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This Page is Dedicated to Brigid, Goddess of the Sacred Flame of Kildare.
rigid goes by many names...she is Brigid, Bridget, Brighid, Brigindo. She is
a Celtic Goddess, sometimes connected to the Arthurian Legend. She is known and revered in Ireland, Wales, Spain and France. Her name means "Fiery Arrow".
Brigid is the daughter of Dagda--"The Good God". He is the God of death and rebirth; the Lord of perfect knowledge; The Arch-Druid.
Brigid is a Celtic three-fold Goddess. She is also known as "The Triple Brigids", "The Three Blessed Ladies of Britain" or "The Three Mothers". Her three aspects are:
(1) Fire of Inspiration, as patroness of poetry
(2) Fire of the Hearth, as patroness of healing and fertility
(3) Fire of the Forge, as patroness of smithcraft and martial arts
This threefold protection, that she provides is what weaves life together to make it worthwhile.
Brigid had an exclusive female priesthood at Kildare, and an ever-burning sacred fire.
The number of her priestesses were 19. They represented the 19 year cycle of the Celtic "Great Year".
Her Kelles were sacred prostitutes. Her soldiers were brigands.
She is the mother of the Craftsmen.
Brigid is sometimes associated with the Lady of the Lake, as she is the patroness
of smithcraft, and Excalibur, the sword of King Arthur, was forged by the Lady of the Lake.
Like the Arthurian Avalon, or "Isle of Apples", Brigid possessed an apple orchard
in the otherworld, where bees went to obtain magickal nectar.
Kildare, is derived from "Cill Dara", which means Church of the oak. Because of her
close association with apple and oak trees, Brigid is often considered to be the patroness of the Druids.(Remember, her father was the Arch-Druid!)
Some rites of passage, still used today, are attributed to Brigid, such as the ritual of baptism.
A blessing of fire and water was traditionally made to Brigid, who is the midwives protector.
A newborn would be passed ACROSS the fire three times. Then carried AROUND the fire, three times. Finally the child would recieve the midwife's baptism of water:
"A small wave for your form
A small wave for your voice
A small wave for your speech
A small wave for your means
A small wave for your generousity
A small wave for your appetite
A small wave for your wealth
A small wave for your life
A small wave for your health
Nine waves of grace upon you
Waves of the Giver of Health"
Brigid is also connected with Groundhog Day, as her snake would come out of its
mound, and its behavior would determine the length of winter. This coincides
with the Celtic Festival "Imbolc", which is Brigid's Festival. It is celebrated
around the beginning of February, when Brigid ushers in Spring. During the
time of the Festival, she personifies a bride, virgin or maiden. According to
Irish folklore, on the day of the eve of the Festival, the White Lady drank
from the ancient Well of Youth at dawn. This transformed her into a maiden...a
young goddess named Brigid. Wells were considered sacred, as they come from
oimbelc ("in the belly"), as if they were coming from the womb of Mother Earth,
herself, which brings us full cycle, back to her connection to birth and
fertility.
This is a statue of Brigid.
sources: "Celtic Magic" by D.J. Conway
Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom by Caitlin & John Matthews ~~ Kept in the Kitchen ~~
Email: keptinthekitchen@yahoo.com
