Spiritual allies, including goddesses and gods, can provide strong protection, inspiration, and solace during adverse times. For February, let’s take a closer look at the Goddess Brigid (Brigit, Brighid, Bride, Brigantia).
As we enter our second year since COVID-19 was first reported, many are experiencing emotional, creative, and economic crises. So why turn to Brigid? I always feel Brigid’s power most strongly the first week in February when pagans celebrate Imbolc, the Celtic festival honoring Brigid. She is known as the goddess of fire, healing, poetry, and smith craft. But let us delve into the deeper meanings beneath these labels, and how they might aid us during the pandemic.
Fire: Reignite the Creative Spark
Many authors and artists found their creativity stymied during 2020’s political upheaval, social isolation, and climate of fear and uncertainty. Brigid inspires internal magic — the creative spark and inner healing. (Thoughts manifest in Air, but Fire gives them the creative spark.) Light a red candle in Brigid’s honor to renew your creativity. Safely burn it for 1 or 3 days until completely burned down. Always snuff out the candle; never blow it out, lest the magic dissipates. Never leave a lit candle unattended.
Brigid’s festival marks the halfway point of winter. The fire and light festival gave snowbound villagers, whose food may have been dwindling, hope for better times ahead.
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| Photo by Philippe Ourselon Unsplash |
Water: Healing and Protection
Hope has been a runaway horse during the COVID-19 pandemic, sometimes galloping across verdant fields, powered by good news. Other times, Hope stumbled or disappeared into valleys shadowed by alarming statistics. No wonder mental and physical illnesses surged, as did anxiety and stress. Unseen danger—the virus—seemed to lurk on the surfaces we touched and in the air we breathed. Brigid is not a substitute for wearing a mask, washing your hands, and social distancing. But as Brigantia, the personification of her namesake, Britain, we can call upon Her for added protection and to regain our personal sovereignty.
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| St. Brigit's Well, Kildare, Ireland Photo by Ariella Moon |
Water is the element of emotions. Water calms. Pre- pandemic, I made pilgrimages to wells and springs honoring Brigid’s healing powers. Dedicate a water feature in or around your home to Brigid. Or devote a bowl of spring water to Her and place it on your altar or outside. Remember to refresh the water often.
You are Invited!
Saturday, January 30, 2021
6:00 PST
To receive a link to the online Imbolc ritual presented by the House of the Goddess, please contact them at houseofthegoddess@gmail.com.
For Further Insights Into Brigid
Yule marks the final seasonal ritual for many of us in the northern hemisphere. As we approach the Winter Solstice, sunlight disappears behind the mountains earlier, and dusk rapidly yields to night's cloak.
Few of us will be sorry to bring 2020 to a close. It seems as though the dark days of the soul began not as the days grew shorter, but back in early March when the rogue COVID wave knocked us off our feet.
To help bring closure to this challenging year, I will be facilitating with the priestesses of the House of the Goddess and the Goddess Temple of Palm Springs during the online Yule celebration Saturday, December 19, 2020. The ritual begins at 6:00 pm PST. To join the ritual, email houseofthegoddess@gmail.com.
Blessed be.
~Ariella
I invite you to save these dates!
"Defense Against the Dark Arts"
1:10PM - 2:30PM
Goddess Spirit Rising
International Goddess Conference
(September 12 - 15, 2019)
American Jewish University Brandeis-Bardin Campus
Shaman Ariella Moon will present "Defense Against the Dark Arts," an interactive workshop with tactics from shielding to spellcraft. For more information or to register for the full conference or a day pass, please visit: www.GoddessSpiritRising.com
Price varies according to room package.
October 22, 2019
Healing Chakras Workshop
In Tiffany Lazic excellent book, The Great Work, Self-Knowledge and Healing Through the Wheel of the Year, she reminds us that in ancient eras, May was the time for reigniting the fires of the community.
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| The Stone of Destiny The Hill of Tara, County Meath, Ireland Photo: Ariella Moon |
Perhaps St. Patrick targeted Beltane because of the festival’s overtones of passion and sexuality, as represented by the Maypole, a symbolic conjunction of male and female energies. Certainly he would have opposed the Hill of Tara, revered as the dwelling place of the gods and the entrance to the otherworld. Atop the hill stands a granite phallic-like pillar, the Stone of Destiny. Reportedly, the stone was a sacred object brought by the godlike race, the Tuatha Dé Danann. Legend has it that the stone roars when touched by the rightful king of Tara.
AMAZON
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| Pictured: "Flora, Roman Goddess of Flowers," by Evelyn De Morgan |
The Wheel of the Year turns to Ostara and the Spring Equinox. In this time of renewal and rebirth, we awaken from winter's darkness and open ourselves to new growth, inspiration, and creation.
