Brighid – Mother Goddess of Ireland

Brighid – Mother Goddess of Ireland – SOLD

2012 oil and collage on canvas 24″ x 48″© Jo Jayson
(click on image for larger version)

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Brighid – Mother Goddess of Ireland, (Brid,Bride,Brigid) an Irish Triple Goddess but her influence could be found in Scotland as Bride, England as Brigantia and all around western Europe. The Romans named her Minerva, Athena in Greek. Her realms were many, she was known and loved as the Goddess of Fertility and Midwifery., bringing in the ‘birthing” of spring, new life of fauna and flora and cattle. She is a sun and fire goddess similar to the Greek Vesta, bringing warmth and safety to the home and hearth, and purification and healing through the fire element similar to Pele. As well as a Sun Goddess, she also rules the Moon, the magical realms of inspiration and poetry and all kinds of crafts including smith work and weaving. Her connection so closely to the cycles and energy of nature, made her the perfect Goddess of healing and plant medicine. The Triple essence of this Goddess denotes the Maid, the Mother and the Wise One. When christianity moved its way into the pagan Ireland and celtic regions, loyalty for Brighid was so strong and present in daily life and culture, that the church chose a saint that would hold her name, essence and realm,in order to satisfy the people. The stories of the saint and the goddess were so inextricably interwoven that it is hard to disconnect them. Where once it was believed that 19 Priestesses tended to Brighid’s Eternal Flame, now in present time, 19 nuns of St Brigit tend again to the Eternal Flame at Brighid’s Healing Well in Kildare, Ireland. Brighid is believed to be the female counterpart of Lugh The Ildana, and also Archangel Michael, with her warrior and protective energy. Imbolc (meaning ‘in the belly’) or St Brigit’s day, is celebrated (Feb 1st) as a welcoming of new life and homecoming of the sun after the long winter days. Brighid can be called upon to ignite the Eternal Spark of New Life, Inspiration, Healing and Protection.