Brigid: Goddess of Fire, Poetry and Healing

Artist: doanart
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Brigid: Goddess of Fire, Poetry and Healing

As one of the most popular goddesses worshipped by the Celts, Brigid (pronounced Breed or Breet) continues to be a favorite among Christians as many of her stories and myths survived in the persona of Saint Bridgit.

She was the goddess of all things perceived to be of relatively high dimensions such as high-rising flames, highlands, hill-forts and upland areas; and of activities and states conceived as psychologically lofty and elevated, such as wisdom, excellence, perfection, high intelligence, poetic eloquence, craftsmanship (especially blacksmithing), healing ability, druidic knowledge and skill in warfare.

An object connected to the goddess called Brigid’s Cross, made of rushes or straw, and woven into a kind of star or cross shape. It was traditionally believed that a Brigid’s Cross protected the house from fire and evil. Brigid’s crosses are associated with Brigid of Kildare, who is venerated as one of the patron saints of Ireland. The crosses are traditionally made on 1 February, which in Gaelic is called Là Feille Brìde (Brigid’s feast day), the day of her liturgical celebration. I used the Whirlpool Galaxy as the reference for this painting. I found the spiraling arms of the galaxy an echo of the arms of Brigit’s Cross, and all the fiery stars being creating within the arms, an adequate representation of the different qualities of this powerful goddess.

Artwork and text © Copyright 2009 DoAn Art (Antony Galbraith). All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Antony Galbraith.

Brigid: Goddess of Fire, Poetry and Healing belongs to the following groups:

1 In The Beginning - Ancient Practices, Practising the Dark Arts, Spiritual Art and THE DIVINE FEMININE