Brigid, Goddess of Healing, Poetry, and Smithcraft, begins her reign on Imbolc, February 2, the midpoint between winter solstice and spring equinox. On this day the ancient Celts held their Fire Festival in honor of Brigid and the growing light. In Scotland, as recently as the mid-twentieth century, houses were cleaned and the hearth fires rekindled on February 2 to welcome in Brigid. 

Divinatory Meaning

Inspiration, creative solitude, spiritual and physical healing, new life, attention to detail, disciplined work. Be open to synchronicities.  Feel the truth of being complete within yourself.  

Her Story

She existed in many places and was known by many names. The Irish called her Brighde; she was Bride in Scotland, Brigantia in Northern Britain, and Brigandu in France. Some called her Brid, Brig or Brighid. Later she was transformed by Christianity into Saint Bridget.  Her older name was Breo Saighed. Her name has various interpretations, many relating to fire - Power, Renown, Fiery Arrow of Power, Bright Arrow, The Bright One, The Powerful One, The High One, and The Exalted One.

Before the Celts, as far back as 3000 BCE, Brigid was known as a spring and summer goddess who shared her rule with the Winter Goddess, the Cailleach. Another clue suggesting her importance to people of the Neolithic and late Stone Age is that the  massive stones which make up Stonehenge and Avebury are known as Bridestones.

As a Sun Goddess, born at the exact moment of dawn, she bears the gifts of knowledge, inspiration, and the life force and healing energy of the sun. She is complete within herself.

Brigid reigns over three aspects of life, all united by fire - inspiration, the forge, and the hearth. 

Brigid stokes the Fires of Inspiration as a poetess and a muse. She rules over poetry, learning, divination, occult knowledge, and prophecy.

Brigid stokes the Fires of the Forge as the patron Goddess of smithcrafts, blacksmiths, goldsmiths and housecrafts. She is often seen with her cauldron used to create and to renew. She may even date back to the beginnings of fired pottery.

Brigid stokes the Fires of the Hearth as a healing goddess. She reigns over medicine, spiritual healing, fertility, midwifery, inner healing, and vital energy. In this aspect she is also associated with water. She rules over sacred wells where the womb of Mother Earth opens to the light of day. 

Her sacred flame, symbolic of the creative principle, was continually tended. The fire at her shrine in Kildare, Ireland, was maintained even after the shrine became a Christian nunnery. Finally in 1220 it was extinguished by the orders of Archbishop Henry of Dublin.

Brigid was identified with the changing moon. Her sacred animals are ox, boar, ram, cow, and serpent. Her  reign begins at the time lambs are born. Bees are also sacred to Brigid. It was believed that bees originated from her Otherworld apple orchard. Small flowers and shamrocks appear in her wake. New life springs up around her.

Brigid calls you to access your inner fortitude, creative discipline, and  ability to heal and to create anew. 

The first run of Judith's deck of Celtic Goddess Oracle cards with guidebook sold out and the second run is now available.  Order your deck on Judith's website at http://judithshawart.com