Brigid: Celtic Goddess Of Fire

Brigid, the Celtic goddess of fire (the forge and the hearth), poetry, healing, childbirth, and unity, is celebrated in many European countries. She is known by many names, including that of Saint Brigid, who is, perhaps, the most powerful religious figure in Irish history.

​The goddess Brigid was also revered as the Irish goddess of poetry and song. Known for her hospitality to poets, musicians, and scholars, she is known as the Irish muse of poetry.

​Born at the exact moment of daybreak, Brigid rose into the sky with the sun, rays of fire beaming from her head. She was the daughter of Dagda, the great ‘father-god’ of Ireland.

​In Druid mythology, the infant goddess was fed with milk from a sacred cow from the Otherworld. Brigid owned an apple orchard in the Otherworld, and her bees would bring their magical nectar back to earth.

​It is said that wherever she walked, small flowers and shamrocks would appear. As a sun goddess, her gifts are light (knowledge), inspiration, and the vital and healing energy of the sun.

A Marriage To End The War

Brigid bride
John Duncan (1866-1945), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

​Brigid became the wife of Bres, an Irish king. Together they had three sons, and each of them became a famous warrior. Brigid and her husband came from two warring tribes and hoped their marriage would end the enmity between their kin.

​That however, did not happen. But, as it turns out, the battlefield death of their son Ruadan assured Brigid’s role as a goddess of peace and unity.

​A major battle between the two families was about to begin.

Death Takes The Beloved Son

​Brigid’s eldest son, using the knowledge of metalsmithing that he had learned from his mother, struck the first blow, killing the smith of the opposing army.  But as the warrior fell to the ground, he managed one last blow before he died, and Ruadan was also killed.

​Brigid’s grief was enormous for the continual hatred between the two sides of her family and for the death of her son. Her lamentations were so loud they were heard throughout Ireland and so heart-rending that both sides left the battle and forged peace. The goddess Brigid is said to have originated the practice of “keening.”

​She is also credited with the invention of whistling, which she used to summon her friends to her side.

The War Is Over

​Eventually, the love and respect for the goddess Brigid brought unity to the Celts, who were spread throughout Europe. Regardless of their differences, they all agreed upon her goodness and compassion.

The Story Of Two Lepers

​One of the most popular tales of the goddess Brigid involved two lepers who appeared at her sacred well at Kildare and asked to be healed. She told them that they were to bathe each other until the skin healed.

​After the first one was healed, he felt only revulsion for the other and would not touch him to bathe him. Angered, Brigid caused his leprosy to return. Then she gently placed her mantle (cloak) around the other leper, who was immediately healed.

Traditions Related to Brigid

​Ireland is full of springs and wells named after the goddess Brigid. Symbolically, water is seen as a portal to the Otherworld and as a source of wisdom and healing.

​There is a saying that Brigid rewards any offering to her, so coin offerings were often tossed into her wellls. The forerunner of the modern custom of throwing a penny into a fountain while you make a wish.

Brigid Shrines

​At her most famous shrine, Brigid taught humans how to gather and use herbs for their healing properties, how to care for their livestock, and how to forge iron into tools. As a goddess of childbirth and protector of all children, she is the patroness of midwifery.

​This shrine, near Kildare, was located near an ancient Oak that was considered to be sacred by the Druids. In fact it was seen as so sacred that no one was allowed to bring a weapon there.

​The shrine is believed to have been an ancient college of priestesses who were committed to thirty years of service, after which they were free to leave and marry.

​During their first ten years, they received training. The next ten were spent tending the sacred wells, groves, and hills of the goddess Brigid, and the last decade was spent teaching others.

​Nineteen priestesses were assigned to tend the perpetual flame of the sacred fire of Brigid. Each was assigned to keep the flames alive for one day. On the twentieth day, the goddess Brigid herself kept the fire burning brightly.

