Brighid: The Diverse Fire Goddess

http://www.lunaea.com/goddess/creativity/bridshrine.html

By Anyia Leanaun Sidhe

Part I
Level I Final Project

Part II

Level II Final Project
December 2005

 

Personal Note

My call to be a priestess of Brighid came mid-way through the summer of 2005. For a few years, I had been working on my dream interpretation skills. In the early months of 2005 I began to feel a strong desire to find a patron deity, and began doing research on various pantheons. I asked for aid in my quest in my nightly meditations and dream preparations. I asked the spirits of my dreams to connect me with a patron who would guide and inspire me on my Path.

On one particular night, I went through my nightly meditation ritual, and went to sleep. Sometime before dawn, I dreamed I was in a cave. The cave was very dark, and there were many boulders and ground clutter that made it difficult to pass through. Suddenly I see a light. It is faint at first, but was soon right in front of me. The light illuminates the face of a beautiful woman with slate grey eyes and dark hair. She has a white shroud type cloak on. In her hand she carries a burning torch that lights the path ahead. She takes my hand and urges me forward without uttering a word. When we reach an obstacle, she looks back, smiles, and psychically tells me I can make it. I see her smile, which is as bright as her torch, and I feel in my heart that she is the patron I have been searching for all my life. I know this wonderful, guiding Goddess is Brighid.

The information I provide here is a result of the hours of research I have conducted since the night of my revelation. Enjoy and Goddess Bless!

~Anyia Leanaun Sidhe


Brighid: The Diverse Goddess


Culture: Brighid is an ancient Celtic/Gaelic Goddess who is worshipped on the isles of Ireland and the British Isles.1 The root word of her name brig means flame, force, vigor, and exalted status.2 She was so popular, that she later made a successful transition into Christianity and became St. Brighid. She is a triple Goddess, meaning that she has representations that honor the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone. This triple Goddess status later migrated with Brighid into Christianity and became the holy (male) Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.8 She is associated with the Goddesses Minerva (Rome) and Athena and Hecate (Greece).3

Name Variations: There are many variations in the way this Goddess’s name is spelled. The different spellings stem from the different areas on the map where she was worshipped. These variations include: Brigindo (Gaul), Brigantia (N. England), Brig (Ireland), Brid, Brigid, Brighid, Bride (Scotland), Brigit (most ancient form), Brigan, Brigandu.8 Diverse interpretation of Brighid’s names provide these definitions: Bright Arrow, The Bright One, The Powerful One, The High One.

Legends: There are many legends surrounding the Goddess Brighid.

Brighid was raised on milk from a red and white cow.3

Heroes often requested protection and guidance from her before going off to battle or going on a quest.

It is thought that if someone is of ill health, all they have to do is call on Brighid to drape her green mantle on them, and they will be healed.

Her mantle was thought to have been laid on the Earth to create a deep, clear lake of healing waters.5

Brighid was thought to have been born at sunrise with a tower of flame bursting from her forehead that reached from the Earth to the Heavens.9

Family: Brighid comes from the Tuatha De Danann tribe of Celts. Her father is rumored to have been Daghda (the great God of Knowledge). She was married to Breas (the God of fertility and agriculture) and they produced a son Ruadan. Ruadan was killed in battle, and Brighid invented wailing for the dead or keening.5

Associations: Brighid is associated with fire (hearth and forge), domestic arts (housekeeping/weaving/broom making/bread baking/marriage/childbirth), the Moon, water, and serpents. She is patron Goddess of agriculture, healing, herbalism, inspiration, learning, divination, occult knowledge, poetry, prophesy, and smith craft.4 She is also considered the patron Goddess of tunnel divination. Tunnel divination is when the diviner makes a tunnel out of their hands to form a ‘seeing tube’ to discover lost people or animals, or to inquire about the health of a family member or friend.6 Brighid guards her followers against evil, calamity; and provides guidance to those who wish to achieve courage, compassion, inspiration, hope, healthy animals, and those wishing to become healers.10 She is in command of the powers of water as well as the powers of fire. She has power over the health of trees and animals as well.1

Sacred Symbols: Brighid is associated with many different symbols.

