Brigid - The Celtic Goddess Of Healing, Smithcraft And Poetry | Irish & Celtic Mythology Explained

Brigid was a pre-Christian Irish goddess of fertility and life. As a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann, she was the master of healing sharing similarities with the Catholic St. Brigid of Kildare. Originating from the word Briganti, meaning the Exalted One, the name Brigid has been anglicized from the old Irish Brig becoming the term for Bride. Brigid refers to the goddess’ connection to sunlight and fire, but may also be related to dawn goddesses across the Indo-European world. Some mention Brigid as a triple goddess, but unlike most triple goddesses in Ireland, all of her aspects were named Brigid and had dominion over Smithcraft, healing and poetry. Brigid is associated with healing, fertility, motherhood, and inspired many writers and poets, Irish novelists credited Brigid as their inspiration. Her epithet, the Exalted One reflected her connection to crafting and wisdom. The Lebor Gabála Érenn established Brigid as the daughter of the Dagda, chief of the Tuatha Dé Danann, and her mother was the namesake mother-goddess of the Tuatha Dé Danann. After their arrival the tribe fought the Firbolg and the Fomorians. Both battles of Moytura placed the Tuatha Dé Danann against the prior settlers of Ireland. The first battle ended up in a victory over the Firbolg as well as the annexation of Connacht. Then the Tuatha Dé Danann were up against the Fomorians. Brigid became Christianized as St. Brigid of Kildare. The Celtic festival of Imbolc which is celebrated on February 1st is meant to honor the pagan goddess. Saint Brigid was born of a Christian mother and a pagan Celtic king, she was named by the druids of the court after the pan Celtic divinity. As the variations of her name attest, her worship was encompassing not only Ireland, Scotland and England but also much of Europe.