Happy Spring! In the Celtic calendar, at least. The ancient Celts celebrated February 1st as Imbolc, the first day of spring – and in the Christian tradition in Ireland and the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, it also became St. Brigid’s Day. (Brigid’s name may be spelled in various ways.)
The ancient Celtic goddess Brigid had been associated with fire, and St. Brigid assumed most of the ancient goddess’s qualities. So there was a natural connection between spring’s arrival with its increasing light; fire; and St. Brigid. Legend had it that Brigid was carried off to Bethlehem to assist Mary at Jesus’ birth, and she was present at the Temple with Mary for her purification 40 days later. It was said that Brigid walked to the Temple in front of Mary, carrying a lighted candle in each hand. Although the winds were fierce, the flames on the candles neither flickered nor failed. This is how St. Brigid became associated with Candlemas on February 2nd.
Leave it to the Celts to not let the truth get in the way of a good story! Brigid apparently had no problem conquering time travel and geography in order to help Mary give birth and recover afterward.
We may still be in the depths of winter according to the calendar and public health experts battling the pandemic, but the light is increasing on both fronts. To help you know that you are not alone as we continue our journey toward spring, may this portion of a Blessing of Brigit bring you comfort as you recite it and imagine this strong, generous, and wise saint traveling with you:
Blessing of Brigit
I am under the shielding
Of good Brigit each day;
I am under the shielding
Of good Brigit each night.
I am under the keeping
Of the Nurse of Mary,
Each early and late,
Every dark, every light.
Brigit is my comrade-woman,
Brigit is my maker of song,
Brigit is my helping-woman,
My choicest of women, my guide.
(Carmina Gadelica, pp. 238-239)
For mental & spiritual health resources, please visit njmindspirit.org. Confidential help for clergy is available on the Clergy Warm Line at 609-365-WARM (9276) on Wednesday mornings from 10 am to 12 pm and Fridays from 4 to 6 pm; if you call outside those times, please leave a message and a counselor will get back to you at the next scheduled time. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 911 or contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.
