| |
One of the most noted Triple Goddess is celebrated at the season of Imbolc, she is called by many names is and considered the goddess of poets, smiths, brewers, and healers. The most common and in Ireland is Brigid, though spellings may include Brigit, Brig, Brid, or Brighit which translates to "fiery arrow or exulted one". Some scholars profess that she is not one woman, but three siblings each having the name of Brigid. She has been considered the daughter of Daghda, the leader of the Tuatha de Danaan.
But what do we know of her, her season and those who followed her? Surprisingly, Brigid is one of the most recorded female gods in Irish mythology. She was considered to be the Celtic Minerva, known and worshiped for her intelligence, quality craft, healing abilities, warfare, and her ability as a druid. She is often seen as the goddess of rebirth and light. Brigid had many duties, none as famed as her guardianship of the Flame of Kildare, which was kept by as many as 19 priestesses. After Christianity became wide spread in Ireland, she would be known as Saint Briget.
She has been associated with the Torc Triath, the king of the wild boar, and two oxen, called Fea and Feimhean. Many stream, lakes and rivers bare her name. As well as the Brigantii tribe, which are named in her honor.
The festival honoring Brigid is typically hosted on February 1 and is called Imbolc "ewe's milk", Imbolg, or Oimelc and later Candlemass. The celebration comes at the time of the return of spring, the end of difficult and dark winter months. Lambs would be born, sheep began to give milk, and the more gentle rains would bring forth growth.
The eve before her day is called La Fheill Brid, at this time ancient men and women would lay out strips of cloth called the mantle of Bride, for the goddess to bless with her healing powers. Young girls would make a female image and take it through the village. This figure would be made of cornhusks or straw and was decorated with colored shells, crystals and early spring flowers as a representation of the Goddess. These dolls were known as bride or Brideag. Brigid's crosses may be given out as the Brideah was processed through the local area. These crosses were made of rushes or grass, and were hung in the houses and stables to honor the goddess and ask her protection. They are near to the shape of the Irish symbol for sun.
Imbolc was a season of renewal and for that many would seek to purify their spirits and their homes. Houses would be sweep out and the remains of any greens used to decorate the home at Yule would be burned. Many made pilgrimages to the Sacred Fire in Kildare or to the various blessed wells that were attributed to the goddess. In later times the lighting of fires and burning of candles would become popular to symbolize how Brigid brought the return of inner fire and summer's warmth. In America, this welcoming of the warmth and the end of winter can be seen in the custom of Groundhog's day. In England and Wales it is the practice of Candlemass. |
_________________________________________
Read more here!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigid
http://www.ladybridget.com/brid.html
http://www.celticspirit.org/imbolc.htm
|
The Gardens
|
