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Celtic - Blog Posts
Scottish deities series
Part Two: Brighde
‘Là Fhèill Brìghde boidheach, Cunntar spreidh air mointeach. Cuirear fitheach chon na nide, ’S cuirear rithis rocais.’
‘On the Feast Day of beautiful Bride, The flocks are counted on the moor. The raven goes to prepare the nest, And again goes the rook.’ Carmina Gadelica p.173
Hello everyone! I have recently been doing a lot of research on Brighde, or Brigid, as I hope to start working with her in the near future. So I thought I would share some of the things that I’ve learned. This isn’t really in any particular theme or order, apologies, it’s fairly random! (I also haven’t talked about even most of the things that I could talk about so perhaps I will make a part 2 sometime)
Brigid or Brighde is a Celtic goddess, of Irish origin. She is spoken of in many early historic texts within Ireland as a member of the Tuatha dé Danann. She was known as a goddess of fire, the forge, poetry, healing, farming and livestock. In Scotland, Brighde is the mirror deity to an Cailleach, controlling the summer months and the arrival of spring. She is closely associated with Imbolc, it’s Gaelic name being La Fheill Brighde. With the advent of Christianity, Brighde got her name sake in St Brigid of Kildare, who is associated with healing and water.
There are many variations on the name, Brigid being the most common, Brighde is the name most commonly used in Scotland. And there are ither variations including Brigit, Bride, Bhride and Brede, Brig and Bric.
Brighde in Scotland
In Scotland, Brighde is most commonly seen as a weather deity, controlling the arrival of spring and having domain over the summer months. In this way, she is a mirror to An Cailleach, who controls the winter months. There are various stories as to how the two interacted, and what caused the change in seasons. One story tells that An Cailleach had a son called Angus, who fell in love with Brighde. The Caileach kidnapped Brighde, locking her away underground and causing the freezing winter. When Angus rescues Brighde on Imbolc, spring and life return to the land. Another story tells that when An Cailleach grows very old, she drinks from a loch which provides youth and she transforms into Brighde. Others see Brighde simply as the mirror Goddess to an Caileach, being youthful, warm and gentle, where an Caileach is hag-like, freezing and wild.
Brigids mantle, or a brat Brighde
A piece of folklore associated with Brighde, is that a small piece of cloth would be left out on the eve of Imbolc in order to be blessed by Brighde. This would imbue the cloth with healing and protective properties throughout the year, and it is said that if the same cloth is used, it will grow stronger with each year that it is left out. Traditionally, this cloth would be of white cotton of silk - and was used to protect women in childbirth and new born babies from the Fair Folk.
Brighde’s crosses, or Brigid’s crosses
The Christian story for the origins of Brighde’s crosses is that St Brigid was trying to show a follower a cross and had only reeds to make one with. Although the origins of the crosses could be much older than this, as the shape has parallels with pre Christian symbolism. A new Brigid’s cross would be made at each Imbolc and kept, so that people amass a collection of crosses. They are said to be protective talismans, in addition to bringing fertility and luck.
Brigid of the flame:
In the medieval era at Kildare, in Ireland, nuns tended a perpetual flame for St Brigid until the 16th century. This practise was recently restarted. This is widely believed to be a continuation of a pre-Christian practice of women tending a flame in honour of the Celtic deity.
The following are taken from research as well as my own personal gnoses
Symbols associated with Brighde:
Cows Pigs Sheep and lambs Milk and dairy products The oystercatcher (being called Gillebride in Scots Gaelic) Dandelion (in Scots Gaelic beàrnan Brighde) Snowdrops Crocuses White, violet, pastel yellow and green Water Snakes (in Scotland) Eggs Reeds Wheat and bread Beer
Brighde’s domains:
Spring and summer Healing wells Fire Smithing and craft Poetry Farming and livestock Whistling Grief The home and hearth Childbirth Medicine Brewing
Sources: Daimler, M. 2016. Brigid: meeting the Celtic goddess of poetry, forge and healing well. Brigid: goddess and saint. Carmina Gadelica. image: A la Recherche du Temps Perdu by Charles-Amable Lenoir.
