Brigit’s Altar
Ancient Ireland was a land filled with gods and goddesses. One of the most revered was Brigit, who was associated with the gifts of poetry, healing, nurture, fertility, fire, and smiths. The Christian Saint Brigit inherited many of the Pagan Goddesses traits. It is now accepted that both the Pagan and the Christian Brigit are so interwoven that it is pointless to try and separate them. So it is that the two Brigits meet and converge at the overlap of the two worlds. Brigit’s feast day is February 1st, Imbolc, a major feast in the Celtic year. This is also known as Candlemas Day when candles were blessed by the Saint. Brigit’s church was built in a traditional druid’s oak grove.
Elements to include on Brigit’s Altar:
—White candle: The sacred flame of Brigit continues to burn in the monastery in Kildare, Cill Dara, ‘The Church of the Oaks’, in Ireland. Before that it burned for the Goddess Brigit and was tended by 19 priestesses, each of whom looked after the flame for a day, then on the 20th day, Brigit herself tended the flame. Today one of the Sisters of the Solas Bhride Community tends the sacred flame. A white candle should be dedicated specifically to the Saint and kept on her altar. White is the main colour associated with Brigit because it is the colour of her sacred food, milk; also a symbol of purity.
—Brigit’s Cross: Design based on an ancient sun symbol. It is woven from dried grasses. Many Irish homes still hang a Brigit’s Cross over the threshold into the kitchen, the heart and hearth of the home. (We have one in our home as a reminder to seek Brigit’s protection.)
—Bowl of water: To signify Brigit’s sacred cauldron filled with healing herbs.
—Anvil, or other metal smith’s tool: Symbol of the patroness of blacksmiths. Smiths work with metal, water, fire and air, making them the alchemists of the elements.
—A white snake: A serpent token, a healing symbol, supposed to emerge from the hollows on the morning of St Brigit’s day.
—Prayer beads or necklace with 19 milk-white beads or stones.
—Symbol of her mantle which was a healing cloak. It is said that she once hung her mantle on a beam of sunlight.
Very informative. I learn something new everytime I sign on.
Your posts are always fascinating!
You really are on the way to being a fully fledged High Priestess Edith. This is a wonderful post. I have some material on Bridgit which I must post.