{"id":10743,"date":"2015-02-01T01:10:12","date_gmt":"2015-02-01T06:10:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/content\/?p=11137"},"modified":"2015-02-03T19:32:25","modified_gmt":"2015-02-04T00:32:25","slug":"she-who-is-all-the-goddess-of-ten-thousand-names-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2015\/02\/01\/she-who-is-all-the-goddess-of-ten-thousand-names-2\/","title":{"rendered":"She Who Is All \u2013 The Goddess of Ten Thousand Names"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brigid<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"brigid\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

As I sit here writing this column, it is only a handful of days until Imbolc, which makes it easy to choose Brigid as this month\u2019s Goddess.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She is known today, by many, as St. Bridget of the Christian church.\u00a0 Oh, but she was and is so much more.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Brigit, pronounced \u201cBreed\u201d started at a triple goddess in Ireland and surrounding areas.\u00a0 In England, she was known as Brigantia; in Scotland, Bride; in Celtic France, Brigandu.\u00a0 Her name means \u201cbright one\u201d or \u201cbright arrow\u201d.\u00a0 A great flame went out from her head and into the sky on the day of Her birth.\u00a0 This flame, tended at a sacred shrine in Kildare by 19 maiden women, named the Daughters of the Flame, perpetually burned; and, it was said that it was tended by Brigit, herself, on the 20th day.\u00a0\u00a0 This flame was looked on only by women so that its\u2019 purity would be always protected.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As a triple goddess, Her aspects are linked by both fire and water.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Brigit is the Keeper of the flame, and is credited with the invention of smithcraft, She is the Goddess of the forge and of the Hearth in each home.\u00a0 She is the Poetess, the Goddess of storytelling and inspiration.\u00a0 She brings wisdom and guidance as the Goddess of prophecy and divination.\u00a0 She is a nurturer, the bringer of children as a mid-wife.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She is a Goddess of healing and well-being.\u00a0 Numerous healing wells are dedicated to her, many in the surrounding areas of Kildare.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"brigid2\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As Christianity conquered the pagan people of old, the church found that Brigit was so loved and so revered, that they could not eradicate her worship.\u00a0 As they did with so many of of our ancient deities and customs, they co-opted her into the church, transforming her into St. Bridget, claiming that she was a Druid\u2019s daughter and baptized by St. Patrick, he who allegedly drove the snakes (pagans) from Ireland.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Her sacred flames burned until 1220, when a Norman Bishop, angered by the fact that men were not allowed into the presence of the sacred flame, forced his way in with his men and had the flame put out, using its\u2019 pagan beginnings as his reasoning.\u00a0 The flame was re-lit in 1993; it is now maintained by the Sisters of Bridget.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Goddess Brigid has many symbols \u2014 the forge, the hearth, the wheel, the crossroads, which represent transformation, as they stand between light and dark.\u00a0\u00a0 There is also Brigid\u2019s cross, which is said to bring good luck and to protect a home from fire.\u00a0\u00a0 There are many websites that can help you with instructions on how to make your own Brigid\u2019s cross.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"brigid3\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Brigid is celebrated on Imbolc, February 1st, which is a time of purification and cleansing.\u00a0\u00a0 With her two opposite symbols of fire and water, it reminds us to always maintain a balance within our lives.\u00a0 This is a time of transformation, and new beginnings.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To celebrate Brigid, one of the first things that should be done is to set up your Imbolc altar.\u00a0 No matter the amount of space that you have available, a beautiful altar is yours for the making.\u00a0 A statue of Brigid is a lovely addition to the altar, as are candles (for the symbol of fire), and chalices, (for the symbol of water).\u00a0 Any spring-blooming plants would be appropriate.\u00a0 Of course, your Brigid\u2019s cross, if you have made one, would be perfect.\u00a0 (The opening photo is the beginnings of my own Brigid\/Imbolc altar.)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Before your ritual, knowing that this is a celebration of purification and cleansing, you should bath first with a mixture of sea salt, epsom salt, baking soda and lavender oil.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There are many rituals surrounding both Brigid and Imbolc.\u00a0 This is the perfect time to re-dedicate yourself to your path.\u00a0 For other ideas,\u00a0 please check out:\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/paganwiccan.about.com\/od\/imbolcfebruary2\/a\/AllAbout_Imbolc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIRISH PRAYER TO BRIGID\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Brigid, gold-red woman<\/em><\/p>\n

