The worshiping traditions of Brigid, both the Irish Saint and the Celtic goddess, and their relationship

Brigid of Kildare, Ireland, is uniquely venerated as both a goddess and a saint throughout Ireland, Europe and the USA. Often referred to as Mary of the Gael and considered the second most important saint in Ireland after St Patrick, her widespread popularity has led to the creation of more traditional activities than any other saint; some of which survive to this day. As a result of original historical and archaeological research Brian Wright provides a fascinating insight into this unique and mysterious figure. This book uncovers for the first time when and by whom the goddess was 'conceived' and evidence that St Brigid was a real person. It also explains how she 'became' a saint, her historical links with the unification of Ireland under a High King in the first century and discusses in depth her first documented visit to England in AD 488. Today, Brigid remains strongly connected with the fertility of crops, animals and humans and is celebrated throughout the world via the continuation of customs, ceremonies and relics with origins dating back to pre-Christian times. Using a combination of early Celtic history, archaeology, tradition and folklore from Ireland, Britain and other countries, this comprehensive study unravels the mystery of a goddess and saint previously complicated by the passage of time.

Imbolc—also known as Brigid's Day—is a time to awaken from our months of introspection and start making plans for the future. This guide to the history and modern celebration of Imbolc shows you how to perform rituals and magic to celebrate and work with the energy of the re-awakening earth. Rituals Recipes Lore Spells Divination Crafts Correspondences Invocations Prayers Meditations Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials explore the old and new ways of celebrating the seasonal rites that are the cornerstones of the witch's year.

This book is a wide-ranging exposition on all things Brigid, the most popular figure in Celtic mythology and religion. It includes: A brief history of the Celts and their religion.Everything that is known about Brigid from her manifestations as a Celtic pagan goddess, as a Celtic Christian saint, and as a Caribbean Voodoo deity.A practical approach for witches and neo-pagans that enables them to tap into the healing power of the pagan goddess. Each chapter ends with guided meditations and exercises. A book of magical practice. Included are Brigid-focused spells, blessings, recipes, and rituals for love, harmony, protection, and much more. Chapters include Brigid’s often-obscure mythology; Brigid the Healer; Brigid the Bard; Brigid the Fire Goddess; Brigid and Animals; and Brigid in the Now. This is a book for witches and pagans and for those interested in the divine feminine.

This is a handbook of essentially Wiccan guided Pathworkings - that are centred on the Goddess Brigid as the goddess of illumination and transformation. These link each of the 8 Wiccan Sabbats to the notion of Alchemy and external and internal change. Also provided are framework for creating an offering of words and a spiritual tool to begin the ritual moment and create the correct mind-set. Included is a means of magickal protection to accompany these ritual ideas, known as The Goddess Brigid Internal Power Charge.

Despite being the female patron saint of Ireland and one of the most remarkable women in Irish history, St. Brigid has always been an elusive figure. Some scholars have argued that she never existed as a real person but was merely the Christian personification of the cult of a pagan goddess of the same name. This book reviews all the evidence-history, legend and folklore-and concludes that while she has many of the attributes of the goddess Brigit, she was certainly a real person. The book also reviews her cult and veneration in Ireland and overseas, from her lifetime down to the present day, as attested by place-names, holy wells, and folklore, and also by the large numbers of churches (Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland), schools, and GAA clubs dedicated to her. [Subject: Irish Studies, Irish Saints, Folklore, Myth & Legend, Christianity, History]

Do you know what a Brideóg is? What could you cure if you licked a lizard nine times? Why is Whit Sunday the unluckiest day of the year? From the author of The Irish Cottage comes a new book, exploring old Irish customs and beliefs. Chapters focus on the quarter-day festivities that marked the commencement of each season: ‘Spring: Imbolc’; ‘Summer: Bealtaine’; ‘Autumn: Lughnasa’ and ‘Winter: Samhain’, and also major life events – ‘Births, Marriages and Death Customs’ – and general beliefs in ‘Spirituality and Well-Being’ and ‘The Supernatural’. Focusing on the period from the mid-nineteenth to the mid-twentieth centuries, Irish Customs and Rituals discusses a time during which many of the practices and beliefs in question went into decline. Many of these customs were rooted in residual pre-Christian beliefs that ran parallel to, and in spite of, conventional religion practised in the country. Some customs were so deep-rooted that despite continued disapproval from the Roman Catholic Church they remain with us today. It is wonderful to see so many traditions still with us, as many are worthwhile remembering, commemorating, or even reviving today. Irish Customs and Rituals will appeal to all those with an interest in Irish history, folklore, culture and social history. Marion McGarry is the author of The Irish Cottage: History, Culture and Design (2017). She has a PhD in Architectural History and an MA in History of Art and Design and is currently a lecturer at Galway–Mayo Institute of Technology. She frequently writes articles about Irish social history and customs.