ST. BRIGHID’S FIRE

Today is St. Brighid’s Day, or Imbolc on the Celtic calendar. Imbolc was the feast of the goddess Brighid who over time was syncretized with the Christian Saint.  Both Brighids were connected to communities of women who kept a sacred fire burning perpetually. The fire was surrounded by a hedge and legend has it if a man were to enter there he would be cursed to die, be crippled or go insane.

For the Celts, this was also the first day of spring and it was believed that from this day forward Brighid’s fire would slowly gain strength as it warmed the earth and melted the ice and snow.  After the bitter cold weather we’ve been having this month in Minneapolis, I’m hoping Brighid’s fire burns stronger and stronger very soon and brings us some much needed warmth.