See also: my post on Imbolc, my post on An Cailleach
Celtic warrior
You ever look at your genetics and go “how the ever living FUCK did this happen” because I am directly descended from the strongest Old Ireland clan and the second strongest Scottish clan… ON OPPOSITE SIDES??? I’m double Celtic royalty-
I’m so stupidly tall, and then I’m also pretty sure I’m developing gigantism… I’m 5’11” STILL GROWING AND THEN THERES GIGANTISM?? I don’t wanna be like 8 feet tall bro- a normal house is already a lot and a custom built house would cost my kidney-
The only reason I look like I’m not starving is that extra mass isn’t body fat, no no no, that’s pure MUSCLE-
Ya know how most little kids are chihuahuas, because they don’t have strength for their rage? WELL I WAS A DAMNED TASMANIAN DEVIL BECAUSE I SOMEHOW KNEW A BUNCH OF WEAK POINTS AND FIGHTING TACTICS WITHOUT LEARNING???? Was I James Bond in a past life or some shit???
My molars are sharp…molars as in THE HERBIVORE TEETH. I’ve tried looking it up and didn’t get an answer, I EVEN ASKED MY DENTIST AND THEY COULDNT COME UP WITH A SURE FIRE ANSWER EITHER??
I have that weird mutation that makes it so I can consume other peoples blood without worry. How do I know this? One time my bestie scraped her elbow and when I was looking at it my autism brain made me automatically lick it- I was like “did- did I just eat your blood-??” And she was like “yeah- I think so-“ and we both proceeded to burst out laughing.
My favorite part of my fucked genetics: MY JOINTS! I simultaneously have joint pain and am hyper flexible- (my jaw can also unhinge without damage but ignoring that-) so sometimes I bend 2 degrees and my spine dissipates, other times I can CONTORT TO FIT INTO A FUCKING CLOTHING DRYER???? my bestie knows that and the fact that it’s my favorite hide and seek spot and we always cackle at people’s faces when they FINALLY find me- 😭
Vestibule Mudroom Inspiration for a large transitional porcelain tile and brown floor entryway remodel with gray walls and a black front door
When people assume Celtic = Irish I get a strong urge to stab myself in the eye.
No no no no no no.
Sit down we must have a conversation.
There were 6 Celtic nations.
Éire, Cymru, Alba, Kernow, Breizh, and Ellan Vannin.
Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Cornwall, Brittany, and the Isle of Mann respectively.
They’re all related, but not the same. They all have different languages descended from a similar group, Irish (Gaeilge), Scottish (Gàidhlig), Manx (Gaelg), Welsh (Cymraeg), Cornish (Kernowek), and Breton (Brezhoneg). Some are more widely spoken than others, for example Welsh is still commonly spoken in Wales, whereas hearing Cornish in Cornwall instead of English is rare. All Celtic nations have varied mythology and culture. Irish Mythology is different from Breton Mythology, and even Welsh and Cornish mythology (arguably the most related Celtic Nations) have subtle differences to each other. I wish I could add more about the cultures at this time but my knowledge of Celtic nations is primarily made up of the history and languages of those regions, particularly Cornwall.
You might have notice that England and English are missing from this, because the English descended from Anglo-Saxons, who were German invaders that came to the isles right around the Fall of the Roman empire in the 5th Century, erasing the Celtic influence in what is now England.
So what this all really means is that Celtic is an umbrella term, and just because it’s Celtic doesn’t mean it has anything to do with Ireland at all. So don’t assume that just because someone’s talking about something Celtic that they’re talking about something Irish.