Christianity

The Christian monastery eventually built upon the site of her sacred shrine continued this tradition. It became known as a great European center of learning and culture. Indeed, it was instrumental in preserving much ancient learning and literature during the Dark Ages. 

The Feast Day of Brigid, known as Imbolc, is celebrated at the start of February, midway through the winter. Like the goddess herself, it is meant to give us hope, to remind us that spring is finally on its way.

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Legacy

Brigid legacy
Patrick Joseph Tuohy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The lessons of this complex and widely beloved goddess are many. Brigid lends us her creativity and inspiration but also reminds us to keep our traditions alive and whole. These are gifts that can sustain us through any circumstance. Her fire is the spark of life.

Brigid Symbols

The goddess Brigid is often represented by symbols associated with light and farm animals. It is not surprising that many of our icons representing compassion and inspiration are derived from the ancient goddess symbols of Brigid. 

General

As a goddess of fire, it is logical that Brigid is often symbolized by fire, sparks, sudden flames, a hearth, a forge, light, and candles. Since the beginning of human civilization, fire has represented warmth, safety, and home, concepts that are closely related to Brigid.

Her other symbols include sunrise, springs and wells, poetry, whistling, embroidery, arrows, bells, thresholds and doorways, sandstone rock formations, bells, St. Brigid’s cross, cloak, midwifery, middle of winter (Imbolc), corn dolls, and the number 19.

Animals

Lambs and ewes are the most common animal symbols of Brigid. They symbolize innocence, peace, compassion, purity, and a sense of community, and Brigid certainly possesses these qualities.

Her other animal symbols are dairy cows, bees, owls, serpents (especially two that are entwined), and all hibernating animals (ex., snakes, badgers, groundhogs).

Plants

Dandelion is the sacred flower of Brigid. Its bright yellow-colored petals symbolize the sun, another symbol of Brigid. When the dandelion petals turn into white seeds, they represent Brigid’s sorrows and tragedy. 

Her other plant symbols include snowdrops, crocus, trillium, acorns and oak tree, corn, oats, sage, pumpkin seeds, heather, chamomile, broom, shamrock, rushes, straw, and all field flowers.

Perfumes/Scents

Brigid’s perfumes and scents are: heather, wisteria, violet, lavender, lemon verbena, and heliotrope.

Goddess Jewelry

There are many reasons why you might want to keep a healing crystal or stone close to you. Getting closer to your goddess by wearing her color or crystal is a great one. That they also look great as jewelry only makes it so much better!

Here is a guide to crystal jewelry you hopefully will find helpful. In it is a list of 30+ crystals and links to some really great looking jewelry with that crystal or stone. Enjoy!

Gems and Metals

Naturally, as the goddess of fire, Brigid is most often associated with gold. Gold is a symbol of power and royalty, but it is also a symbol of generosity, compassion, and endurance.

Other gems and metals that symbolize Brigid are brass, silver, carnelian, agate, copper, amethyst and red jasper.

Colors

Brigid’s color is definitely white, symbolizing purity, innocence, grace, and peacefulness. Other colors that perfectly symbolize Brigid’s role as the goddess of fire are yellow and red. When the fire burns out, everything remains charred black.

Embracing the Call of Brigid: Recognizing Her Presence and Cultivating a Sacred Connection

Have you ever felt an affinity for creativity, healing, or the hearth and wondered if there’s a deeper connection? For many spiritual seekers, the Celtic goddess Brigid may be extending an invitation to connect. Discover how to recognize her calling, invoke her presence, and finally cultivate a meaningful relationship with this powerful Celtic deity.

How to know if Brigid is calling you

Recognizing Brigid’s call may occur through creative endeavors, healing experiences, or moments of warmth and nurturing. Pay attention to any signs that point to her influence, such as an increased interest in Celtic mythology or the sudden appearance of her symbols.

Dreams and visions are another way Brigid may reach out. Dreams featuring her or her symbols, like fire, wells, or blacksmith tools, can be significant. Similarly, visions of flames or warm light might signal her presence.

