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"ARCHETYPE" The name Brigid comes from the Gaelic words "Breo- saighead" which means "fiery arrow". Brigid is most of the time symbolized by fire and water. She is said to be a triple Goddess of poetry/inspiration, smithcraft and healing. Her most famous shrine is located in Kildare, Ireland. Her further features are the result of a "chaos" which mainly developped in the last three milleniums since it was highly necessary to integrate such a powerful deity in the modern world: mother, protector of new-born babies, symbolized by grain, hearth (which is said to burn in every "woman's heart" ;-) ), canonized as Saint Bridget (foster mother to Jesus, since she could not take Mary's place), virgin, spring maiden, prophetess, daughter of Dagda "The Good God" and married with Bres, mother of three sons: Ruadan, Iuchar and Uar, early missionary sent to Ireland according to the Catholic Church and so on. Illustrations often shows Brigid as three sisters. Thus each "Brigid" would have her own function: healer, poet and smith. Brigid has many names according to the different cultures. She is also called Bride, Brighid, Brigantia, Bridget, Briggidda, Brigandu, Bridey, but also Ceridwen or Minerva. Since Brigid has been smiling all the time as I was writing this, I guess it is now high time to tidy up this mess. |
THE FACTS On one hand it is easy to notice that limiting Brigid's abilities to water and fire is nothing but the result of blindness. On the other hand, like all very powerful Goddesses who are much older than Gods it is pure nonsense to relate her to Dagda or any other male God in order to make her useful. Genuine OLD Goddesses do NOT need males to deserve any value. They ARE. And that is enough. If we refer to some relevant informations from the past Brigid is particularly associated with the numbers 19 and 20 (search for details about the Kildare Altar). According to the Old Traditions these numbers confirm Brigid's nature as Sun Goddess as well as Creator (also a life keeper = healer). Within her old name she wears the attributes of punishment and divine justice. She is the Goddess of transition between two worlds thus called "Lady of Shores"; she creates new shapes and exists out of time as an omnipresent Deity since her differents aspects are not determined by age /time spans but abilities or crafts. As Matron of Imbolc Brigid has kept these main characters: she helps to start something new, to create and give birth to new projects. Nevertheless this brief report will remain senseless and useless if you do not meditate on this wide subject by yourself. |
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