THE FIRES OF BRIGIT

By Michael McGuinness, Druid of the Fellowship

Fire, of course, has been central to the development of human society for hundreds of thousands of years. Our discovery of fire gave us more options for toolmaking, as well as a new method of food preparation, giving us greater variety in our diet.

Most importantly, perhaps, fire made the night less terrifying, allowing us to relax and deepen social bonds between members of the community. We were able to tell stories around the fire, developing mythology and oral literature. Fire, as the first step on the road to civilization, helped bring about art and culture and technology, almost like a midwife helps bring a new life into the world.

In a similar way, Brigit, the great Triple Goddess of the Irish Celts (of healing, smithcraft and poetry), is honored in the Gaelic tradition as a midwife and a foster-mother at Imbolc. Brigit helps light and life begin to return to the Earth, and encourages the livestock to give milk to their young. She has been venerated with fire from ancient times to the present, which is perfectly fitting since, linguistically, her name stems from a Celtic root meaning “bright.”

Mythologically, Brigit is first named in The Second Battle of Moytura as the wife of the half-Fomorian Bres, chosen as king of the Tuatha De Danann after Nuadu lost his hand in battle. Bres’ name also stems from another Celtic root meaning “bright” or “beautiful,” and, interestingly, it is he who is forced to reveal the secret of agriculture to the victorious Dananns after the Fomorian defeat. This relationship emphasizes Brigit’s identification with light, and also introduces a connection with the fertility of the Land.

In this same tale, a deeper human element is also introduced. Brigit, grieving for her son Ruadan who was killed in the battle, is described as the first mother in Ireland to keen and mourn for her beloved dead. This episode was surely repeated over the centuries by many grieving mothers in a land ravaged by violence and war, and created a bond of sympathy and compassion between the Goddess and her People.

These mythic and linguistic associations with fire, fertility, motherhood and compassion made the veneration of Brigit and her fire central to the Irish household, from pre-Christian times to the present.

The following are adaptations (combined with other Irish blessing formulae) of prayers to Brigit from the Carmina Gadelica, associated with the important household tasks of lighting and extinguishing (“smooring”) the household hearth.

I hope we can all deepen our connection with Brigit and all the Shining Ones, the Land and all our Ancestors, and may we all give birth to abundant blessings in the coming year.

PRAYER TO BRIGIT ON LIGHTING THE FIRE

I kindle this fire

As Brigit would kindle it

May Brigit encircle the fire

The Land and the household all

The Gods and Goddesses beside me

Brigit, my foster mother, and my Ancestors, watching over me

And at my head, the light of the sun

Light within and light without

Like a great fire

Without beginning, without time

May it always be so.

Biodh se amhlaidh.

PRAYER TO BRIGIT ON PUTTING OUT THE FIRE

I put out this fire

As Brigit would

May Brigit encircle the fire

The Land and the household all

Brigit, foster mother of the Gods, and my ancestors

Shielding and saving

Watching and surrounding

The hearth and the household all

Till bright day comes to the fire

This eve and this night

Each night and every night

Every single night

May it always be so.

Biodh se amhlaidh.

REFERENCES

Carmina Gadelica edited by Alexander Carmichael

Jones Celtic Encyclopedia (www.maryjones.us)

The Second Battle of Moytura