BRIDGET BRIGHT
by Hedgewytch
She is known as Brigid Bright,
Goddess who shines against the night.
At Cille Dara, at the setting sun,
Her sacred flame is kept by one.
Nineteen times the earth turns round,
As sacred springs come forth the ground.
Twenty times the sun has burned,
And now the Goddess has returned.
Alone she tends her thrice-bright flame,
Born of her heart that bears her name.
The Dagda knows Brigid as Daughter,
Triple Blessed by fire and water.
Poets call her name to inspire.
And healers oft gain from her fire.
Wayland too would know her well
As hammer and anvil ring like a bell.
A sorrowful cry did she give meaning,
When first she brought to Eire keening.
Oh Sacred Fire against darkest night,
Burn for Brigid, for Brigid Bright!
Fire in the head...to quicken us.
Fire in the cauldron...to heal us.
Fire in the forge of the heart...to temper us.
Brigid
Brigid, the luminous goddess of the Celts, is one of the most beloved figures in Irish mythology, a being of profound grace, wisdom, and power. She is often described as a triple goddess, representing three interconnected aspects of life: inspiration, healing, and transformation. Her story carries the essence of light and life, embodying the sacred rhythms of the earth and the eternal cycles of renewal.
The Divine Birth of Brigid
In the myths, Brigid is the daughter of the Dagda, the "Good God," a fatherly figure among the Tuatha Dé Danann, the mythical race of Irish deities. It is said that she was born at the moment of daybreak, her birth heralded by a flame reaching from her head to the heavens. This radiant light signified her divine nature, connecting her to both the earthly and the celestial realms.
From her earliest moments, Brigid was associated with both fire and water. The fire represents her illuminating qualities—her creativity, inspiration, and the transformative power of the hearth and forge. Water, in contrast, symbolises her role as a healer and life-giver, connected to the sacred wells and rivers that nourish the earth.
Keeper of the Sacred Flame
Brigid’s flame is central to her myth. In pre-Christian Ireland, it was said to be tended by nineteen priestesses in her sacred sanctuary at Kildare, where they ensured it never went out. Each of the nineteen women would care for the flame in turn, and on the twentieth day, it was said that Brigid herself tended the fire, its warmth and light embodying her eternal presence.
This flame symbolises transformation, passion, and the spark of life itself. It also ties her to the forge, where she is seen as the patroness of smithcraft. The tools forged in her fire are imbued with her strength, just as the inner fires she kindles within us inspire our creative work and spiritual growth.
Brigid’s Role as Healer
Brigid is also revered as a goddess of healing. She is said to possess great knowledge of herbs, healing waters, and the mysteries of the body and spirit. Many sacred wells across Ireland are dedicated to her, their waters believed to hold curative powers. Pilgrims would travel to these wells, offering prayers and tokens in exchange for her blessings of health and renewal.
One tale tells of Brigid’s tears falling to the earth, creating a healing spring wherever they landed. This story reminds us of the transformative power of grief and compassion—how even in moments of sorrow, something beautiful and life-giving can emerge.
Brigid as the Poet and Muse
As the goddess of poetry and wisdom, Brigid inspires the soul’s deepest expressions. In Celtic tradition, poets (or filí) were considered seers and visionaries, their words carrying the power to shape reality. Brigid’s gift of eloquence reminds us of the importance of storytelling and song as sacred acts that connect us to one another and the divine.
Brigid’s Transformation into Saint Brigid
When Christianity spread to Ireland, the goddess Brigid was woven into the new faith as Saint Brigid of Kildare, blending her ancient attributes with the values of the Christian tradition. Saint Brigid’s monastery in Kildare became a centre of learning, healing, and devotion, and her sacred flame continued to burn, tended by nuns who carried on her legacy.
Today, Brigid exists as both goddess and saint, embodying the enduring connection between the old and new, the spiritual and the earthly. Her presence is timeless, a beacon of hope and inspiration across the ages.
Making a St. Brigid’s Cross
Doing this with sticks and wool is a beautiful, creative way to honour Brigid using natural and accessible materials. Here's how you can create one in a spiritual and meaningful way:
Materials You’ll Need
Four sticks or twigs: (have a look at the below image for a general idea of what the cross will look like) Choose sticks of roughly equal length (about 6–10 inches each). These can be gathered during a mindful walk in nature, connecting with the earth.
Wool or yarn: Any colour will work, but white (purity), red (fire), or green (growth) are traditional colours associated with Brigid.
Scissors: For cutting the wool.
Optional decorations: Beads, ribbons, or dried flowers to adorn your cross.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Bless Your Materials
Before you begin, take a moment to bless the sticks and wool. Hold them in your hands and say:"Brigid, I dedicate this craft to you. May these simple materials, gifts of earth, carry my prayers and intentions. Bless this space and guide my hands as I weave your sacred cross."
2. Prepare the Base of the Cross
Take one stick and hold it horizontally. This will be the main horizontal arm of the cross.
Take another stick and hold it vertically, crossing it in the centre of the horizontal stick to form a plus shape (+).
3. Secure the Centre with Wool
Take a long piece of wool and tie it securely around the centre where the two sticks meet.
Begin wrapping the wool diagonally around the crossing point. Wrap it snugly and neatly, creating an "X" shape. This will hold the two sticks firmly together.
Wrap as many times as needed until the sticks feel secure, then tie a small knot on the back to secure the wool.
4. Add the Diagonal Arms
Take the third stick and lay it diagonally across the cross, so it forms an “X” with the horizontal and vertical sticks at the centre.
Secure it to the centre using the same wrapping technique with another length of wool. Wrap snugly until the stick is firm, then tie it off.
Repeat this process with the fourth stick, crossing it diagonally over the others to complete the cross’s shape.
5. Wrap the Arms of the Cross
Use the wool to wrap the ends of each stick, starting from the centre and working outward. This adds colour, strengthens the cross, and makes it more decorative.
Wrap tightly and evenly, leaving the very ends of the sticks exposed if you like the natural look, or covering them completely if you prefer.
Secure the wool at the end of each arm with a small knot or tuck it under the wrapping.
6. Decorate (Optional)
If you’d like, adorn your St. Brigid’s Cross with beads, dried flowers, or small charms by tying them onto the wool. This can add a personal touch and further symbolise your intentions.
Closing the Practice
Once your cross is complete, take a moment to hold it in your hands and reflect on the energy and intention you’ve woven into it. Say a prayer or blessing to Brigid, such as:
"Brigid, goddess of fire, healing, and inspiration, I offer this cross in your honour. May it protect my home, bless my hearth, and guide my spirit with your eternal light. Blessed be."
Place the cross somewhere meaningful, such as above your hearth, near your front door, or on your altar.
An Imbolc Affirmation
"As the earth awakens, so too does the light within me. I honour the spark of potential, the seeds of my dreams, and the warmth of renewal. I am open to transformation, guided by hope, and nurtured by the promise of brighter days. With Brigid’s flame, I shine. With her blessings, I grow."
Feel free to repeat this affirmation during meditation, while lighting a candle, or as part of your Imbolc rituals to align with the energy of this sacred season.
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