Imbolc is also called Candlemass, and that name is fairly self-explanatory. But in case you haven’t had your morning coffee yet, or are just a little slow in general, I’ll explain.

Imbolc is a celebration of light, we light lots of white candles to symbolize and celebrate the return of the sun and the coming spring.( more on Imbolc later) The patron Goddess of this time is Brigid, the Goddess of healing, hearth and home, and fire. She is of the Celtic pantheon and when the Christians came to Ireland she was altered in to St. Bride. She is one of the most well know Irish saints after darling Patrick and that rascal Columba. Her history is both convoluted and fascinating.

Brigid is the daughter of Dagda, the father God figure in Irish Myth. He’s the equivalent to Zeus, and Odin of other mythologies. Brigid and Dagda are part of the Tuatha De Danann, a very ancient race of Irish peoples, whom many believe started the race of Fae that inhabit the islands.

Irish Myth is full of daring battles and constant invasions by various races of mythological beings and men. The sagas are intricate and often confusing, so I’ll say no more of that here.

Many of the names of these great warriors have long since faded, but the name of Brigid remains. She is the patron of the sacred flame in Kildare and was honoured by the Druids. It is likely that her name remains in our memories because of her canonization by Catholics.

Her rebirth as a catholic saint begins in 451 in Faughart, County Louth, Ireland, where a women of Brigid’s name is born to the pagan king of Leinster and the Christian Slave Brocca, who by the way was baptized by dear St. Pat.

Her story goes that she began a priestess to the Goddess Brigid and eventually ascended to high priestess at Kildare; (Cill Dara- temple of the oak) in 468 she converted to Christianity, which explains how a pagan of such legendary quality could be canonized.

It is also because of her legendary status that much debate exists whether such a women every truly existed, or if the Goddess was converted to encourage the conversion of Irish pagans to Christianity. The other side points to her sacred relic, a portion of her skull, which was taken by Portuguese pilgrims from a shrine in Downpatrick in the 15th century and enshrined in Lumier.

Her Hagiography, a saint’s bio, states that she continually annoyed her father by always given away their food to the poor and needy. When she gave a jewel- encrusted sword to a leper it was graciously decided she was better off in a convent.

Sometime around 470 she founded a monastery for monks and nuns at Kildare. Depending on whom you talk to she either converted the pagan shrine, or built a new building nearby. She died there on the First of February 525, and that is now her sacred day, which in turn is why she has become the patron saint of Imbolc also celebrated on that day.

In pagan hearts she is the Goddess that protects homes and hearth, brings healing and good health to all who honour her and protect homes where her sacred cross hangs. Again pagan ritual and Christian belief s co-mingles as both faiths hold the symbolism of her cross as being sacred. Pagans and Christians a like make new crosses from straw, or reeds each Feb. 1, to protect their homes and bless their families.

In some pagan circles it is called the Solar Cross or the Sun Cross. Imbolc celebrates the return of the sun, so we see yet again a connection to this symbol.

Of all the Christian saints she probably the one most revered by pagans, an oddity of faith that confuses Christian and pagan a like. She is my own personal goddess, as I am both a healer and a homemaker (and a kick ass one at that, just like her). When I visited Ireland I attempted to visit her shrine at Kildare, but my bus arrived to early in the morning for the gates to be open, and left for Galway before I was able to venture inside.

A friend of mine gave me this link after reading my post. It's so cool. http://www.ordbrighideach.org...

On February first she is honoured with the lighting of candles and the making of her cross. Below are instructions for their construction, you can use straw, reeds, grasses, or pipe cleaners if you don’t have anything else, but natural materials are best.