Tatuado sobre piel sintética #ink #inked #tattoo #fakeskin #realistictattoo #ladgerda #enmawatson #owl #owltattoo #lathgertha #lagerthalothbrok #vikings #celtic #celticknot #design #neotraditional #blackandgrey #tattoo #madrid #jairock #jairocktattoo #jairockfernandez https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm_Y8OXH2it/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=36kawd6pox89
An original Jack O Lantern made from a turnip.
Halloween, or All Hallow’s Eve, is said to have been influenced by ancient Christian, pagan, and Irish traditions. In Christianity, Halloween in the first day of AllHallowTide, a festival consisting of All Hallow’s Eve, All Hallow’s Day, and All Soul’s day. The celebration was meant to remember the dead. In pagan tradition, the holiday was influenced by the ancient gealic festival of Samhain, which marks the end of the harvest season and beginning of winter. During the festival, large bonfires were lit and the bones of animals kept for slaughter were thrown in as a sacrifice. According to gaelic mythology, during this time, the boundary between the living world and the spirit world is at its thinnest, allowing spirits to cross into our world. According to legend, the spirit of a man named stingy Jack was cursed to wonder the earth for an eternity after his death, with nothing but a hollowed out turnip containing a lit coal to guide his way. He was dubbed Jack of the Lantern or Jack O’ Lantern. The Irish people would carve out gourds, such as turnips, to ward off malicious spirits. Irish immigrants in North America began to use pumpkins because they were easier to carve. The children of the poor would wear costumes and go from door to door of the wealthy receiving small gifts of special cakes called soul cakes in exchange for a song or a prayer for the dead. Eventually children took up this practice by going from door to door asking for small gifts of food or money. Eventually All these traditions evolved into the Halloween that we all know and love.
Hey, look. I drew some keywork 'cuz I was bored. Then I inked it, really really badly.
True story.
I might do more of these, they're good practice. Straight lines aren't exactly my strong point.
On paper, this is 12 cm across... just under five inches. I really should be able to manage one about half as big, we'll see how that turns out.
⚪️⚪️⚪️ Del Latín “triketra”: tres esquinas. . Vida, muerte y reencarnación. Físico, mental y espiritual. Cuerpo, mente y alma o espíritu. Tierra, agua y aire. La triple dimensión de la divinidad femenina: doncella, mujer/madre, anciana. . El círculo significa “un ciclo”. Todo lo que comienza, debe acabar, para volver a empezar. . ⚪️⚪️⚪️ Fron latin "triketra": three corners. . Life, death and reincarnation. Physical, mental and spiritual. Body, mind and soul/spirit. Earth, water and air. The triple dimension of the feminine: maiden, woman / mother, old woman. . The circle means "a cycle". Everything that begins must end, to start over. #triketa #triquetra #triqueta #celta #celtic #illustration #ilustracion https://www.instagram.com/p/BtjLFbmHro1/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1b4fdp7r2xhe5
(click on the image for a better image quality)
(click on the image for a better image quality)
Ash’s Original Witchery Posts MegaIndex!
Below are all my original posts on witchcraft & witchery sorted by subject. I’ll be adding to / editing this post each time I post something new - stay tuned!
BOOKS
Reading List: Secular & Wicca-Based Basic Books
Favorite Spellbooks
The Witches’ Workbook
CHARGING
Charging 101: The Quick Basics
CIRCLES
Three Simple Ways to Cast a Circle
Delineating the Boundary: Ways to Line your Circle
Circle Casting Clinic 101: What’s Wrong With My Circle?
