Shrine of Brighid: Lore Circle

Submitted by Treesong on 21 October 2006 - 4:30pm

Illustration by Miranda Gray, from "Celtic Gods and Celtic Goddesses" by R.J. Stewart. Click above for larger version.

Brighid Lore

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Brighid is a goddess with a long and complex history that I've only just started to explore. The following is a small sampling of what I've discovered so far. If you have any additions, corrections, or other comments, let me know!

Names
Festivals
Sacred Places
Wikipedia article on Brighid

Names

Brighid is known by many names to many people:

  • Brighid and Brigid in Ireland
  • Bridget, the Anglicized version of the Irish name
  • Brid
  • Bride in Scotland
  • Brigan
  • Brigantia
  • Breo Saighead ("the fiery arrow")
  • Berecyntia and Brigandu to the Gauls
  • Brigantis in Briton
  • Brigindo in Switzerland
  • Saint Brigid of Ireland to Catholics, who canonized her as a saint, though this status was recently revoked
  • Often said to be Danu or Dana, mother of the Tuatha de Danaan

Festivals

  • Imbolc is the Sabbat of Brighid. It's observed on February 1 or 2.
  • The Feast of Saint Brigid of Ireland is observed on February 1.

    • Sacred Places

    Cill Dara, or "Church of the Oak," is sacred to Brighid. This is the name of both a town and a county in Ireland. The Anglicized version of this place name is Kildare.

    This Shrine of Brighid is tended by Treesong.

    Brighid Statue by Dryad Design