St. Brigid the Goddess of Fire
As a seeker of knowledge, my pathway has been a diverse one, that has led me through a plethora of ancient Earth centered beliefs to modern day religious, philosophical and spiritual beliefs. I find that every system of belief has inherent wisdom, and that there are very few that I cannot at least somewhat embrace. It is a process of weeding through the terminology, texts, dogma, superstition and bias to find the beautiful petals of knowledge underneath.
My own philosophies tend to be a hodgepodge of many different beliefs. But, I still have my roots planted firmly in the nature based Pagan concepts. I love the rite and ritual inherent in honoring the Earth and all of her species, and I certainly have no problem at all envisioning a Great Goddess who holds both masculine and feminine principles. The belief in Dianic Witchcraft is that the Goddess is sacred mother, and that the only male aspect inherent in our world is her son. Who came first; the God or the Goddess? That question most likely will never be resolved. Nor does it have to be. Whatever force gave a spark of life to all of this is pretty amazing in whatever form it may take.
I must admit to having a few favorite characters in this ongoing story of the spirit. One of them is St. Francis of Assisi and another is Brigid, the Celtic Goddess of Fire.
Brigid holds the distinct honor of being both a Pagan Goddess and a recognized Christian Saint. Her story is even more amazing in that no one actually knows if she even existed in the “real” world. But, belief in her was so widespread that early Christianity had no choice but to honor her, as the Pagans simply refused to stop worshipping her.
The festival that honors Brigid is called Imbolc, which is celebrated on February 1st. This is a solar festival which honors the sun, and of course light. It is also a festival of purification by fire. The word Imbolc translates to “in milk.” When our ancient ancestors peeked out of their caves and saw pregnant animals wandering by, they knew that Spring was just around the corner.
Brigid is a Goddess of Spring and Summer, and takes over as the Goddess of winter exits for another year. Brigid is also sometimes seen as the maiden aspect of the triple Goddess. According to Irish mythology, she is the daughter of the Dagda, the father God, and the ruler of the great Tuatha de Dannan, the resident fairy folk of Ireland.
Worship of Brigid eventually reached Scotland and the British Isles, so she is a true Celtic Goddess indeed. However, Brigid was eventually made a Saint by the Christian church. This aspect of Brigid founded a religious community at Kildare in Ireland. A fire in her honor was kept burning day and night until fairly recent times. Nineteen maidens were in attendance at all times to make sure the fire never went out. This reverence for fire was most likely residual from her Goddess aspect. As a Saint Brigid was seen as the midwife for the Virgin Mary, and she is also the patroness Saint of Ireland.
The eve of St Brigid’s day is still celebrated by some in Ireland and in some parts of Britain. Images of her are made out of straw and used as protectors of the household. Offerings of food and gifts are placed outside for her, as she is said to walk among the hillsides on that night. St. Brigid’s crosses are also made in the shape of a sun wheel to honor both the Goddess and the newly arrived Sun.
The celebration of Imbolc in Scotland is a bit different with Brigid replacing the blue-faced hag of the Highlands, who is the winter version of the Goddess. Her name is Cailleach Bheur. This festival of Brigid was at one time only open to the women of the Highlands.
Interestingly enough, worship of Brigid may go much further back than is commonly thought. The name “Bride Stones” is often associated with the stones which are found in some of the most ancient stone structures of the Celts.
Brigid is still one of the most honored and revered Goddesses among Pagan folk in Ireland, Britain and Scotland. Traditionally she is the Goddess of Smithing, creativity, healing, wisdom, fertility and childbirth.
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My own philosophies tend to be a hodgepodge of many different beliefs. But, I still have my roots planted firmly in the nature based Pagan concepts. I love the rite and ritual inherent in honoring the Earth and all of her species, and I certainly have no problem at all envisioning a Great Goddess who holds both masculine and feminine principles. The belief in Dianic Witchcraft is that the Goddess is sacred mother, and that the only male aspect inherent in our world is her son. Who came first; the God or the Goddess? That question most likely will never be resolved. Nor does it have to be. Whatever force gave a spark of life to all of this is pretty amazing in whatever form it may take.
I must admit to having a few favorite characters in this ongoing story of the spirit. One of them is St. Francis of Assisi and another is Brigid, the Celtic Goddess of Fire.
Brigid holds the distinct honor of being both a Pagan Goddess and a recognized Christian Saint. Her story is even more amazing in that no one actually knows if she even existed in the “real” world. But, belief in her was so widespread that early Christianity had no choice but to honor her, as the Pagans simply refused to stop worshipping her.
The festival that honors Brigid is called Imbolc, which is celebrated on February 1st. This is a solar festival which honors the sun, and of course light. It is also a festival of purification by fire. The word Imbolc translates to “in milk.” When our ancient ancestors peeked out of their caves and saw pregnant animals wandering by, they knew that Spring was just around the corner.
Brigid is a Goddess of Spring and Summer, and takes over as the Goddess of winter exits for another year. Brigid is also sometimes seen as the maiden aspect of the triple Goddess. According to Irish mythology, she is the daughter of the Dagda, the father God, and the ruler of the great Tuatha de Dannan, the resident fairy folk of Ireland.
Worship of Brigid eventually reached Scotland and the British Isles, so she is a true Celtic Goddess indeed. However, Brigid was eventually made a Saint by the Christian church. This aspect of Brigid founded a religious community at Kildare in Ireland. A fire in her honor was kept burning day and night until fairly recent times. Nineteen maidens were in attendance at all times to make sure the fire never went out. This reverence for fire was most likely residual from her Goddess aspect. As a Saint Brigid was seen as the midwife for the Virgin Mary, and she is also the patroness Saint of Ireland.
The eve of St Brigid’s day is still celebrated by some in Ireland and in some parts of Britain. Images of her are made out of straw and used as protectors of the household. Offerings of food and gifts are placed outside for her, as she is said to walk among the hillsides on that night. St. Brigid’s crosses are also made in the shape of a sun wheel to honor both the Goddess and the newly arrived Sun.
The celebration of Imbolc in Scotland is a bit different with Brigid replacing the blue-faced hag of the Highlands, who is the winter version of the Goddess. Her name is Cailleach Bheur. This festival of Brigid was at one time only open to the women of the Highlands.
Interestingly enough, worship of Brigid may go much further back than is commonly thought. The name “Bride Stones” is often associated with the stones which are found in some of the most ancient stone structures of the Celts.
Brigid is still one of the most honored and revered Goddesses among Pagan folk in Ireland, Britain and Scotland. Traditionally she is the Goddess of Smithing, creativity, healing, wisdom, fertility and childbirth.
Spirituality Site Light a Candle Page
.
You Should Also Read:
Lilith or Eve?
Brigid, Celtic Goddess of Inspiration
Chapter Four: Brigid in the Early Medieval Irish Church
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