Colors: Red, White

Trees: Apple, Rowan, Birch, Willow1

Plants: Blackberry

Season: Spring

Herbs: Angelica, Balm, Cowslip, Fennel, Flax, Garlic, Goat’s Rue, Mugwort, Nettle, Mistletoe, Ragwort9

Animals: Cows, Sheep/Goats, Owls, Cranes, Oxen (two oxen Fea and Feimhean are her familiars), Swine (Triath-King of the Swine-is also one of her familiars), Oyster catcher birds, Snakes1, 3, & 5

Inventions: Ogham (Celtic form of writing), keening (wailing on battlefields)1

Weapon: Spear (or anything forged). It was also thought that she forged the sword Excalibur that legendary King Arthur carried.

Brighid’s Cross: A type of solar cross that was fashioned of wheat sheaves.

Brighid’s Bed: A sheaf of oats that is dressed up like a baby (or the Brighid’s cross) and placed in a basket (bed). The bed was place on the hearth and burned while domestic duties were being performed. This was performed on the Celtic New Year.

Worship: Legend states that Brighid was worshiped in a temple which held an eternally burning, ash less flame that was tended by nineteen priestesses.2 This temple was located in Kildare, Ireland.3 When Brighid was Christianized, the nineteen priestesses became nuns. When patriarch religion took over, the ‘eternal flame’ of Brighid was extinguished. Today, the importance of worshipping Brighid has been rekindled.

Festival/Sabbat: Imbolc (or Imbolg) is Brighid’s celebration. She is accredited for bringing the light back to the Earth after the long, dark winter. Imbolc is held on or near February 1. In Germany, it is called Olmelc, which means ewe’s milk or lactation. The night before Imbolc was considered ‘Brighid’s Eve.’ On Brighid’s Eve, young women wearing white, would go from house to house singing and dancing. The occupants of the house were to give them small gifts such as eggs or money.5 Today, Brighid is worshipped by people desiring to reconnect to the old ways of Celtic worship. Worshippers call on her to rekindle their hope, inspire their creative endeavors, and create compassion.

Evidence: Archaeological inscriptions have been found on statues and wells that mention the name of Brighid. In western Europe, there are rivers, towns, and places that bear derivatives of the name of this Goddess. There are also many folk practices that have been handed down from family to family that call on the name of Brighid.2

Compressed List of Correspondences:

Divination

Domestic Arts

Fertility

Fire

Foretelling

Healing

Herbs

Home

Inspiration

Love

Magickal Arts

Metalworking

Moon

Motherhood

Music

Poetry

Prophesy

Psychic Abilities

Rituals

Spells

Wisdom

Writing

RITUAL TO BRIGHID: (This was my personal dedication ritual to Brighid that I performed on Litha 2005).

DEDICATION TO BRIGHID RITUAL

Brighid_Celtic_Goddess By James_Wappel_Studios

Materials: Ritual outline, sage wand, besom, quarter candles, red & white candle for Brighid, drums, medicine bag, oil for anointing, wine for anointing, water, salt, pentacle (I made mine out of stones I found at the site)

Ground and meditate : Read 'The Mystery of Brighid' while everyone relaxes and listens to the water.

The Mystery of Brighid

You walked out of ancient mists

Bringing light to my hearth,

Blessing with fire,

Restoring the life with the flame.

Clothed in your grace,

I follow your footsteps

To the place where mysteries merge

And the shapes behind myth

Are revealed as truth.

Your presence soothes

And sharpens memory,

You are my maker of song,

The radiant flame of gold

That illuminates the land

Beyond the ninth wave,

That forges a sword of light,

To penetrate, to heal.

Kneeling at your well

I drink of your mystery,

The waters of the sun

Flood my skull

With sacred fire,

Flowing with light,

My spirit sings of the deep.

Cleanse participants

Cast circle:The broom for representation of the maiden, mother, and crone aspect of Brighid.

Call Quarters:

<South:(Fire) Brighid brings the fire light in early Spring a time of change, will, and passion. BLESS ME BRIGHID WITH YOUR WARM HEALING LIGHT.

