Brigid or Brigit from the Irish meaning ‘exalted one‘, also Bríg, is a goddess of pre-Christian Ireland. She appears in Irish mythology as a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the daughter of the Dagda and wife of Bres, with whom she had a son named Ruadán.
She is associated with wisdom, poetry, healing, protection, smithing and domesticated animals. Cormac’s Glossary, written in the 9th century by Christian monks, says that Brigid was “the goddess whom poets adored” and that she had two sisters: Brigid the healer and Brigid the smith. This suggests she may have been a triple deity. She is also thought to have some relation to the British Celtic goddess Brigantia.
Saint Brigid shares many of the goddess’s attributes and her feast day, February 1st, was originally a pagan festival called Imbolc. It has thus been argued that the saint is a Christianization of the goddess, or that the lore of the goddess was transferred to her.
The Nine Nights of Brighid
by Diana Paar
“Sacred Wells” “2021” – “2022” – “2023“
Suil Linn a Brigid
Walk with us Brigid
Hail Brigid, Lady of Flowing Waters
Dark and Comforting One
She Who Sees
Your waters of the Well run Deep in the Past
Your waters of the Springs show us the Present
Your waters of the Rivers lead us to the Future
Patroness of Second Sight
Give us the Waters of Life
So we may learn the Power of Time
Brigid, Well Tender
Suil Linn a Brigid
“Midwife” – “2021” – “2022” – “2023“
Suil Linn a Brigid
Walk with us Brigid
Hail Brigid, Teacher of Midwifery
Patient and Kind One
She Who Guides
Your knowledge ensures safe passage for New Birth
Your caring bears witness to that which must Pass On
Your protection assists all who Heed the Call
Guardian of the Threshold
Teach us of Patience
So we may know the Beauty of Birth and Death
Brigid, Goddess of Midwifery
Suil Linn a Brigid
“Healer” “2021” – “2022” – “2023”
Suil Linn a Brigid
Walk with us Brigid
Hail Brigid, Benefactor of Healing
Calm and Caring One
She who Balances
Your keen awareness reveals the Affliction
Your vast knowledge provides Sage Counsel
Your steady Guidance can lead us to Healing
Wise Woman of Health and Vitality
Provide us with All that is Needed
So we may Return to Wholeness
Brigid, Goddess of Healing
Suil Linn a Brigid
“Foster Mother” “2021” – “2022” – “2023“
Suil Linn a Brigid
Walk with us Brigid
Hail Brigid, Foster Mother of us All
Teacher and Guide
She who Nurtures
Your teaching turns confusion into Wisdom
Your guidance turns weakness into Strength
Your nurturing turns fear into Courage.
Mother of Guides
Take our hand and accept our love
So you may show us the Way
Brigid, Foster Mother of us All
Suil Linn a Brigid
“Warrior” “2021” – “2022” – “2023“
Suil Linn a Brigid
Walk with us Brigid
Hail Brigid, Goddess of Protection
Brave Defender & Mistress of Skills
She who Armors
Your patience brings us Shielding and Protection
Your courage brings us Knowledge of Choice
Your strength brings us the Power of Wise Action
Patron of Warriors
See into our hearts and accept our love
So you may help us to stand for ourselves and others
Brigid, Patron of Warriors
Suil Linn a Brigid
“Smithcraft” “2021” – “2022” – “2023“
Suil Linn a Brigid
Walk with us Brigid
Hail Brigid, Muse of Smithcraft
Strong and Wise One
She who Creates
Your fires heat the Forge of Transformation
Your waters Cool the Metal into New Form
Your earthly gifts become Tools of Strength
Bright Lady of Smiths
Show to us the Ways of Balance
So you may guide our hands in the making of Art
Brigid, Goddess of Smithcraft
Suil Linn a Brigid
“Poetry” “2021” – “2022” – “2023“
Suil Linn a Brigid
Walk with us Brigid
Hail Brigid, Patroness of Bards
Enlivened and Eloquent One
She who Speaks
Your fires Inspire our tongues and Guide our pens
Your whispers tell us the Right Word or Praise
Your mystery speaks to us in Rhyme and Verse
Teacher of Sacred Stories
Share the Awen with us
So we may create Lore in your name
Brigid, Bardic Inspiration
Suil Linn a Brigid
“Hearth Fire” “2021” – “2022” – “2023“
Suil Linn a Brigid
Walk with us Brigid
Hail Brigid, Hearth Tender
Bright and Pleasant One
She who Protects
Your fires bless us with Heat to Provide
Your fires give us Light to Tend and Care
Your fires grant our hearts Courage in Security
Hearth Maiden
Burn the Sacred Fires
So we may remain Safe against the Cold and Dark
Brigid, Goddess of the Hearth
Suil Linn a Brigid
“Initiation” “2021” – “2022” – “2023“
Suil Linn a Brigid
Walk with us Brigid
Hail Brigid, Initiator
Astute and Confident One
She who Shows the Way
Your presence creates a Vessel for Change to Occur
Your wisdom tells us when to Let Go of the Expected
Your hands guide us to Transformation
Navigator of New Journeys
Show us the Discerning Path
So we may be led to our Truest Selves
Brigid, Goddess of Initiation
Suil Linn a Brigid.
The following is a piece created by Nathan Large in honor of Brigid, utilizing the Nine Aspects of Brigid as inspiration:
What’s It For? OR Brighid Gave Me a Word (A drinking song for Brighid)
1. MIDWIFE
A girl gave me a child, a child,
A girl gave me a child.