Lastly, watch for synchronicities in your life. Repeated encounters with her symbols or a strong attraction to her stories and mythology can indicate that Brigid is calling you. These patterns may seem coincidental but are worth noting.

Invoking Brigid

To call upon Brigid, create a warm and welcoming space, indoors or outdoors. Incorporate her symbols, such as fire, water, or images of her, into your chosen area. This will help establish a connection with the goddess.

During your ritual, light candles, particularly red or white, representing her connection to fire and healing. Offer symbols of Brigid, such as flowers, tokens, or written intentions. These offerings demonstrate your dedication and respect for her.

In meditation, focus on your breath and clear your mind. Visualize Brigid, her symbols, and the energy she embodies. Quietly ask for her guidance, and be open to any insights that may arise during your meditation.

Signs that Brigid is present

Recognizing when Brigid is with you is crucial to deepening your connection with her. The goddess often manifests her presence in various ways, from emotional sensations to visual cues. Here are six signs to help you identify when Brigid is near:

  • Emotional sensations: Feelings of warmth, creativity, or healing can indicate her presence.
  • Physical reactions: Warmth radiating from your body or tingling sensations may signal she’s near.
  • Visual cues: Flickering flames, glimmers of light, or glimpses of her symbols can be signs.
  • Auditory cues: Hearing whispers, crackling fire, or water sounds may suggest her presence.
  • Nature occurrences: Unusual encounters with fire or water, or finding her symbols in nature, can be a signal.
  • Intuitive connection: A strong sense that Brigid is with you, even if you can’t pinpoint why, can be a sign of her presence.

Emotional sensations: Feelings of warmth, creativity, or healing can indicate her presence.

Physical reactions: Warmth radiating from your body or tingling sensations may signal she’s near.

Visual cues: Flickering flames, glimmers of light, or glimpses of her symbols can be signs.

Auditory cues: Hearing whispers, crackling fire, or water sounds may suggest her presence.

Nature occurrences: Unusual encounters with fire or water, or finding her symbols in nature, can be a signal.

Intuitive connection: A strong sense that Brigid is with you, even if you can’t pinpoint why, can be a sign of her presence.

Cultivating a relationship with Brigid

To build a deeper connection with Brigid, establish a consistent practice of meditation, prayer, or ritual to honor her. Make regular offerings, such as during Imbolc, a Celtic festival dedicated to her, to demonstrate your commitment to the goddess.

Embrace her values by nurturing creativity, healing, and warmth in your life. Protect and honor the sacred elements of fire and water, as these aspects are central to her being. Moreover, aligning your life with her principles will help deepen your connection to her.

Finally, study her mythology and history. Read about Brigid and her place in Celtic mythology, and engage with others who share your interest. By exchanging insights and experiences, you’ll develop a richer understanding of the goddess and strengthen your bond with her.

Other Celtic Goddesses

If you enjoyed reading about Brigid, you should check out the other Celtic goddesses we have also written about.

You can find the complete list of world goddesses sorted across regions and religions here.

Featured Image Credit: Lorenzo Lotto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Liz Turnbull

Sharon and Elizabeth Turnbull, mother and daughter team and the website's midwives, had over 45 years of combined work and continuous study in psychology when they decided to create the Goddess Quiz and goddessgift.com. In 2001, we launched our mission to provide visitors with tools for personal insight, self-knowledge, inspiration, and refinement. Sharon, the bestselling author of Goddess Gift (a book about finding the goddess in yourself) worked as a senior partner in a consulting firm, a speaker at seminars and conferences, and as a professor and administrator at four universities during an academic career that spanned over three decades. Liz is also a published author who works as a healthcare provider, an instructor in communication skills for healthcare providers, and leads workshops on multiple subjects including health/healing, communication, and personal growth. It is our greatest hope that our gift may help the Sacred Feminine within and all around us thrive and bless us all with Her Gifts.