<West:(Water): Brighid inspires psychic ability in divination by opening the subconscious mind to those who visit her wells. BLESS ME BRIGHID WITH YOUR DIVINE SIGHT.

<North:(Earth): Brighid provides abundant healing power and stability. BLESS ME BRIGHID WITH YOUR HEALING POWER BY KEEPING ME STABLE, SOLID, AND DEPENDABLE.

<East:(Air): Brighid gives inspiration to those with a creative mind. BLESS ME BRIGHID WITH CREATIVE INSPIRATION THAT CHALLENGES ME TO USE MY INTELLECT.

Call Deity:

<Kneel before the altar and light the red candle. Warm hands in front of the candle and read poem:

Prayer to Brighid

Hail Brighid of the Eternal Flame

I humbly ask you to be my guide

As I am taking the steps again

That will lead me back to my inner light

For I am back on the Old Path

That I have taken some lives ago

I remember the words of the ancient oath

As they were written upon my soul

I sing the songs I know by heart

I dance again the spiral dance

My will is strong and so my desire

I let go my body to seek you in trance

I long to see the Island of Apples

To see the hills

To feel the calm

To smell the sweet fragrance of flowers

To be once more in the Faery Realm

Oh blessed Brighid of the Sacred Fire

Show me the way, take me by the hand

Part the mists that cover my sight

Welcome me back into your domain

<Light the white candle. Warm hands in front of the candles and read poem:

Prayer to Brighid

Be my shelter, be my guide

Be my dream and my reality

Be my dark side and my bright

Be my friend and be my guard

Be my music and be my silence

Be my mother and be my lover.

Walk behind me as I go,

Walk beside me when I’m sad,

Walk in front of me as torch,

Help me carry all my bags.

Be within my lonely heart,

For I need You more than ever,

Be my voice and I’m your bard,

Let us always be together.

Everyone Sit

Begin Drumming (slow heartbeat type beat)

Medicine Bag Dedication:

<Anoint necklace with oil.

<Anoint with water and salt.

<Pass through the flames of the Goddess candles.

<Lay cleansed necklace on the pentacle on the altar.

<Say: 'By Charging this divine token with earth, air, fire, and water, may the protective, inspirational, and creative mantle of Brighid, the Great Triple Goddess, descend on __________ (name of dedicant) and surround her all of her days on Earth and the beyond.'

Presentation of Necklace

<Stand at the altar.

<Take medicine bag and hold out over altar.

<Read poem:

May the Flame of the Hearth

May the Flame of the Hearth

Warm and Cheer You

May the Flame of the Healer

Turn Away disease and Ills

May the Flame of Inspiration

Teach and enlighten your mind

May Brighid’s sacred flame

Lead you toward her light.

<Place necklace around neck.

Stop Drumming

Personal Dedication

<Kneel/Stand in front of the altar again holding the necklace out in front of body.

<Read poem:

Name Poem

I am she who is born of the Goddess

I am she who chases the moon

I am she who is cleansed in it’s light

I am she that wields her might

I am she who tends the flame

I am she that keeps the hearth

I am she that honors sacred space

I am she that knows the Lady’s face

I am she the writer of words

I am she the teller of tales

I am she that holds the moon

I am she who’s heart holds the tune

I am she the healer and healed

I am she the teacher and student

I am she the Mother and child

I am she the tame and the wild

I am she from the forest green

I am she from the lakes so bright

I am she that walks within night

I am she a daughter of the Lady Brighid

-----

‘Bless me mother for I am thy child.’

((Anoint eyes))

‘Blessed be my eyes, that I may see thy path.’

((Anoint nose))

‘Blessed be my nose, that I may breathe thy essence.’

((Anoint mouth))

‘Blessed be my mouth, that I may speak of Thee.’

((Anoint breasts))

‘Blessed be my breasts, that I may be faithful in my works.’

((Anoint loins))

‘Blessed be my loins, which bring forth the Life of humanity as thou hast brought forth all creation.’

((Anoint feet))

‘Blessed be my feet, that I may walk in thy ways.’