A girl gave me a crying child.
I asked her, what’s it for?
You hold it in your hands, she said,
You hold it in your hands.
You calm it with your love and care
And hold it to your heart!
A girl gave me a crying child.
I asked the girl, what is it for?
You calm it with your love and care
And hold it to your heart!
2. SACRED WELLS
A seer gave me a mirror, a mirror,
A seer gave me a mirror.
A seer gave me a gleaming mirror.
I asked her, what’s it for?
You hold it in your hand, she said,
You hold it in your hand.
You peer into the deepest part
And know Creation’s heart!
A seer gave me a gleaming mirror
I asked the seer, what is it for?
You peer into the deepest part
And know Creation’s heart!
3. HEALER
A witch gave me a charm, a charm,
A witch gave me a charm.
A witch gave me a healing charm.
I asked her, what’s it for?
You hold it in your hand, she said,
You hold it in your hand.
You press it to your wounded chest,
To mend your broken heart.
A witch gave me a healing charm.
I asked the witch, what is it for?
You press it to your wounded chest,
To mend your broken heart.
4. WARRIOR
A warrior gave me a drum, a drum,
A warrior gave me a drum.
A warrior gave me a rumbling drum.
I asked him, what’s it for?
You beat it with your hand, he said,
You beat it with your hand.
You pound it o’er the battle’s roar
To stir a fighting heart.
A warrior gave me a rumbling drum
I asked the warrior, what’s it for?
You pound it o’er the battle’s roar
To stir a fighting heart.
5. FOSTER MOTHER
My Mum gave me a name, a name,
My Mum gave me a name.
My Mum gave me a calling name.
I asked her, what’s it for?
You write it with your hand, she said,
You write it with your hand.
You sign it to what’s right and true
To prove your worthy heart!
My Mum gave me a calling name.
I asked my Mum, what is it for?
You sign it to what’s right and true
To prove your worthy heart!
6. SMITHCRAFT
A smith gave me a sword, a sword,
A smith gave me a sword.
A smith gave me a shining sword.
I asked him, what’s it for?
You hold it in your hand, he said,
You hold it in your hand.
You point it at the other man
And run it through his heart!
A smith gave me a shining sword.
I asked the smith, what is it for?
You point it at the other man
And run it through his heart!
7. POETRY
A bard gave me a harp, a harp,
A bard gave me a harp.
A bard gave me a ringing harp.
I asked him, what’s it for?
You hold it in your hand, he said,
You hold it in your hand.
You play it for the one you love
To steal away their heart!
A bard gave me a ringing harp.
I asked the bard, what is it for?
You play it for the one you love
To steal away their heart!
8. HEARTH FIRES
A druid gave me a fire, a fire,
A druid gave me a fire.
A druid gave me a burning fire.
I asked her, what’s it for?
Don’t hold it in your hand, she said,
You light it in your hearth.
It chases ‘way the shadows,
And it feeds your hungry heart!
A druid gave me a burning fire.
I asked the druid, what is it for?
It chases ‘way the shadows,
And it feeds your hungry heart!
9. INITIATION
A priest gave me a cord, a cord,
A priest gave me a cord.
A priest gave me a binding cord.
I asked her, what’s it for?
You hold it in your hands, she said,
You hold it in your hands.
I’ll tie it as you make your vow
To show what’s in your heart.
A priest gave me a binding cord.
I asked the priest, what is it for?
I’ll tie it as you make your vow
To show what’s in your heart.
FINAL VERSE or CHORUS
Ah, Brighid gave me a word, a word
Ah, Brighid gave me a word
Ah, Brighid gave me a singing word
I asked Her, what’s it for?
You hold it in your head, said she
You write it with your hand
You sing it for the world to hear
(repeat last line from previous verse)
Ah, Brighid gave me a singing word
I asked the Lady, what’s it for?
You sing it for the world to hear
And hold it to their heart…
And know Creation’s heart…
And mend their broken hearts…
And stir their fighting hearts…
And prove your worthy heart…
And run it through their heart…
And steal away their heart…
And feed their hungry heart…
And show what’s in your heart…
And warm their aching heart…
And gamble ‘way your heart…
DRINKING SONG (ORIGINAL)
A drunk gave me a beer, a beer,
A drunk gave me a beer.
A drunk gave me a foaming beer.
I asked him, what’s it for?
You hold it in your hand, he said,
You hold it in your hand.
You pour down your throat, and there
It warms your aching heart!
A drunk gave me a foaming beer.
I asked the drunk, what is it for?
You pour it down your throat, and there
It warms your aching heart!
GAMES & PLAY
A rogue gave me a card, a card,
A rogue gave me a card,
A rogue gave me a playing card,
I asked him, what’s it for?
You hold it in your hand, he said,
You hold it in your hand.
You play away the live-long day
And gamble ‘way your heart!
A rogue gave me a playing card.
I asked the rogue, what is it for?
You play away the live-long day
And gamble ‘way your heart!
Each verse and refrain is followed by the “Brighid gave me a word” verse and refrain, but each ends with the same final line, e.g. “to run it through their heart”. This version would is retitled “Brighid Gave Me a Word.”
NOTE: This song is meant to be expandable! As long as it fits the general frame, new verses can always be added. The final lines should end with “heart” and be appropriate to the ‘Brighid’ verse in some way.