The Goddess Brigid by Jeanne Barrack!!!

When asked to select a date to blog, I immediately thought of March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day. Why? I’ve had a love affair with all things Irish since I was a teenager — and believe me, that was long, long ago, veiled in the mists of time. To me, however, it’s not St. Patrick who personifies Ireland, but Brigid, one of the most ancient goddesses and, since March is Women’s History Month, who better to talk about than this most powerful female? Of course, Brigid does have her own day in February — but that’s a whole ‘nother story! <g> 

When I wrote The Shimmering Flame there was no doubt in my mind about whom I was going to pattern my heroine. I tweaked the ancient myths and legends — but not all that much. I took the healing aspect of her Triple Aspects and the Fire and Water symbols that then became Brigid’s Elements and fashioned Brigid’s Terran persona from these things and other stories. Throughout the book you’ll come across various Irish/Celtic legends, myths and history utilized as part of the world of Brigid and the other Irish Terrans.   I found an incredible wealth of knowledge on Brigid while doing research for The Shimmering Flame, part of Liquid Silver Books’ Terran Realm series.As is often the case with the origins of gods and goddesses, there are many inconsistencies — even the name Brigid can be spelled in a variety of ways. What isn’t inconsistent is her power and goodness and how widespread her worship remains to this day. 

Listed below is some of the information I gathered. 

Triple Aspects
Goddess of Inspiration – poets, poetry, creativity, prophecy, artsGoddess of Smithcraft – blacksmiths, goldsmiths, household craftsGoddess of Healing – healers, medicine, spiritual healing, fertility (crops, land, cattle) 

Symbols
Fire – flames, candle crown, hearthWater – cauldron, springs, wellsGrain – Brigid wheels, corn/oat sheaf Goddess effigy, Brigid’s BedCreatures – white cow with red ears, wolf, snake, swan and vultureTalismans – Shining Mirror to Otherworld, Spinning Wheel and Holy Grail

Name variations:

Brighid; Bride (Scotland), Brid, Brigit, Brigid, Bridget, Briganta (England), Brigan, Brigindo (Gaul), Berecyntia, Brigandu (France)
Some of the meanings of her Name: Bright One, High One, Bright Arrow, Power.

 LINKS:The following are unbroken links directing you to more information about this female who today still has a hold on the imagination and devotion of so many. 

>This first link offers an incredible amount of information about Brigid and I adapted much of what I found here when I created my heroine’s back story.http://inanna.virtualave.net/brighid.html

> This link lists Celtic gods and goddesses and various attributes associated with them. Note how often Brigid’s name appears.http://www.angelfire.com/realm2/amethystbt/goddesscelticgg.html

> This link is without a doubt, the very best link for all things Celtic! Although some of the sites listed on it may be broken, most of them aren’t and can lead you on a wonderful journey to this ancient land. Brigid has her own seperate section on this page.http://www.luminarium.org/mythology/ireland/ 

So, to all who read this — Happy St. Patrick’s Day — but don’t forget Brigid!
CONTEST:Read the excerpt from The Shimmering Flame on my website http://www.jeannebarrack.com and tell me where Brigid expected to go on her belated honeymoon. Mail the answer to silverfire @ jeannebarrack.com  by the 21st to be entered in a drawing to receive a download of The Shimmering Flame.