Referred to by some as the Everything Goddess,
Brigid's associations include healing,
Creativity,
Fertility and protection.
She is one of the great triple goddesses of the Celtic people.
Some say there are three Brigids,
One with dominion over poetry and inspiration,
Who invented the Oum alphabet.
Another over healing and midwifery.
And a third over the hearth fire and the blacksmith's workshops.
Brigid's name means exalted one.
She was so adored by the ancient Celtic people that the Christian church chose to grant her sainthood rather than attempt to suppress her to her followers.
A goddess of herbalism,
Midwifery and healing.
She ruled over water as well as fire,
And there are a large number of sacred wells and springs named after or dedicated to her.
One account of this is that Brigid came upon a number of peasants who were in desperate need of food and water.
To help them,
She created a magical well of water that would never run dry.
This well has since become known as the Well of Wisdom,
And many people made pilgrimages to it seeking guidance and inspiration.
Her cauldron of inspiration connected her watery healing aspect with her fiery poetic aspect.
Especially during the season of Imbolc,
There are many different ways in which we can honor the goddess Brigid,
Such as making an incense offering blend of chamomile,
Lavender,
And rosemary,
All of which are associated with healing,
Protection,
And purification.
In my personal practice,
I like to make an Imbolc candle in her honor and burn it in my cauldron.
For this I use a white chime candle,
A few drops of a carrier oil,
Such as grapeseed oil,
Salt to line the bottom of the cauldron and support the candle,
A handful of bay leaves,
Fresh rosemary sprigs,
Dried rosemary,
Lavender,
And chamomile.
I begin by holding the candle between my hands as I set my intentions.
Once I have done that,
I will dress the candle with oil and roll it in a mixture of the three herbs.
I pour enough salt into my cauldron to support the candle,
Place the candle,
And arrange the rosemary sprigs and bay leaves around it.
As I light the candle,
I say the following Brigid invocation that I wrote.
The sun's rays are growing stronger.
The earth is warming once again.
Keeper of the flame,
Blessed Brigid,
Brings renewal as we invite her in.
Bliss of healing and poetry,
Protection and wisdom we find in you.
Bless our fire,
Goddess Brigid,
As life springs forth anew.
Alternatively,
You can place the candle in a holder and on a plate and arrange the salt,
Rosemary,
And bay leaves around it.
You could then fill your cauldron with purified water to serve as a representation of Brigid's well during the season of Imbolc.
I wish you bright blessings at Imbolc and always.
