THE ORDER OF THE WHITE MOON GODDESS GALLERY PRESENTS

The Goddess Brigit

Triple Brigid Flame

http://www.hranajanto.com/goddessgallery/brigit.html

A Level 1 Final Project for The Sacred Three Goddess School

by Stephanie Atwood, also known as Morgan Le Fae,

Initiate of The Order of the White Moon

(© 2015. All original material in this site is under copyright protection and is the intellectual property of the author.)

The Goddess Brigit

I chose to do my project on Brigit for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I had an amazing experience in Glastonbury, England, that pulled me towards the Goddess way. I took part in a special Goddess evening at the Goddess Temple in Glastonbury, where Brigit was channeled and she provided me with a very special message to pursue what's in my heart. There was something so relatable feeling about her. So when I started doing my research on Goddesses, there are so many to choose from, I resonated so much with Brigit. The time she symbolizes, a young woman, is where I am in life and so it was easy to relate. So here is my project on the Goddess Brigit, I hope you will enjoy my research and perhaps learn as much as I did!

Brigit holding flame

http://www.emilybalivet.com/Pagan_Divinities.html

Brigit is the daughter of Dagda, the protector of the tribe, and Morrigan, another triple mother Goddess, and she is one of the Tuatha De Danann, which means people of the Goddess Danu. It is said that the Goddess Brigit was born at the exact moment of the sunrise. It is said that she rose into the sky with the sun, rays of fire beaming from her head. In Druid mythology, the infant Goddess was fed with milk from a sacred Cow from the Otherworld. Brigit owned an apple orchard in the Otherworld, and her bees would bring their magical nectar back to earth for her. Her power is manifested through bees and there are stories that Brigit helped those in need by sending her bees towards those trying to cause harm, sending them fleeing. It is also said that wherever Brigit walked, small flowers and shamrocks would appear behind her which is no surprise as she is of Irish and Celtic descent. Goddess Brigit also invented whistling, which she used to summon her friends by her side.

Brigit became the wife of Bres, an Irish King. They were from two different families, two of which had animosity between them. Brigit and Bres hoped that their union would bring the two families together, however it only started war. Brigit gave birth to three sons, all of which became famous warriors. When the war between the two families broke out, Brigit's son, Ruadon, stuck and killed the other families' son, but before he drew his last breath he struck and killed Ruadon. This sent both families into utter sadness and despair. It is said that Brigit let out a cry of sorrow so heart wrenching, everyone could hear. This event, however, unified Brigit's role as a Goddess of peace and Unity. The two families stopped fighting after this event. Eventually the love and respect for the Goddess Brigit brought unity to the Celts who were spread throughout Europe.

Brigit with sheep

http://www.paintingdreams.co.uk/image.php?name=brigid&gallery=celtic_goddess

In the Christian era, 19 nuns at Kildare tended a perpetual flame for Saint Brigit, which is widely believed to be a continuation of a pre Christian practice of women tending a flame in her honour. At her most famous shrine near Kildare, Brigit taught humans how to gather and use herbs for their healing properties. She also taught humans how to care for their animals and livestock and how to forge iron into tools. This shrine is believed to have been an ancient college of priestesses who were committed to 30 years of service, after which they were free to leave and marry. As a Goddess of childbirth and the protector of all children, she is the patroness of midwifery.

Brigit is the patroness of poetry, medicine, arts, and crafts, cattle and other livestock, sacred wells, serpents, and the arrival of early spring.

As a triple Goddess, Brigit has 3 sister selves with three very distinct roles. She is the Lady of Healing Waters, the Goddess of the Sacred Flame, and the Goddess of the fertile Earth; each has their own responsibilities.

As a fertility Goddess, a patroness of domestic animals and crops, she brings prosperity trough abundance and wealth of land, green fertile earth and remembrance of our own innate fertility to grow and prosper.

As Lady of Healing waters, many wells are believed to be blessed with the healing grace of the lady. Combining her solar light with her healing waters, the sparkling light dancing upon the water's surface is believed to have spectacular healing benefits. Also associated with divination, her wells may represent portals to see the future, windows to see helpful guidance and insight.

Goddess Brigit is also the Lady of the Sacred Flame, the eternal flame of life, the flame of inspiration, the flame of our creative consciousness. She brings warmth and light to our home. She is the Goddess of all things perceived to be of high dimensions such as high rising flames, highlands, hill forts, upland areas, as well as states of elevation, such as wisdom, excellence, perfection, high intelligence, poetic eloquence, craftsmanship, healing, Druid knowledge and vital healing of the sun. With this energy we realize our innate eternal connection to the Divine Universal Source, we realize our own inner Light. Brigit inspires, empowers and encourages us to express our Truth, through our purpose. She helps us to release our fears; self-limiting patterns and unhealed energy, helping us to feel protected through any and all aspects of self-expression and communication. Brigit is the Priestess of Her People, a devoted and steadfast guardian to all who call upon her. She shields those who call on her to protect them from harm.

Brigit holding flame in front of hearth

http://www.mickiemuellerart.com/Galleries.html

I have discovered in my research that there are many associations with Brigit, everything from colours, animals, stones, etc. and I will share all of these in the next section.

Brigit is a Goddess of Celtic and Irish mythology. She has many names and many different spellings. Here are some of her many names:

Brigit has a feast day which is February 1st or 2nd which is the mid-point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. This feast day is meant to give us hope, to remind us that Spring is coming. This feast day or festival is called Imbolc. It is a Gaelic festival.

Sculpture of triple Brigit

http://www.sacredsource.com/Triple-Brigit/productinfo/TB/#.VghDL5eAnVI