Thanking of circle attendants individually.

Release Deity

Thank you for your presence tonight Brighid.

I am honored to be a Daughter of the Flame in your Earthly temple.

Release Quarters

<East: Thank you for bestowing your creative inspiration on me tonight.

<North: Thank you for bestowing your healing ability on me tonight.

<West: Thank you for bestowing your psychic abilities on me tonight.

<South: Thank you for bestowing your ever burning healing light on me tonight.

Release Circle

(poems in this dedication were given to me by a friend, whom found them at unrelated sources. I think some of the poems were written by some of my fellow priestesses in the school, but I can not be sure. Many apologies if used unwillingly)

Part II

Level II Final Project
December 2005


SPELLS
 
Uterine Creativity Unblocking Spell: Brighid’s Healing Spell
(Spell to request that Brighid unblock your creativity and simultaneously heal your health disorder.)
Request her assistance for stalled projects or build her an altar to request inspiration.
Decorate her altar with burning candles and dishes of magically charged waters.
Display images of cows, pigs, bees, and bee-hives.
Offer Brighid a bowl of milk and blackberries.
 
Sacred Midwife Spell: Brighid
While other pagan spirits were deomnized or turned into fairy or witch queens, Brighid, prominent Celtic spirit, transitioned to official Roman Catholic sainthood as Saint Brighid. Once exceptionally multifaceted spirit, associated with smithcraft and women’s primal power, among Brighid’s spiritual roles was that of the sacred midwife. Vestiges persist in the legend that Brighid was the midwife who assisted at Jesus’ birth.
According to old Scottish custom, should Brighid’s magical, spiritual assistance be required at a birth, the midwife must go to the door of the birthing chamber and call out her name.
Snake Bag
This is a magic evocation of the old fashioned doctor’s black bag. Wrap the following up in a freely shed snakeskin:
Adders tongue
A piece of rattlesnake root
A snake stone fetish or image of Medusa’s head
Hang or carry to speed recovery and to maintain good health.
 
White Cow Healing Bath Spell
(This healing bath is based on the ancient magic traditions of Celtic Ireland and Scotland.)
Gently warm milk, ideally from a white cow r a white-faced cow.
Pour this into a bowl over dried healing herbs and let them steep together.
Strain out solids and add the milk to your bath.
Any herbs suitable for your health may be used. For general vitality, try a combination of chamomile, lavender, and rosemary.
 
DIVINATION SPELL: Fire Reading (1)
Fold paper into an accordion style fan.
Stand it up in a vertical direction.
Set it on fire.
The oracle is received by interpreting the flames as well as shadows cast.
 
Iron Protection Spells/Amulets
(Iron provides protection 24 hours a day, whether you are asleep or awake. Since Brighid is the goddesss of metal working, these spells and amulets are automatically blessed by her.)
  • Bend a horseshoe nail into a ring.
  • An iron bracelet reinforces the magical protective capacities of the hand.
  • String iron beads and wear around neck and ankles.
  • For protection while you sleep, slip a knife or horseshoe under your pillow.
  • If you prefer not to keep anything that hard in bed, a sword or fireplace poker can be kept under the bed.
  • No need to keep anything in or under the ed: sleeping in a bed crafted from iron creates an island of safety, reinvigorating health, creativity, and fertility while you sleep.
Iron Bath Spell
Place an iron nail into a drawstring bag and hang it from the faucet so that water runs through it into a bath. Reserve the nail, drying thoroughly; it may be used over and over again as needed.
 
Hearth Fire Protection
To protect against evil forces burn angelica, bay laurel leaves, juniper, mugwort, and wisteria in the hearth. A fireplace or iron cauldron substitutes for the traditional open hearth.
 
All of these spells came from Judith Illes' book 'The Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells.
 
PRAYERS
 
Prayers to Brighid were conducted each night at the hearth, to keep the fire protected and keep those in the house protected.  Poets and bards prayed to her for inspiration.
Midwives prayed to her to bless them in their work.  Others prayed to asking for plentiful crops, healing, inspiration, learning, help with divination, prophesy.  They also prayed for her to guard them against evil, calamity; to provide guidance to those who wish to achieve courage, compassion, inspiration, hope, healthy animals, and those wishing to become healers.
 
