15 goddess-womyn gathered in Phoenix on 02/02/08 to carry on the long tradition of celebrating Brigid.* The fiery spirit of the goddess was invoked as the power of womyn’s creativity was explored through a selection of Brigid's symbols. At the opening ritual a flame was lit and tended throughout the celebration. Uplifting songs and powerful stories about the goddess helped to create a memorable bond among the womyn. Homemade scones were savored with freshly brewed tea, and the womyn shared a Celtic theme potluck dinner. Monies from a fund raiser, contributions by the participants, and silent auction proceeds were donated to two organizations that support women: Planned Parenthood (local programs) and Be Bold.

* Goddess or Saint
Brigid’s Appeal Crosses Boundaries

An exploration of Celtic roots reveals a rich history, and at the heart of Celtic spirituality stands the goddess/saint Brigid/Brigit. The Celtic word “brig” means “high one” or “exalted one,” suggesting that her name’s first association was as a title, but as reverence for her spread among the Celtic peoples of early Europe she became known by many variations. Celtic tribes called her Bridget or Brigentis. She had followers in ancient Rome where she was similar to Vesta, a hearth goddess, and like Brigid, a keeper of the flame. She existed as a goddess in Scotland (Bride or Brid) in Ireland (Brighde) in Wales (Ffraid) and in England (Brigantia.) In Celtic France she was worshiped as Brigandu. In Switzerland she was known as Brigindo and Brigida in the Netherlands. Saint Brigit in Roman Catholicism was attributed to be a 5th century CE Abbess of Kildare. Like with so many Christian traditions, the saint absorbed the goddess’s attributes. However, in the 1960s, Vatican II de-canonized St. Brigit, claiming her historical existence was questionable. Yet Catholic women continue to revere St. Brigit today.

For centuries nineteen Druid priestesses tended an eternal flame in Brigid’s honor at a shrine in Kildare, Ireland where an ancient well sacred to Brigid also exists. The origin of the custom is considered to have started when women burned a ritual fire on a local hill. They invoked the goddess Brigid to protect their herds and to provide a fruitful harvest. The shrine became a convent when Ireland was Christianized. Like the priestesses before them, nineteen nuns tended the fire in rotation and on the twentieth day of the cycle, it was believed that Brigit tended it. In 1220 CE the Church took action against the practice, claiming it was Pagan, and the fire was extinguished. The fire was re-lit until the reign of Henry VIII when it was permanently quenched. In 1993, the Brigidine Sisters*, re-lit the flame in the market square at Kildare, and they have since kept the flame burning at Solas Bhride, their spiritual center. Fires and candles continue to be burned worldwide in Brigid’s honor, especially on her feast day, February 2nd.

Brigid is a complex and diverse being with a wide appeal. She inspires the poet and others in their creative endeavors. She is the patroness of the forge and the hearth. Brigid guides the hand of the midwife and the healer. She is a representative of unity and, therefore, peace.
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*In Celtic Britain, warrior queens frequently led the Brigantes tribe. Their primary deity was Brigantia