She is found in many cultures under different names: Brigantia in England, Bride in Scotland and Brigandu in France. Brigid is a well known deity in Ireland and is proven to be a true goddess. This is shown from her birth, marriage to Breas, her responsibilities, symbols, stories of her healing, Imbolc traditions, arrival of the Christians and my personal feelings towards her. Brigid has been widely worshiped since the day of her birth.

Brigid was born at the moment when night and day were switching. As she rose with the sun, it is said that a flame came from her forehead. This is why she was once considered to be a sun deity. Brigid is a goddess of fire, poetry, smithcraft, healing, childbirth and water. It was Brigid who originated Ogham. Brigid is the daughter of The Dagda, the God of Great Knowledge. They are a part of the Tuatha De Danann, which is the Tribe of the Goddess Danu. She is also said to have two sisters whose names are also Brigid, who are patrons of smithcraft and healing.
Brigid was the wife of Breas and they had a son named Ruadan. Ruadan was slain by the goldsmith Govannon in revenge for wounding Goibnui with a spear. After the death of her son, Brigid received the custom of keening for the dead.

For a Goddess with many responsibilities, it is said that her sisters help her in her tasks. One of these sisters is in charge of poetry and inspiration. It was this sister who created the Ogham alphabet. The second sister rules herb crafts, healing arts and midwifery. This sister gives fertility, protects children and brings life to Earth every spring. The third sister watches over the fires in the home, smithies and other similar crafts. It is this sister that brings her spear into battle.

Brigid’s most powerful symbol, as her name implies, is fire. Her triple nature relates to the flame of life and healing, the flame of divine inspiration and the fire of the hearth. There are many ancient traditions where the hearth is related to the sun. This is a source of warmth and light, and the focus of everyday functions. As a patroness of lore she guides the flame of inspiration, divination and poetry. Whenever people went on magickal or spiritual journeys, they would ask Brigid for protection and guidance. Because of Brigid’s connection to healing, she is also connected with the waters, as is her cauldron of inspiration. This is why the Celtic countries are filled with wells and springs bearing Brigid’s name. Sacred springs were a focus for Celtic practices. It is said that spring water symbolically unites the underworld and upper world by rising out of the darkness of the Earth and shining the light of the heavens. A link between both fire and water, Brigid’s powerful symbols, is the hot spring. All springs and wells, however, remain powerful sources of inspiration, healing and bring both spiritual and physical purification.

One story of Brigid’s springs involves two lepers. They came to her to be healed and she instructed them that one must bathe the other until his skin is cleared of leprosy, then they were to switch tasks. They did so, but once the first leper was cured, he was repulsed by the disease and refused to touch his friend to bathe him. It was then that Brigid gave back the man his leprosy and cured his friend. This is a beautiful tale in which Brigid shows she has the powers to heal those who deserve healing.

In Pagan traditions, Imbolc, meaning in the womb, is the Sabbat dedicated to Brigid. This day takes place the first day of February. According to the Celtic tradition, Imbolc is the first day of spring and all animals that have been stuck inside for winter are let out. On Brigid’s Eve in parts  Ireland it was traditional for young girls, who were dressed in white or disguised, to go from house to house singing and dancing. From each house the girls would receive a gift for Brigid, which was either eggs or money. In other parts a maiden was chosen to represent Brigid. She would dress in white and wear a crown of rushes and carry Brigid’s Cross. There are many other customs that were held in Brigid’s honour on Imbolc.

When the Catholic Church arrived in Ireland, the worship of Brigid still continued, so the Church had no choice but to make her a Saint. Historical references to saint Brigid began in the seventh century. Once becoming a Saint, the Catholic Church explained that Brigid was never a goddess but an early missionary sent into Ireland. In Kildare, there was an ancient temple in which a flame was burned in Brigid’s honour. This fire was kept burning by 19 priestesses, as 19 was the number of years in the Celtic Great Year. When the Christians took over, the nuns kept the fire burning until in 1220 a certain bishop took offence at the no-male policy at the nunnery. With the support of Rome, he decreed that the flame was Pagan “wickedness” and demanded it be extinguished. Eventually, he won, but after is death, the flame was rekindled.

My feelings towards Brigid I hold close to my heart. Over the years, I have received outstanding inspiration in poetry, writing out my feelings. I also feel she has been there with me with healing energy this year. I have lost a few friends this year and I believe Brigid was with me all the way. When I see her and read her stories, it makes me feel proud and angry at the same time. I feel proud because she was able to survive the threats of the Church and how she handled all her responsibilities. I feel angry that the church would try to take away such an amazing goddess.For doing so, they truly did not know what she was about.