Spring in Ireland is traditionally marked by St. Brigid’s Day on February 1. This observance, however, might not be fully historically accurate, as it has ancient roots going back around 6,000 years to a pre-Christian era characterized by a lack of written records.
In many ancient societies globally, female deities held a prominent position, and notable parallels exist between Irish mythology and Egyptian mythology. A well-known Egyptian ritual described in “The Book of the Dead” depicts Isis bestowing life upon a mummified body. Paradoxically, this imagery finds a counterpart in stone carvings located at the base of a high cross in Ireland.
Revered Celtic goddess Brigid, venerated by poets, also had her unique traits. Much like the Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut, Brigid had a sacred cow that nourished a king. In several cultures, including Indian, the cow symbolizes nurturing, and historically, this sentiment persisted in Ireland where children were baptized with milk until the 12th century.
These ancient societies, which were heavily dependent on agriculture, had a profound respect for female deities who represented the essence of Mother Earth. It was vital to honor and appease these goddesses to promote the fertility of the earth, livestock, and humanity.
Celtic mythology narrates that chieftains engaged in mating rituals with goddesses, transcending the natural and supernatural realms. These goddesses had the power to transform into different creatures, like birds. For instance, one could depict her as “an old hag” at a crossroads or as the triple goddess “Morrigan” found in the epic tale of the Tain; later tales even include the “Banshee,” known for foretelling family tragedies.
As Christianity began to permeate Ireland, the goddess Brigid transformed into the saint of the same name, reflecting centuries of existing tradition infused with both respect and apprehension. Thus, it is understandable that the Irish ancestors hesitated to completely erase her from cultural memory, leading to her modern representation as St. Brigid, once identifiable as a powerful goddess.
A popular tale recounts how St. Brigid sought land from the high king of Leinster to construct her monastery in Kildare. He jested that she could claim as much land as her cloak could cover. In a miraculous turn of events, when Brigid spread her cloak, it expanded, claiming several hundred acres.
“Beannachtaí na feile Bride” embodies this day’s sentiment: “greetings of the feast day of Brigid on you,” meaning “Happy St. Brigid’s Day!”
