic people; as a result, she was in the hearts of many. Brigid is the Goddess of fire and hearth, fertility, agriculture, domestic animals, new beginnings, Spring and childbirth. As well as prophecy, divination, wisdom and battle. She is a protector of women, motherhood (including animal mothers), children and the Home.
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Brigid is most celebrated during the Pagan fire festival Imbolc. Imbolc represents the change of seasons, the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, heralding the return of light after the darkness of Winter. Brigid also represents the water element and has several healing sacred wells dedicated to her throughout Ireland. As you can see, the Great Goddess Brigid is many!
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Brigid is a member of the Tuatha De Danann, a magical race of beings with supernatural powers who are worshipped as divine beings; however, they are not immortal. It is said that Brigid’s mother is the ancient river Goddess, Danu, Mother of All.
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The Goddess Brigid had a son, Ruadan, who fought in an epic battle (second battle of Moytura) on the opposing side of Brigid’s family. Unfortunately, Ruadan fell in the battle. Overcome with grief, Brigid rushed onto the field and mourned her fallen son by shrieking, wailing and singing. Thus the Irish custom of Keening was born, a lament for the dead. Making Brigid a Goddess of life and death and a protector of cemeteries.
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The Celtic Goddess Brigid and the later Catholic Saint Brigid share many similarities are thought to be one of the same. And they are. As Christianity spread throughout Europe, Saint Brigid was used as a replacement to mollify the Celtic people. This transition from Pagan Goddess to Saint allowed Brigid to “survive” the Christianizing world. However, due to the resurgence of Paganism, Brigid has now dropped her saintly robes and is brightly shining like the true Pagan Goddess she is.
Correspondences:
Symbols: Brigid’s Cross (aka Pagan Sun Wheel, symbolizing fertility and abundance), corn dolls or Brigid dolls, The Flame - all fire is associated with Brigid, bells, arrows, wells, water, iron and the moon.
Animals: Sheep (Brigid had a powerful ram called Cirb, “The King of Sheep”), lamb & ewes, cows (Brigid owed a set of oxen, they were known for their “radiant beauty” much like their owner), boars (Brigid also owned a mighty boar named Torc Triath), serpents, bees, owls and all hibernating animals (bear, badger etc.).
Offerings: Milk, grain, hops, beer and ale, dill, blackberries, spring flowers, Brigid’s cross and Brigid dolls. For the Brigid doll: Make the doll. Leave on “hearth” or altar overnight during Imbolc. Hang the doll in your house for protection. For the following year, during Imbolc, burn the old doll as an offering and create another for the next year to come.
Plants & Incense: Dandelion, crocus, trillium, oak/acorns, corn, hops, oats, heather, chamomile, clover, rowan, wisteria, lavender, lemon verbena, heliotrope, all early spring flowers, willow, hazel and blackberry.
Crystals: Gold, brass, silver, copper, carnelian, jasper, fire agate, sunstone and amethyst.
Colours: White, yellow, red, orange and black.
Times & Dates: February 1st (Imbolc), sunrise and Fridays.
Numbers: 19 (represents the 19 priestesses that tend the eternal burning flame in Kildare).