The Order of the White Moon
Goddess Gallery Presents
BRIGID
Triple Goddess of Healing,
Smith Craft and Poetry By Linda Perfect (©2017.
All original material in this work is under copyright protection and is the
intellectual property of the author.)
My reasons for choosing Brigid as
the focus for my project are threefold. The first is that I come from Irish
ancestry so have a natural connection with Celtic culture. The second reason is that She is
inspirational to me, her bright flame draws me, helps me to shape my life. I
love her connection to fire, creativity and to healing and protection. My third reason is that I have a
deep personal connection to her; my birthday is near Imbolc, Her time for
celebration. She is Goddess of Druids and Bards and I have walked the Druid
path for many years. She is Protectress of Mothers and Children and much of my
life has been of mothering and children. She is also Goddess of Seers and for
much of my life Divination has been a part of my service to Goddess and
humanity. Background and Symbolism Brigid has Her origins in Irish
culture during the Iron Age of the Celts. But Her influence is widespread; with
evidence of Her worship in France, Wales, Italy and New York. She is predominantly
viewed as Irish. Legend tells us that she was one of
the Tuatha de Dannan, daughter of the Goddess Danu and Dagda, who was known as
the Good God. Her people were said to have come from the Otherworld, known for
their magical powers, beauty and longevity, they became known as the Fair Folk.
But there are many versions of Her story. One is that she is the daughter of
the Dagda and the Morrigan, Goddess of War. Another says Brigid and the Dagda
chose to create order in the world and populate it with the Children of Danu. Her time is early Spring and Her
festival is Imbolc, at the beginning of February. She is the Light upon the
Waters of the melting ice, at the time when sheep come to lamb, Spring is born
and the milk of Nature’s kindness flows once again across the Land. Sheep are
among her totem beasts and she blesses all farm animals. She is also associated
with swans, serpents and salamanders Though originally a pagan deity,
Brigid was “adopted” by the Christian faith and there are a multitude of churches
dedicated to the one they call Saint Brigid. She is also known as St Bride,
Brid and Brigitte. As well as churches, spiritual groups, women’s groups and
secular charities have all been set up in her name. Brigid is also associated
with the Roman Minerva and British Brigantia.
She is worshipped in all three of
her aspects: as patron of poets, healers and smiths. She is Lady of the Eternal
Flame, Lady of the Waters, Goddess of Druids (who themselves echo Her
triplicates in their grades of Bard, Ovate and Druid).
Brigid is Goddess of healing,
battle, leech craft, love and death. She is Goddess of the Forge and of metals.
She is Goddess of Painters, Poets and Prophets and Seers. She is Goddess of the Oak. She protects
children and challenges authority. She is Mother and Midwife. Her name means
Bright One or Exalted One. She uses the elements of fire and
water, she creates, destroys and regenerates. She is worshipped at holy wells in
a variety if rituals which may include lighting a candle, reciting a prayer,
walking in a pattern, giving an offering or drinking of the holy water. She is at the core of the Druid
Imbolc celebrations as The Light on the Waters, blessing the snowmelt with her
powers of healing and renewal as Spring slowly emerges from the frozen time of
Winter’s darkness, allowing all life again and the milk of nature’s kindness
flows once more over the Earth refreshing and renewing all life. She is probably known best of all
as the Keeper of the Eternal flame. As well as signifying the need to
perpetuate life, in this role. She also
motivates us to keep our personal flame burning, so whatever challenge life may
throw at us we have the strength to carry on, for it is only by doing so and
nurturing the eternal quality of Spirit that we can achieve our full potential.
The Harp is a primary symbol of
Brigid. She plays the music of the Divine to inspire our souls to create. She
is the Muse that calls us to let our inner light shine out, to reach deep into
our spiritual source and bring forth it's beauty in whatever artistic form is
right for the individual. As the Goddess of Smiths, her
symbol is the Anvil.
The Anvil uses the element of fire
to define and shape who we have the potential to be. It is a heavy tool and can
be dangerous, but inviting Brigid to shape us with her Anvil can bring forth
unrealised potential and creative transformation. But do not expect this
process to be easy, Brigid gives us challenges to overcome that we may become
strong and true.
Brigid’s cross is probably Her
best- known symbol, it is made of rushes and originally a pagan Sun symbol that
has been co-opted by Celtic Christianity. The cross has rites and myths
associated with healing and protection, it is also a symbol of Brigid in her
fertility aspect; She who blesses the crops and the livestock, Brigid, who is
Mother and Midwife to all beings on Earth. The Cross represents our nurturing
aspect, as we tend to hearth and home, keeping the eternal flame of life
burning on Earth, turning with the cycles of Nature through birth, growth,
flowering, decay and regeneration. Other symbols of Brigid are her
Cloak- also a symbol of Protection, the Hawthorn, symbol of fertility, and the
Oak Flower, blossom of the tree of wisdom. Her flowers are snowdrops and
crocuses and the three-leafed shamrock symbolises Her place as a triple
Goddess. Original
Brigid Ritual This ritual is one to be celebrated
at Imbolc when the Lady of the Flame comes to cast Her light upon the waters
and melt the ice. Intention: To align myself with
Brigid's energy to renew, reshape and inspire. Tools White candle at the centre of my
circle for Imbolc and 4 red and 4 orange tea lights for her flames. Rose scented incense stick A lighter for the candles An image of Brigid from one of my
oracle sets A bowl of water Outline Light central candle and stick
incense Purify and cast my circle Invocation to Brigid:
Lady Brigid I
ask for your blessing may the
warmth of your Flame
melt the ice in me may
your healing waters
refresh and renew me may the
music of your harp
inspire me may
your anvil shape me
may your radiance shine through me Light the eight tea lights and
place them carefully in the bowl of water Lifting the bowl with the candles
in Singing Brigid chant to raise
energy:
Lady of the Water Lady of the Flame Illuminate
me with your light
Blessed be your name When the song ceases, I send out
the energy I have raised saying: The Lady of the Flame shines upon the waters Ice melts
and all flows again Self-blessing: adding at the end: I
dedicate myself to work in Her name for the highest good of all, may none be
harmed, so mote it be. Grounding energy into the floor Giving thanks to Brigid Un-casting the circle Placing the central candle (now
unlit) on my altar and pouring out the water into my garden so the energy
of my ritual is poured into earth. Brigid
chant: (original) Lady of the water Lady of the Flame Illuminate me
with your light Blessed
be your name Brigid
Dedication (original) Goddess of
Smiths shape me
on your anvil
Goddess of Bards inspire me
with your song
Goddess of healing bathe me in your healing
waters
Triple Goddess She
that is all Women I
dedicate myself to you Resources: Brigid- Courtney Weber Angelfire.com- Celtic Goddesses. Wikipedia Celtic Gods, Celtic Goddesses- R.J.
Stewart
A Level I Order of the White Moon Final Project
