“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom”.
Anaïs Nin
This is the first in a series that explores mythical goddess energies that are closely connected to our surroundings, creativity and most importantly, our homes.
First up is Brigid, the bright solar goddess of fire, alchemy, creativity, home and hearth. Brigid is celebrated for bringing back the light at the Celtic festival of Imbolc, on 1-2 February, the mid-point between winter solstice and the spring equinox (although it may feel decidedly more winter than spring!)
Brigid is known to embody three flames,
– The spark of inspiration – the wordsmith, initiating creativity, storytelling, weaving poetry and living in flow
– The gentle flame of the hearth – the homemaker, a fiery yet gentle protectress of warmth, tending to the fireplace and our inner healing
– The fire of the forge – the alchemist and maker, the embodiment of magical power that transforms metal with fire and is patron of craft (especially weaving, embroidery, and metalsmithing)
Imbolc represents the first signs of spring, the stirrings of new life and the slow, steady return of the light. To me, it signifies a renewal and reawakening and the harbinger of good things to come. It reminds me of hushed hidden potential, just like the quiet movement that is happening deep underground and within the tight buds on the trees.
The quietly optimistic festival marks a moment to cleanse space to make room for fresh beginnings. It is a time for bringing new ideas and projects into the emerging light, whilst nurturing what we have been reflecting on over the winter months.
Rituals and symbols to invoke Brigid’s energy at Imbolc, festival of hearth and home,
Create or refresh your altar.
Set aside a space in your home, decorate it with fresh snowdrops and other spring flowers, seeds and bulbs, feathers, white and green candles to symbolise purity and new life. See Leila Sadeghee’s tips for creating a home altar.
Spring cleaning.
Traditionally, clearing physical space was customary at Imbolc. By cleansing and clearing the space around us it was thought to also make space internally to allow inspiration for this new cycle.
Get rid of anything that is cluttering up your home and stagnating the energy and if you can bear the chill, open all the windows and let refreshing air flow through your home.
Fire and water rituals.
Brigid is the goddess of fire, representing the three flames and the returning solar power. Use fire/smoke to purify your space. Light candles and a fireplace if you have one to honour the return of warmth and increasing power of the sun in the weeks and months ahead.
Brigid is also associated with water as the patron of healers; the fluidity of the water element is also linked to music, poetry and represents the melting of snow and ice. Spend time by a source of water in nature or create a candlelit bathing ritual to celebrate the return to the light using a selection of the herbs, flowers and crystals associated with Imbolc. Try this combination inspired by Deborah Hanekamp of Mama Medicine,
Ingredients: Fresh or dried calendula, eucalyptus and rose petals – Epsom salts – nettle tea – frankincense essential oil – clear quartz crystal
Ritual: Light a candle – step into bath and immerse yourself – stare into the flame of candle – close your eyes – visualise inner flame and light within
Other herbs, crystals and oils associated with Imbolc and Brigid include:
Blackberry – sacred to Brigid, the leaves and berries are used to attract prosperity and healing. It is said to be a goddess plant, belonging to the planetary sphere of Venus.
Ginger – revitalises and stimulates the ‘fire within’
Herbs – angelica, basil, heather, myrrh, celandine
Crystals – onyx, garnet, turquoise, bloodstone, amethyst
Incense/oils – chamomile, jasmine, myrrh, neroli, primrose, lavender, rosemary
Willow tree – Willow is the great ‘shapeshifter’ of consciousness and emotion and symbolises feminine energy and the lunar cycle. Its branches are flexible – expressing movement and change rather than resistance. It is a tree of enchantment and dreaming, enhancing the confidence to follow one’s intuition, and inspires leaps of imagination.