Brigid, flame and honeycomb<\/em><\/p>\n

Brigid, sun of womanhood<\/em><\/p>\n

Brigid, lead me home<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

You are a branch in blossom<\/em><\/p>\n

You are a sheltering dome<\/em><\/p>\n

You are my bright precious freedom<\/em><\/p>\n

Brigid, lead me home<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As always, I can be reached at ShaktiWarriorSpirit@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I wish you all a very blessed Imbolc and may Brigid watch over you.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Resources<\/strong><\/span>:\u00a0 The New Book of Goddesses and Heroines by Patricia Monaghan<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ancient Mirrors of Womanhood by Merlin Stone<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gathering for Goddess by B. Melusine Mihaltses<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Goddess Companion by Patricia Monaghan<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/paganwiccan.about.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Brigid As I sit here writing this column, it is only a handful of days until Imbolc, which makes it easy to choose Brigid as this month\u2019s Goddess.   She is known today, by many, as St. Bridget of the Christian church.\u00a0 Oh, but she was and is so much more.   Brigit, pronounced \u201cBreed\u201d started at a triple goddess in Ireland and surrounding areas.\u00a0 In England, she was known as Brigantia; in Scotland, Bride; in Celtic France, Brigandu.\u00a0 Her name means \u201cbright one\u201d or \u201cbright arrow\u201d.\u00a0 A great flame went out from her head and into the sky on the day of Her birth.\u00a0 This flame, tended at a sacred shrine in Kildare by 19 maiden women, named the Daughters of the Flame, perpetually burned; and, it was said that it was tended by Brigit, herself, on the 20th day.\u00a0\u00a0 This flame was looked on only by women so that its\u2019 purity would be always protected.   As a triple goddess, Her aspects are linked by both fire and water.   Brigit is the Keeper of the flame, and is credited with the invention of smithcraft, She is the Goddess of the forge and of the Hearth in each home.\u00a0 She is the Poetess, the Goddess of storytelling and inspiration.\u00a0 She brings wisdom and guidance as the Goddess of prophecy and divination.\u00a0 She is a nurturer, the bringer of children as a mid-wife.   She is a Goddess of healing and well-being.\u00a0 Numerous healing wells are dedicated to her, many in the surrounding areas of Kildare.         As Christianity conquered the pagan people of old, the church found that Brigit was so loved and so revered, that they could not eradicate her worship.\u00a0 As they did with so many of of our ancient deities and customs, they co-opted her into the church, transforming her into St. Bridget, claiming that she was a Druid\u2019s daughter and baptized by St. Patrick, he who allegedly drove the snakes (pagans) from Ireland.   Her sacred flames burned until 1220, when a Norman Bishop, angered by the fact that men were not allowed into the presence of the sacred flame, forced his way in with his men and had the flame put out, using its\u2019 pagan beginnings as his reasoning.\u00a0 The flame was re-lit in 1993; it is now maintained by the Sisters of Bridget.   The Goddess Brigid has many symbols \u2014 the forge, the hearth, the wheel, the crossroads, which represent transformation, as they stand between light and dark.\u00a0\u00a0 There is also Brigid\u2019s cross, which is said to bring good luck and to protect a home from fire.\u00a0\u00a0 There are many websites that can help you with instructions on how to make your own Brigid\u2019s cross.       Brigid is celebrated on Imbolc, February 1st, which is a time of purification and cleansing.\u00a0\u00a0 With her two opposite symbols of fire and water, it reminds us to always maintain a balance within our lives.\u00a0 This is a time of transformation, and new beginnings.   To celebrate Brigid, one of the first things that should be done is to set up your Imbolc altar.\u00a0 No matter the amount of space that you have available, a beautiful altar is yours for the making.\u00a0 A statue of Brigid is a lovely addition to the altar, as are candles (for the symbol of fire), and chalices, (for the symbol of water).\u00a0 Any spring-blooming plants would be appropriate.\u00a0 Of course, your Brigid\u2019s cross, if you have made one, would be perfect.\u00a0 (The opening photo is the beginnings of my own Brigid\/Imbolc altar.)   Before your ritual, knowing that this is a celebration of purification and cleansing, you should bath first with a mixture of sea salt, epsom salt, baking soda and lavender oil.       There are many rituals surrounding both Brigid and Imbolc.\u00a0 This is the perfect time to re-dedicate yourself to your path.\u00a0 For other ideas,\u00a0 please check out:\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/paganwiccan.about.com\/od\/imbolcfebruary2\/a\/AllAbout_Imbolc.htm     \u201cIRISH PRAYER TO BRIGID\u201d \u00a0 Brigid, gold-red woman Brigid, flame and honeycomb Brigid, sun of womanhood Brigid, lead me home \u00a0 You are a branch in blossom You are a sheltering dome You are my bright precious freedom Brigid, lead me home       As always, I can be reached at ShaktiWarriorSpirit@gmail.com   I wish you all a very blessed Imbolc and may Brigid watch over you.   Resources:\u00a0 The New Book of Goddesses and Heroines by Patricia Monaghan \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ancient Mirrors of Womanhood by Merlin Stone \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gathering for Goddess by B. Melusine Mihaltses \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Goddess Companion by Patricia Monaghan \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/paganwiccan.about.com  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":212,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10743","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10743","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/212"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10743"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10743\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10371,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10743\/revisions\/10371"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10743"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10743"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10743"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}