There is a rich history associated with these early days of February. Connecting with the deeper meaning and natural rhythms can provide us with sustenance in an age of hyper-speed, tech-connected disconnection.
In North America, we might recognize it as Groundhog's day, originating with German immigrants in Pennsylvania with roots in earlier European folk tradition. The story was made more famous by the funny Bill Murray movie, Groundhog's Day (1993).
Ironically, it was in that same year -- 1993 -- that the eternal flame of Brigid was re-ignited in Kildare, Ireland, home of Kildare Abbey, after being extinguished several hundred years earlier amidst religious turmoil.
Imbolc, Brigid, and Wild Bounty
As always, we find the gems of inspiration and meaning hidden in the stories. Let's take a look at the "wild bounty" available to us:
The early days of February were known to some of our ancient ancestors as Imbolc, the cross-quarter celebration marking the mid-point of our journey from the Winter Solstice to the Spring Equinox.
For the people of that time, Imbolc signified the spark of the light of Spring in the heart of Winter. And so the fire at Imbolc symbolized the returning light and the coming of Spring.
Right now, the new moon in Aquarius and the Chinese New Year (Metal Rabbit) weave their energies with Imbolc and Brigid's fest, and the themes of seed-planting and new beginnings are strongly emphasized. The Goddess Brigid offers inspiration.
The Goddess Brigid
It was also the feast of the Goddess Brigid, known by a number of names in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England.
A fire Goddess, Brigid was patroness of poets, seers, and metalsmiths; she was the heart and fire of the hearth that was the center of each home and community. She was invoked for protection in childbirth and agriculture.
As the Muse and protector of the poet-seers, we see the earlier tradition of the Feminine gifts of vision, prophecy, and divination. In her association with fire and metalcrafts, we see her earlier gifts of transformation and alchemy.
Traveling the earlier roots, we find the Goddess Brigid in the story of the Tuatha de Danaan, the Shining Ones who seem the possible source of Tolkien's elven folk and their expertise at magic and metalcrafting, and the Great Goddess Danu.
Candlemas, St. Brigid & Cill-Dara
With the arrival of Christianity, Imbolc became known as Candlemas, and was associated with the Virgin Mary emerging from her 'seclusion' after the birth of Jesus and presenting the newborn Christed One at the temple.
And in the land of Brigid, the Christian-Pagan tapestry interwove the stories of the Goddess with those of a nun and abbess known later as St. Brigid -- a powerfully inspired woman, born in the mid-fifth century, who is credited with starting several monasteries, including the famed Kildare Abbey at which the eternal flame of Brigid burned.
The name Kildare comes from Cill-Dara, which means Church of Oak and hints at an earlier Indigenous spiritual tradition centered around the Goddess Brigid.
At that time, the High Priestess symbolized the embodiment of the Goddess and the priestesses tended the flame and the great work done in Brigid's honor and name.
Later at this Kildare site, the Abbess and Saint and her nuns continued the work in the name of St. Brigid.
The contemporary Brigidine Sisters continue the tradition of St. Brigid, saying, "There is mystery at the heart of what holds us together, expressed in shared symbols, stories and experiences."
About St. Brigid, they share, "The Irish monk, Cogitosus who wrote ‘A Life of Brigid’ (Vita Brigitae) 650 AD, places great emphasis on Brigid’s faith, her healing powers, her hospitality, her generosity, her great skill with animals, and above all her compassion for the poor and the oppressed."
St. Brigid "... exercised miraculous influence over the weather, animals, and the landscape. “She stilled the rain and wind,” the final line of the Bethu Brigte, a medieval account of Brigid’s life, tells us," shares Jan Richardson, writer, artist, and Methodist minister.
As with the Goddess, St. Brigid was known for lavish generosity, sourced in her deep awareness of the abundance or "very fullness of God." This is what Jan Richardson beautifully phrases, "A habit of the wildest bounty."
The Essence & Qualities of Brigid
The name Brigid is associated with "breo-agit" or "fiery arrow", and "brihati", a Sanskrit word meaning "exalted one." Fitting for both Goddess and Saint.
Stories of both Goddess and Saint emphasize a graciousness, an abundance of Spirit, and an embodiment that extends itself into the home and the "home arts" as well as in more transcendent or community spheres. In this, Brigid recalls the Goddess Circe's magic and "habit of the wildest bounty."
She is also a courageous and fiery protector of disempowered and dispossessed, the so-called 'powerless', whether people, animals, or Nature herself. In this we see threads of Artemis and the Black Madonna.
Whether we look at the stories of the Goddess Brigid, or the Brigid-inspired Saint, we see a host of beautiful qualities that inspired and guided our ancestors, and connected them to the Divine essence that runs through all of life.
These qualities are abundantly available to us now as well. Imbolc provides the perfect reminder, the perfect opportunity for reflection that inspires these very qualities to spark anew within us and, like a flame, radiate their warmth, generosity, and wild bounty of Spirit to everyone they touch.
Light your candles, invoke the qualities of Brigid, and let your light shine!
Explore Brigid's "Wild Bounty" in the Feminine Mojo Mystery School
We'll be exploring Brigid and her cauldrons of vision and inspiration in the Feminine Mojo Mystery School this month.
We'll also be touching into the magic of Circe, Artemis, and the Black Madonna in the FMMS 2011 program, too, so join us and immerse in the magic and power of the Feminine. (Right now there's an Imbolc-Birthday special, too...you'll see the link on the FMMS page.)
Imbolc blessings & inspiration from Brigid,
Jamie
Image Credits:
Brigid's Eternal Flame and stained glass window (Brigidine Sisters); stone relief of Brigantia in the U.K.
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