--Examples--
 
Kindling the Fire
This morning, as I kindle the flame upon my hearth, I pray that the flame of Brighid may burn in my soul, and the souls of all I meet today.
I pray that no envy and malice, no hatred or fear, may smother the flame.
I pray that indifference and apathy, contempt and pride, may not pour like cold water on a flame.
Instead, may the spark of Brighid light the love in my sould, that it may burn brightly through the day.
And may I warm those that are lonely, whose hearts are cold lifeless, so that all may know the comfort of Brighid's love.
 
Covering the Fire
Brighid, preserve the fire, as You preserve us all.
Brighid, may its warmth remain in our midst, as You are always among us.
Brighid, may it rise in the morning, as You raise us to life.
 
Great Goddess Brighid
I ask for your inspiration
In all my endeavors
Help me to learn new things
Please give me the gifts
Of poetry and creativity
Help me to clean out the old and musty
In my mind and heart
Show me how to make mundane tasks
A joy and Honor to you
Make my hands, my lips, my mind
My heart and my soul, a blessing to you
Forge me into your instrument
That I may be a blessing
To you and the Old Ones
As well as a blessing to all I meet
May they see your love and power in me
Teach me to Honor you in being
A wife, a mother, and keeping a home
I dedicate my life to you
My body, soul, heart, and mind
To your service.
~by Gina T. Ranney
 
Earth Mother
Earth Mother
Giver of life
Strengthen me during my life-long strife.
Teach me your ways of perfect love, peace, and wisdom true.
Spawn from my purest heart
These words to you
May this prayer help me to better
Myself in word and deed,
To a higher plane I shall succeed.
Beautiful light of goodness fair
Lore of old we both do share
A Witch's brew, I drink to you
My love for you, by day, by night
In thought and in sight
Will my soul learn
The meaning of this life again.
 
Charge of the Goddess Brighid
I know you hear my voice, many a night you have cried my tears.
I am the one who has been with you all these years.
It is my song you sang,
A hymn to a goddess long before you knew a goddess walked your dreams and path
Brighid mother, Brighid guardian
Brighid mother, Brighid guardian
Walk with me and let me hold your hand you know the words you sing my poems
Mother Brighid
Brighid Guardian
Poetess of our dreams, walk with me
I teach you the same songs sung of old
The messages and melody stay the same
I am the one who sings songs that give men hope
I am the voice of poetry singing in your dreams
Deep in the night
When the moon is full
Deep in a circle
Voice chant my songs
Do you hear thier voices calling me?
I am the mother, maiden, Crone
Of all poets and poetry,
Mother Brighid
Brighid Guardian
Do you hear my singing, Child?
It is my blessing that you are granted to all but understood by so few.
It is my poems that will reduce you to tears like a child or make you soar among the clouds
I am the poetess and guardian
Call on me and listen to hear my voice.
~Temple of Wicca http://www.rollanet.org/~mdoc/pagan/
 
Invocation to Brighid
Hail Brighid, Goddess of Fire and Frost
I bid you welcome at this time
And call for the blessings of your inspiration
Guide the tools of smiths, pens of poets and the hands of healers
That their gifts heal the body as well as the soul.
Let me seek the seed of life that is within me
And see the reflection of your eternal flame.
http://www.ravenmoondesigns.com/blog/archives/2005/02/15
 
The Genealogy of Brighid
Every day and every night
That I say the genealogy of Brighid
I shall not be killed,
I shall not be wounded,
I shall not be harried;
I shall not be put into a cell;
No fire, no sun, no moon will burn me,
No water, no lake, no sea will drown me,
For I am child of Reflection-Reflection,
Child of Meditation-Meditation,
Child of Lore-Lore,
Child of Research-Research,
Child of Great Knowledge-Great Knowledge,
Child of Intelligence-Intelligence,
Child of Comprehension-Comprehension,
Child of Wisdom-Wisdom,
CHILD OF BRIGHID.
 
