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Brighid, Goddess In-Between
Ages before central heating, refrigerated foods and Jesus Christ, the ancient Druidic festival of Imbolc had been celebrated by generations of wise Celtic women to mark the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. In our own time, many of us still carry on the tradition in the first week of the month: to astronomers with faith in math and science, it will occur this year on February 3rd; to Christians who observe their "cross-quarter" holiday between Christmas and Easter, February 2nd is known as Candlemas in northern latitudes and Lammas or Litha in the southern hemisphere.
In the middle of this fine old festival of new beginnings and better times is a goddess who became a saint. Known by a multitude of names, Brighid is inseparable from Imbolc and with it, from the history of Christianity. The Celtic word, Britain, pays homage to her name, as do scores of other derivations, from Brigantia and Brittany to Bridewell and Brent. Sister to faery folk, protector of animals, Brighid is the Celtic goddess of poetry ‘n’ prophecy, healing ‘n’ regeneration, and metalwork ‘n’ handcrafts. She is Muire na nGael, Mary of the Gael, Ireland's other canonized patron, said to be a contemporary and an equal of Patrick though her Celtic origins go much farther and deeper— perhaps all the more reason why the Vatican II decree in 1969 stuck her out to dry on a strangely long string of female saints "decanonised" by the Roman Catholic Church's infallible fathers, claiming they did not believe in her sanctitude or her very existence.
Two millennia earlier but in an all too similar context, their predecessors had connived to subvert Brighid's legacy for their own aims, hijacking her sacred festival and gifts to ostensibly transfer her divine power and reputation to themselves.
Nice try, guys! Brighid's fire and light were never yours to hold; she belongs to a tradition bigger than you can wrap your greedy hands or dirty minds around. I guess you can toss a stolen saint out of your official canon but you can't take the mantle off a goddess from the faery hills.
Exalted Links
- Aisling : "Sanctuary of the Gracious: Goddess Brighid, Mother of the Gael"
- Susa Morgan Black : "Brigit and the Festival of Imbolc"
- Míchealín Daugherty : "Brighid, the Sun Goddess"
- Mara Freeman : "The Wheel of the Celtic Year: Imbolc"
- Gwydion : "Brigid – The Goddess of Imbolc and Celtic Europe"
articles indicated for further reading:
· What Holiday You Wish For
· Holding Back the Waves
The Festival of Fire, it is. I aim to be celebrating it by pouring meself a
jigger of Jamiesonscup of hot tea, and toasting the goddess nearest to me.Jane, did I hear you hiccup or was it just in my imagination?
Fascinating stuff Victoria. I don’t tend to think about festivals outside of the well known ones, but it is always a pleasure to learn more about ancient and legendary herstory. Until I read this post I did not know that Brighid was where Britannia comes from, shame on me! On further reading I found out more: I did not know for example that St Bridget of St Brides Bay infamy and St Ffraid of Llansantffraid were one and the same person, even though I have been to both places, if only passing through. Whilst I have little to no experience with paganism except a fleeting interest, it is not surprising to learn once again about women being whitewashed out of the record books by the catholic church. I will surely raise a glass to herself.
On a separate but related note the “New Roman Empire” has a history of interference on these islands up to and including the present day.
Pope criticised for attack on UK Equality Bill