| Moonlit River Gallery Presents The Goddess Brighid |
have two sisters, each with the same name. She is the daughter of
the Dagda, the Celtic Lord of knowledge, and father to all. Her
mother might have been the Goddess Boann.
She seems to be one of the most well known Goddesses in The
British Isles.
Brighid is a Goddess of many things: Survival, Healing, Creativity,
Divination, Herbology, Poetry, Fertility, Agriculture, Smithcraft,
The Hearth, Music, Physicians, Midwifery, Witchcraft & Magick.
Other Goddesses that she has been associated with are Minerva,
Kuan Yin and Mary. She is a mother, She loves Her children, Her
followers, and Her Priestesses. She is compassionate and kind like
Mary and Kuan Yin. She is compared to Minerva because of Her
Wisdom.
| Brighid Illustration © Miranda Gray |
Isles. Brighid's most Sacred Well was in Kildare Ireland.
Kildare's original name was Cille Daire, which meant
"Church of the Oak." Legend says that there was an Oak
Tree that grew there, and Brighid loved it so much, she
considered it so sacred that no one dared harm it. She
built Her church under it's shade. She tricked the land
owner into giving Her the land to build Her church
upon. He said that She could have as much as Her
mantle (cloak) could cover. She laid down her mantle,
and She used magick to make it spread and spread for
miles. The land owner then gave Her all of that land.
Brighid's well was tended by an exclusive Female
Priesthood. There were 19 Priestesses. Each one took a
turn to tend Her Sacred Flame on a 20 night rotation.
Brighid tended Her own Flame on the 20th night. The
Priestesses would leave wood by the fire and say to
Brighid "Tonight is your night" and Brighid would come
and tend Her Flame.
| Photograph of Brighid's Well in Kildare Ireland. Photographer Unknown. |
Inspiration to Poets and Artists. She is the Goddess
of Creativity, and She blesses those who ask for Her
guidance and inspiration.
Another way Brighid is known is as a Banshee:
Brighid's son Ruadhan died in battle. Brighid grieved
over him. She was on the battlefield, holding him in
her arms, and She was crying so hard and so loud.
She was screaming and wailing. This was keening. It
was the first time the Celts ever heard it. Some say
that Brighid might be the origin of the faery ghost.
She might also be the first Banshee or Beansidhe
("woman faery").
| Goddess Box This box depicts a Brighid's Cross, Triquertras, Brighid's Sacred Flame, and a Goddess Figure. © 2005 Fae Garnet |
| My Imbolc Altar Imbolc 2006 © Fae Garnet |
holiday is one of the Eight Sabbats. Imbolc is the day to welcome the coming of Spring. It is
Brighid's promise to us that the Spring is coming again soon. The animals start lactating again,
daffodils and crocuses start poking through the dirt, the days start getting a little longer...
On this day we light candles in Brighid's honor. We burn Her Flame. We clean our homes, get rid
of old stuff, sage away stale energy... and look forward to the Spring.
There are so many things that are sacred to this Goddess.
The Animals that are sacred to Brighid are: the boar, the cow, the fish, the sheep, the snake, the
swan, the wolf, the bear, and the badger.
The Plants that are sacred to Brighid are: Blackberry, Snowdrops, Crocuses, Primrose, Grain &
Hops, Hazel, Rosemary, Dill, Chamomile, Red Clover, The Oak, Rowan, and the Willow.
Some of Brighid's Sacred Symbols are: Brighid's Cross, The Flame, Iron, The Milky Way, The
Moon, Nine White Stones, The Number 8, The Trinity, Two Crescents and Water.
***this information was taken from "Candlemas" p. 82-87 by Amber K. and Azrael Arynn K.
Some other things that are Sacred to Brighid: Fire, the Sun, Rubies, Garnets, Citrines,
Aquamarines, Sacred Wells & Rivers, Sheep, Shields, Shamrocks, the Triskele, Milk... Eyes are a
symbol; some say that her solar cross resembles the ojo de dios ("eye of god").
References and Disclaimers:
There are some graphics on this site that I have no information
for. Most of the Graphics on this site have either been found on "free
graphics for websites" sites, or emailed to me by
friends. If one of your graphics is on my website, I apologize
in advance. Just email
me with your information and I will give you credit.
Anam Cara A Book of Celtic Wisdom by John O'Donohue, HarperPerennial
1997
Candlemas by Amber K & Azrael Arynn K, Llewellyn
Publications 2001
Celtic Goddesses by Miranda Green, British Museum
Press 1995
Celtic Magick by D.J. Conway, Llewellyn Publications
1990
Celtic Women's Spirituality by Edain McCoy, Llewellyn
Publications 1998
Kindling the Celtic Spirit by Mara Freeman, Harper
SanFrancisco 2001
The Goddess Path by Patricia Monaghan, Llewellyn
Publications 1999
The Witches' Goddess by Janet and Stewart Farrar, Phoenix
Publishing Co. 1987
The Witch In Every Woman by Laurie Cabot and Jean Mills, Delta
Publications 1997
Great Mother of the Celts" -Kindling the Celtic Spirit p. 45 Mara Freeman
Brighid is a Goddess of many names.
In Ireland She is called Brigid, Brigit, Brighid, Brid.
In Scotland She is called Bhrighde, Bride Breo-Saighit, Brede.
The Welsh call Her Ffraid and the French call her Brigandu.
She is called Brigantia by the Northern English and Bridget in Sweden.
Her name is pronounced Brighid or Bree-id.
Some have said that Her name may have come from the word Brihati, which means "high" or
"exalted one" in Sanskrit. Her name in Gaelic means "fire tipped, exalted one, high one."
| by
Fae Garnet A Level 1 Final Project © All original material in this site is under copyright protection & is the intellectual property of the author. |
| Brighid Ritual This is one of my favourite rituals for Brighid. It's taken out of the book "The Witch in Every Woman" by Laurie Cabot with Jean Mills. Brighid's Circle This is a ritual to draw in Brighid's Light to keep you healthy, protected & empowered. You will need black, red, and white candles. Enough to make a circle around you while you're seated on the floor. You will also need a red stone, usually a Ruby or a Garnet. The candle circle represents the Goddess Brighid, and the stone represents Her Psychic Flame. Get comfortable. Sit in a relaxed position in the center of your circle. Light the candles and hold the red stone against your Solar Plexus. Envision flame in the center of the stone transferring inside your body. Feel it's heat. Say aloud: This is my psychic flame within. This will spur the fire of my psychic abilities. I carry this stone as a symbol of your strength within me. I am the Keeper of Flame. Every time I relight a candle I rekindle my psychic ability. I know my psychic sense guides me, protects me, heals me, and showers me with love and self esteem. I always use my psychic ability for the good of all people. As a Witch I never do harm or return harm. I neutralize and bind all evil thoughts, actions and deeds, And let the outcome be the force of the Great Goddess Brighid. Carry the stone close to you in your purse. Keep it near your skin or body. You may even want to carry the stone in your bra. Hold it, handle it, touch the stone to feel the strength of your psychic sense. |
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