Many of the pagan deities from the ancient world are not much more than stories today. Monotheism is more prominent in our local culture than ancient polytheism. However, in some parts of the world, superstitions and old world legends live on. One particularly enchanted place is Ireland. There are many pagan holidays still celebrated, and one is in celebration of a goddess and a saint. Brigid is a Celtic goddess who was “syncretized” with a woman who became a saint of the same name, and her festival is still celebrated on the 1st of February (Berger).
Brigid as a goddess is the goddess of many things, including: healing, smith craft, poetry, fire, energy, fertility, among others (Williment). The fire goddess’s holiday is a pagan tradition to celebrate the the arrival of Spring and it’s warmer days, called Imbolc…show more content… Some say her winter prison is the mountain, Ben Nevis. Before the fire of the sun can warm the earth again Bride has to be freed. So a spell is cast borrowing three days from the heat of August. As Bride walks free light fills the earth and the land turns green again.” (Williment)
Practices often associated with her celebration is to create a little doll of corn and dress it up with ribbon and baubles (Sullivan). This doll is laid in a bed and the women of the house stay up all night January 31st taking care of it (Sullivan). Men visit later, and treat the women and doll with respect (Sullivan). There is also a piece of cloth laid outside for Brigid, who walks the Earth this night, to bless and coals are smothered to have proof of her passage (Sullivan). If there is a sign that she has passed, the cloth is thought to have healing properties. Saint Brigid is said to be the daughter of a nobleman and slave, and was known for her beauty (“Brigid Of Ireland, Saint”). Her father tried to arrange a marriage for her and she objected, but due to her piety she was allowed to enter a convent