Prayer
Most Holy Brighid,
Excellent Woman,
Bright Arrow,
Sudden Flame;
May your bright fiery Sun take us swiftly to your lasting kingdom.
 
Brighid Invocation
Hail Golden Mother, Inspirer of us all
Mother of healing, Mistress of the Arts
Lady of every skill, on Thee we call
To pour Thy Magick into human hearts
Bestow Thy blessing on the poets pen
The craftman's chisel and the healers hand
and guide the work of women and men
To bring Thy beauty into this our land.
 
Emergency Invocation
Brighid, wise one, we your children call to you
Lady Smithy, we your children invite you here
Triple Goddess, we your children ask your presence
Brighid, wise one, we your children call to you
Lady Smithy, we your children invite you here
Triple Goddess, we your children ask your presence here.
 
Brighid Protection Prayer
Everyday, every night that I praise the Goddess
I know I will be safe, I shall not be chased
I shall not be caught, I shall not be harmed
Fire, Sun, and Moon cannot burn me
Nor lake, nor stream, nor sea can drown me
Faerie Arrow cannot pierce me
I am safe, safe, safe singing her praise
Brighid Golden Red Woman, Brighid flame and honeycomb,
Brighid, sun of womanhood
Brighid lead me home.
You are a branch in blossom
You are a sheltering dome
You are my bright precious freedom
Brighid lead me home!
 
Brighid's Rune Chant
I ____________ in this fateful hour
Place all Nature within Her power
The sun with it's brightness
The Moon with it's whiteness
The Fire with all strength in hath
The lightening with it's rapid wrath
The Winds with their swiftness along their path
The Sea with it's deepness
The Rocks with their steepness
The Earth with it's starkness
All these I place with Brighid's almighty help and grace
Between myself and the powers of evil.
 
Brighid of the Mantle
Brighid of the Mantle, encompass us
Lady of the lambs, protect us
Keeper of the hearth, kindle us
Beneath your Mantle, gather us, and restore us to memory.
Mother of our mothers, foremothers strong,
Guide our hands in yours
Remind us how to kindle the flame, to keep it bright
To preserve the light.
Your hands upon ours,
Our hands within yours
To kindle the flame, both day and night.
The Mantle of Brighid about us,
The memory of Brighid within us.
The protection of Brighid, keeping us from harm, from ignorance, from heartlessness,
This day and this night, from dawn till dark
From dark till dawn.
 
Brighid Prayer (long)
Beloved Brighid of the Triple Flame, Daughter of the Dagda,
Guardian of the Sacred Springs, whose voice is the soul of the Harp.
We call on Thee!
Teach our hands to heal and our hearts to sing.
We entrust our lives progress to your care and ask that you shape us,
Bending and turning our hearts on your bright anvil of flame till we are made perfect
To play for the sould of the people in times of sorrow and times of celebration.
We thank you for your gifts to us of poetry and music, of laughter and tears,
May we always remember to meditate on the gift of your sacred waters,
Our hearts are open to receive your blessings.
Midwife of our souls, rain on us.
Shower your inspiration in curtains of song from sacred waterfalls in the realm where you are
Come to us as virgin with the soft smell of flowers.
Come to us as mother and feed us your fruits.
Come to us as wise woman in the stark blasts of winter.
Help us to see your mystery in all creation, that we may know gratitude and reverance.
Our hearts sing to your with love.
Teach us to change with the revolving seasons.
Teach us to grow like the green corn that fees the people.
Teach us to fashion beauty like the stillness of the forest pool and the roar of the furnace.
Teach us to heal like the soothing gem which cools the eyes and restores the limbs.
With humility and bright expectations, we invoke thee this hour!
 
