Today is Feb. 2nd, Blessed Imbolc or Saint Bridget's Day. I already talked to you about the celebration of Imbolc along the Wheel of the Year. Today I want to talk to you about Brigit, Saint Brigid and Saint Brigid's Cross.
I know what you are thinking, that doesn't look like a cross to you but it is. This cross dates back to before Christianity. There is a story that goes with this cross I would like to share with you. Gee, bet you are surprised! The story goes Brigid of Kildare was called to the beside of her ailing Pagan Lord. It is said she was called for by the Christians in the household. When she arrived she found him delirious. Not much she could do for him but be there to console and comfort him. The floor beneath her feet was covered in rushes and straw for warmth from the cold winter months and cleanliness. It kept the dirt floor from throwing dust all around. I mean, have you ever tried to sweep a dirt floor, I think not.
Brigit stooped down and picked up some straw as she sat next to the sick, dying man. She started to weave the cross and fastening the ends as she went along. While she did this she talked quietly to him, soothing him with the gentleness of her voice. He suddenly became aware of what she was doing. He asked her about what she was making. As she explained the Cross to him the delirium quieted down. He listened with interest encouraging her to tell him more. The story goes she told him about Christ. How he was born and how he died for us all while she wove the cross. After hearing the story it is said he converted and was baptized just as he left this world.
It is believed Brigid's cross dates back to Pre-Christian times. Celtic Pagans created this cross in honor of the Goddess Brigit. It is a solar wheel made out of rushes or straw. Not an easy cross to make I can assure you but to honor the Goddess they spent time making this solar wheel by folding pieces of straw around a single shaft counter clockwise. They would then tie it off at the ends of the cross. This cross is associated with the start of spring.
There is no written record of Saint Brigid found anywhere prior to the 7th Century. But we know the cross is dated back to Celtic Pagan times. The story of Saint Brigid is as follows. Her father was a member of the tax paying class. So he was a commoner not a person of nobility. Her mother was a slave. From when she was a young woman Brigid became a consecrated virgin of Christ. She dedicated her life to the Christian service. In her hometown of Kildare, Ireland she founded a monastery and a convent. Brigid died on the same day as her birth in the year 525, at the age of 75.
Traditionally this cross is woven on the eve of St. Brigid's day and placed in the home. The old cross is then burned to keep fire from the house. The new cross is usually placed over the door to bless and protect all those who live in the house and all who enter. It is also said many homes kept the old cross in the ceiling or roof in order to be protected from fires. Think about it, these houses were made with either thatch or wood roofs. So this sounds like a good idea to me! The Solar Wheel or Brigit's Cross is believed to provide protection from fire, disease, and evil. Pagan's hung it in their home and Neo-Pagans use this cross to involk the Goddess Brigit whenever they call to her for help or are honoring her in a ritual ceremony.
As I have said before Brigit's cross in Ireland dates way before Christianity. It was to honor the Goddess Brigit daughter of Dagda. The day of her feast is known as Imbolc. Yes it is made from rushes or straw even now. It is woven with a square in the center and four radials that are tied at the ends coming from the square. The Celtic Pagans did hang this above their door to keep their home safe from fire, disease and evil. They also believed it would help their farms to flourish and their animals to produce milk, eggs, wool etc.
Brigit,has two sisters with the same name. Together they form The Triple Goddess. The Goddess of poetry, smiths, medicine, arts and crafts, cattle and other livestock and of course the Spring. She is also associated with fire of any kind. Fire for heat, warmth, light, candles and illumination.
So why do we have Saint Brigid and the Goddess Brigit? Are they one in the same? When Christianity came along the stories of Brigit and Saint Brigid became entwined. It is believed the Christians wanted to bring the Pagans into their church so what better way to do so then to incorporate The Triple Goddess to help spread the word of Jesus. They were sure this would bring the Pagans to their way of thinking and they would convert. Actually it went in reverse and instead of working in the favor of Christianity it worked in favor of the Pagans because it kept the stories of The Goddess Brigit alive and well. One of the stores tells of the Goddess Brigit as being present at the birth of Jesus. As a matter of fact it is said that she was the midwife. When it was ordered the first born male be murdered, Brigit kept Jesus safe.
Brigit/St. Brigid
By Toni Gamarro
Who is Brigit what did she do?
Was she a Goddess and a Saint too?
So many stories which way to go,
Believe whats in your heart, what you know,
Brigit was around before Christianity appeared,
She never left, disappeared,
She is always here to protect and care,
For those she loves and holds dear,
Does it matter what path you choose,
No because together Brigit and Brigid are fused,
So learn to respect her and hold her near,
Allow her to help you calm your fear,
Pray or cast whichever you choose,
Listen to the other paths point of views,
For Brigit will always be,
There to help and protect you and me,
A cross she wove from rush and straw,
Is still admired and still held in aw,
The story of Christ she is said to have told,
Must have spoke of the beauty she watched unfold,
As the child Christ was born,
To protect him she was sworn,
She walked along the path she was meant to take,
And Jesus was saved for all of our sake,
So it does not matter from where her story grew,
It matters that it made it's way to me and you,
It matters we remember, learn and listen,
Not if we are Pagan, Wiccan or Christian,
For the stories of Brigit shows us,
There is no reason to wonder or guess,
No matter what path we may walk,
Which spirituality or religion of which we may talk,
There is only one Universe, Spirit, one God,
One Almighty for which we are awed,
Brigit knew this as she walked along,
The path she believed in so strong,
So on St. Brigit's day remember all she has done,
To prove the Universe, Spirit and God are joined as the Almighty ONE!
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