Brigid is considered a Triple Goddess, yet many references distinguish Brigit differently than the traditional Triple Goddess aspects of Maiden, Mother and Crone. Rather Brigid is frequently referenced having three sister selves with three distinct roles, Lady of Healing Waters, Goddess of the Sacred Flame and Goddess of the Fertile Earth. These roles are then multiplied through Brigid’s vast and varied responsibilities, which may correspond to other Celtic Triplicities. With the introduction of Christianity to Ireland, many pagan deities were assimilated into the new faith. Brigid, being highly revered by the Celtic people, underwent a transformation from the goddess Brigid to St. Brigid, or St. Brigid of Kildare (450-520), one of Ireland’s patron saints. Brigid the pre-Celtic pagan Goddess and the Christian Saint appear to have morphed into each other over the centuries. In the legends of Brigid we cannot be sure where the Goddess ends and the Saint begins. St Brigid by Ella Ronan - Courtesy of Herstory Mullally, Una (1 February 2020). "The evolution–and disappearance–of Brigid's cross in RTÉ's logo". The Irish Times.

If you have ever been to Ireland, you will spot them in all sorts of places. Gravestones, people’s homes, doorways and even in Catholic churches. In 2018, Herstory initiated and co-produced Blazing a Trail for the Department of Foreign Affairs – it is the first women’s exhibition to tour the Irish Embassy network worldwide. Heather Terrell’s Brigid of Kildare: A Novel combined the story of St. Brigid with that of the Celtic goddess. In the novel, members of the Catholic Church attempted to cover up potential heresy regarding her origins;Since that day, and for the centuries that followed, it has been customary on the eve of her FeastDay (1st February) for the Irish people to fashion a St. Brigid's Cross of straw or rushes and place it inside the house over the door. At age 40, Brigid founded a monastery in County Kildare called the Church of the Oak. This community began as a holy nunnery but over time it became the first double abbey for both monks and nuns. You might just be wondering, “Why on earth do Irish people fashion a St. Brigid’s Cross of straw or rushes and place it inside the house over the door.?” Great question. Light some candles and keep an eye out for any confirmation such as a warm feeling, a voice or a vision during meditation or in a dream.

Two skull relics from Saint Brigid’s head can apparently be found in Ireland, including one at St. Brigid’s Church in Kilcurry, County Louth, and another in St. Brigid’s Church in Killester, County Dublin. You could adapt this, if you're doing this on your own, by calling out a welcome to Brigid when you bring in the stalks... no matter what time of day. It is also thought that Brighid is a protector of newborn children as there are stories that tell of how she leans over the cradle of every child. This story alone connects this pagan goddess to the Christian saint. Who Was St Brigid? Many of the attributes of the goddess were transferred to the saint. The Celtic festival of Imbolc was renamed St Brigid’s Day and the making and displaying of Brigid’s Crosses merged with the ‘new’ Christian celebration on February 1st. The Brigid’s Cross is a religious symbol which is usually woven from rushes. The traditional design has four arms which are tied at the end and a woven square found in the middle. St. Brigid of Kildare. Image Source: Wikipedia. Who was St. Brigid?Brigid’s crossor Brigit’s cross(Irish: Cros Bríde, Crosóg Brídeor Bogha Bríde) is a small cross usually woven from rushes. There are different variations of Brigid’s crosses. A three-stranded cross is made exactely like one with 4 sides, but you end each row after adding the third straw. There are also variations where you weave the straw in the middle and secure the ends straight. Another custom was to leave a small piece of cloth or rag outside on a bush on the eve of St Brigid's Day. The belief was it would be blessed by St Brigid overnight and be bestowed with curative properties by morning. This cloth was known as the brat Bríde (also known in places as Bratóg Bríde) and could be worn within clothing for protection, or used as a cure for headaches or toothaches. News about this conversion spread across the land, and since then, people made rush crosses to honor the occasion. February 1 became the feast day of Saint Brigid, and aside from the cross, boxty pancakes were served to celebrate this day. Brigid’s Cross Symbol Meaning