Description

Brigid’s Fire Candle Inspiration-

I am She that is the natural mother of all things,

mistress and governess of all the elements,

the initial progeny of worlds, chief of the powers divine,

Queen of all that are in the otherworld,

the principal of them that dwell above,

manifested alone and under one form

of all the Gods and Goddesses.

~ Lucius Apuleius

Perhaps one of the most complex and contradictory Goddesses of the Celtic pantheon, Brigid can be seen as the most powerful religious figure in all of Irish history. Many layers of separate traditions have intertwined, making her story and impact complicated but allowing her to move so effortlessly down through the centuries. She has succeeded in travelling intact through generations, fulfilling different roles in different times.

She was, and continues to be, known by many names. Referred to as Bride, Bridey, Brighid, Brigit, Briggidda, Brigantia. There are also many variations on pronunciation, all of them correct, it just depends on preference of your geographic location.

Brigid is the traditional patroness of healing, poetry and smithcraft, which are all practical and inspired wisdom. As a solar deity her attributes are light, inspiration and all skills associated with fire. Although she might not be identified with the physical Sun, She is certainly the benefactress of inner healing and vital energy. Brigit is also the Goddess of physicians and healing, divination and prophecy.

Legend says that when She was born, a tower of flame reached from the top of her head to the heavens. Her birth, which took place at sunrise, is said to have given the family house the appearance of being on fire. And so, the household fire is sacred to Brigid. Each evening the woman of the household would smoor the fire, (cover it over to keep the fire overnight), asking for the protection of Brigid on all its occupants.  The word ‘smoor’ is Scottish slang from the nineteenth century possibly derived from a Scots Gaelic word.

Brigid awaits . . .

Brigid awaits, Her spirit is softly calling to us, in the trees, in the grasses, in the hills and fields, alive in many realms, present in all Nature’s places. Brigid awaits, present in the world around us. Her mighty gifts of vision, insight, healing and craft grow stronger when we acknowledge their power. Brigid awaits, dancing in the candle flame and hearth fire forging truth, justice, healing, and beauty on Her sacred anvil our dreams flow and nourish us, like Her sacred waters, Brigid awaits each of us, in our own heart.

It seemed fitting to make the first in my new series of candles in her honor.