Brighid is the Celtic Triple Goddess of Smithcraft, Healing, and Poetry. She is connected to the elements water and fire. As a master smith, Brighid combines the awesome power of fire to forge metal and then quenches her creation in a basin of cool water. This same alchemical combination of fire water is practiced in the healing arts, when herbs are cooked in the cauldron over a fire, and in the Tigh n’ Alluis, the Celtic sweat house in which stones are heated and then doused with water or herbal tea to generate steam. Those within sweat out their illness as they breathe in the vaporized medicine. Likewise, poetry is a fusion of the elements of water (emotion) and fire (the fire of thought in the wise.) Brighid is she who brings the springtime flowers. As the Cailleach freezes the springs and rivers at Samhain, the Goddess Brighid melts the ice with a touch from her wand and quickens life for the spring rebirth.
Many healing wells are dedicated to Brighid throughout Celtic lands, the most famous being at Kildare, where the flame has been kept since pre-Christian times, and was later tended by the Brigidine Sisters after Brighid was canonized as a saint. Kildare is also the location of a powerful healing spring which has long been the destination of pagan and Christian pilgrims alike.
The Name, “Brighid”
The name Brighid means “Bright One,” “Fiery Arrow,” and “High One,” identifying her as a solar deity. Throughout the Celtic realms, name appears in many variations, including1:
- Scotland: Bhrìghde, Brighid, Bride
- Ireland: Brigid, Brigit, Brighid, Brìd, Brígh
- Manx: Breeshey
- Wales: Ffraid
- England: Brigantia, Brittania
- France: Brigandu
Brighid’s name was synonymous with the land itself, Great Britain.
Goddess of the Tuatha Dé Danann
Brighid is daughter to the Morrighan, the Tuatha Dé Danann Goddess of Death, and the Dagda, the “Good God,” a life-sustaining deity famed for his hospitality and his magical Cauldron of Plenty, the Coire Ansic. Thus, life and death had a daughter, whose domain was fire and water. Brighid’s brother was Ogma, god of eloquent speech, who is credited with inventing the Ogham tree alphabet. Brighid was married to Bres, the Fomorian King who waged war against the Tuatha Dé Danann. Through her mediation, the warring tribes made peace. Brighid had three sons – the Three Gods of Danu – Ruadan, Iuchar and Uar, who married the three Princesses of Ireland – Eire, Fodhla and Banbha.2
Correspondences3:
Holy Days: Imbolc and Beltane
Plants: red clover, oak, shamrock, rushes, corn (wheat/grains), rowan
Crystals: moss agate, emerald, garnet, citrine, amber, rainbow obsidian
Animals: cow, crow, boar, swan, sheep, serpent, badger, wolf, salmon, pig, horse, white bull, vulture, fox, raven
Places: Kildare, Faughart, Liscannor, All Sacred Wells and Springs, Inishmurray, Brigid Braint and Brent Rivers
Symbols: Triskele and Triquetra
Elements: Fire and Water
Offerings: fire, water, white serpent, the number 19, swans, white candles, prayer, metals, tying ribbons to trees, blackberries, eggs, honey, bread, cake, bacon, milk, cheese, butter, ale, coins, a basket made of rushes called Brigid’s Bed, Brigid’s crosses, leave food and drink on doorstep for Brigid’s cow, cakes on windowsill on Imbolc, poetry
Ways to Worship Brighid4:
- Celebrate Imbolc! Brighid’s holy day. One way of celebrating is to make a Brighid’s Cross5:
- Set up an altar in your home or grove honoring Brighid. Place items corresponding to or associated with Brighid. You wish to keep candle(s) lit on your altar to honor Brighid’s eternal flame. The example below uses an icon of St. Brighid6:
- Visit a local well or spring. Wash your hands, drink, or ritually bathe in the waters and request healing from Brighid. Recite a traditional prayer to Brighid, such as the one below:
In the steep and common path of our calling,
Be it easy or uneasy to our flesh,
Be it dark or bright for us to follow,
May your perfect guidance be upon us.
Brigid of the Forge, be thou a shield to us!
Brigid of the Fold, be thou our shepherd and our healer!
In each secret thought our minds may weave, Brigid of the Loom, give us sweet clarity.
In our grief or pain or sadness,
Brigid of the Well, heal us, strengthen us, stand with your mighty shoulder near to ours.
And in our joys and in our bliss, Brigid of the Hearth, Keeper of the Bread plate, Maker of Beer,
Dance with us as we waken the great round garden of the world.7
References
1. Cited from the article, “Brigit” at https://druidry.org/resources/brigid-2
2. Ibid.
3. Cited from https://otherworldlyoracle.com/celtic-goddess-brigid/
4. Ibid.
5. https://colorful-crafts.com/brigids-cross-tutorial/
6. Cited from https://www.goodenergiesalliance.ie/time-to-welcome-spring-st-brigid-day-at-ballinaglera-community-hall/
7. Cited from https://witchesandpagans.com/pagan-culture-blogs/prayers-for-imbolc-beloved-bigid.html
Spirit of the Alleghenies 