Prayer to Brighid
Hail Brighid of the Eternal Flame
I humbly ask you to be my guide
As I am taking the steps again
That will lead me back to my inner light
For I am back on the Old Path
That I have taken some lives ago
I remember the words of the ancient oath
As they were written upon my soul
I sing the songs I know by heart
I dance again the spiral dance
My will is strong and so my desire
I let go my body to seek you in trance
I long to see the Island of Apples
To see the hills
To feel the calm
To smell the sweet fragrance of flowers
To be once more in the Faery Realm
Oh blessed Brighid of the Sacred Fire
Show me the way, take me by the hand
Part the mists that cover my sight
Welcome me back into your domain
 
Prayer to Brighid
Be my shelter, be my guide
Be my dream and my reality
Be my dark side and my bright
Be my friend and be my guard
Be my music and be my silence
Be my mother and be my lover.
Walk behind me as I go,
Walk beside me when I’m sad,
Walk in front of me as torch,
Help me carry all my bags.
Be within my lonely heart,
For I need You more than ever,
Be my voice and I’m your bard,
Let us always be together.
 
Praise for Brighid
'A Bhrigid, scar os mo chionn Do bhrat fionn dom anacal'
Translation:  'Oh Brighid, spread above my head your mantle bright to guard me.'
 
Invocation (using a lit fire)
Fair Brighid, with this sacred fire I call you to my rite.
I seek your inspiration, creative, fiery bright.
Speak within me, let me know the things that I must do
To manifest the goal I seek, to make my dream come true.
Oh, Spirit of Brighid, be within me!
http://www.starcraftsob.com/craft/imbolcritual.shtml
 
Prayer I wrote to Brighid:
Brighid, sweet Maiden
Breather the breath of youth
Into my lungs
That I may perform to the best of my abilities today.
 
Brighid, caring Mother
Hold my hand and jerk my heart strings
Throughout the day
To keep my nurturing side throbbing
Let compassion radiate out of me like your eternal flame.
 
Brighid, wise Crone
Push me when I lack in courage
To fulfill my duties in life.
Keep my heart filling and my desire high
To live life to the fullest, while also knowing how to stay silent.
 
 
DIVINATION
Brighid is the goddess of all divination.  She gives us the insight and the power to foretell the future for the betterment of our community. 
 
The Arrows of Brighid Spread
 
Layout:
               1    4    7
             2      5       8
          3         6          9
 
These represent the arrow of Brighid that represent Hearth fire (1-3), Healing fire (7-8), and the fire of Inspiration (4-6).
 
Hearth Fire:  These cards reflect your current home situation and close relationships and may give advice on how to improve matters.
Fire of Inspiration: These cards reflect the sources of creative and spiritual inspiration.
Healing Fire: These cards show what needs healing and may give advice on how that healing is best obtained


Sources:

Written Sources:

1 The Mythic Images Collection. http://www.mythicimages.com/printbrigit.htm

2 Nicholson, Francine. http://geocities.com/celticwall/ejournal/imbolc/brighid.htm

3 Beith, Mary. The History of Brigit the Moon Goddess. West Highland Free Press.

4 Witches Way. http://www.witchesway.net/links/goddesses/Celtic.html

5 ADF website. http://www.adf.org/articles/gods-and-spirits/brigid.html

6 Brighid’s Fire. http://www.brighidsfire.com/

7 Brighid, Bright Goddess of the Gael. http://inanna.virtualave.net/brighid.html

8 Lansberry, Joan. ‘Brigit, The Goddess Who Would Not Die. http://www.aztriad.com/brigit.html

9 Magic of Mythology. http://www.shee- eire.com/Magic&Mythology/Gods &Goddess/ Celtic/Goddess/Brigit/Factsheet1.htm

10 K, Amber and Azrael Arynn K. ‘Musings on Candlemas and the Goddess Brigit.’ New Worlds Magazine. Issue #NW021.

11 Valentine, Lin and Goddess Vision. http://www.goddessvision.net/Brigid History.htm

12 Virtue, Doreen. Goddess Guidance Oracle Cards. ‘Brighid.’


Image Sources:

http://www.lunaea.com/goddess/creativity/bridshrine.html

http://www.crystalforest3.homestead.com/files/Brighid_Celtic_Goddess_James_Wappel_Studios.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigit's_cross

http://anamspirit.com/brigid.htm

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This page is the intellectual and creative property of Anyia Leanaun Sidhe

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