Anatomy of a Circle-Casting: Circle Casting Structures
CHEAT SHEETS
Candle Magic Cheat Sheet
Spell Jars: A Guide & How-To
Moon Phase Cheat Sheet
Expanded Moon Phase Cheat Sheet
Celtic Tree Calendar Cheat Sheet
CLEANSING
A Basic Home & Apartment Cleansing
CONSECRATION
Consecration Basics
The Lazy’s Witch’s Ring Consecration
Consecrating a Tarot Deck
DIVINATION & PSYCHIC MATTERS
Getting Started with Tarot
Dice Divination
Make an Emergency Tarot Kit
The Types of Psychic Power
Herbs for Psychic Ability
ENERGY WORK
How to Raise, Move, and Throw Energy
GREEN WITCHCRAFT
“My Throat Is Trying To Kill Me” Ginger Brew”
A Basic Wishing Spell, Green Witch Edition
Cauldron Tips & Tricks
HELLENIC PAGANISM & PAGANISM
Non-Conventional Ways to Worship Artemis
MEDITATION & VISUALIZATION
Starting Meditation
Exercises for Beginning Visualization
MOON MAGIC
A Witch’s Full Moon Traditions
Moon Phase Cheat Sheet
Expanded Moon Phase Cheat Sheet
The Movement of the Spheres: All About the Moon, its Movements, Phases, and Celebrations
PROTECTION
Simple Methods of Protection
Basic Shielding
RECIPES
“My Throat Is Trying To Kill Me” Ginger Brew
Lemon Cayenne Wakefulness Potion
A Green Witch’s Herb Bread
Things to Do With Rose Oil
…and Tea Tree Oil
Herbs for Psychic Abilities
RITUALS
Ritual of Announcement - for Witches Starting their Path
A Basic Home & Apartment Cleansing
A Witch’s Full Moon Traditions
The Tea Ceremony
SAFETY
Safety Tips for Witches
SPELLCRAFT
Attraction and Banishment in Spellcraft
Charging: The Quick Basics
Candle Magic Cheat Sheet
Cauldron Tips & Tricks
Circle Casting Clinic 101
Spell Jars: A Guide & How-To
Moon Phase Cheat Sheet
Expanded Moon Phase Cheat Sheet
Celtic Tree Calendar Cheat Sheet
Magical Timing: The Sun & Moon in Witchcraft
Amelioration: Using Honey in Spells
Using Dirt and Ash Without Being Appropriative
What to Do With Dyed Glass & Fake Stones
SPELLS
Three Simple Ways to Cast a Circle
Enchanting a Necklace for Courage
Enchanting a Soap or Cleanser to Help Clear Skin
The Lazy Witch’s Ring Consecration
Getting It Done: A Virgo Moon
Simple Methods of Protection
A Basic Wishing Spell, Green Witch Edition
Wards for Resisting the Power
Rapid Fire Summoning
TOOLS
The Athame
Cauldron Tips & Tricks
Athames VS Wands
WANDLORE
How to Fix Up & Set Up a Stick as a Wand
WARDING
Wards for Resisitng the Power
Technomancy Warding for Blogs & Sites
WHEEL OF THE YEAR
Let’s Talk… Imbolc
Let’s Talk… Litha
Let’s Talk… Lammas
WITCHCRAFT 101 / WITCHLINGS
Witch Starter Kit: First Year Supply List
Witching on the Cheap: First-Year Supply List II (Redux)
The Difference Between a Book of Shadows, a Grimoire, and a Witches’ Almanac
The Difference Between Witches, Wiccans, Magic, and Magick
The Difference Between A Hex, a Curse, and a Spell
The Difference Between Magic and Magick with a K (one more time!)
Why Do You Seal Off a Spell Jar?
Making Witchcraft a Daily Practice
On Reading Off Spells
Tips for Newbies Starting Spellcraft
WITCHY TIPS
Recharging Tattooed Sigils
Witchery and Mental Illness
Five of My Favorite Witchy Tools
Holy Crap, Ghosts, Leave Me Alone
Circle Casting Clinic 101
The Science of Spellcraft
[Ask Ash || The Witches’ Workbook]
You guys help me keep TheoryofMagick running and bring major appreciative vibes to this happy Green Witch! :>
Seeking advice…
I don’t post about my personal life but, I feel that my current situation is relevant to my blog.
Paganism/ witchcraft has been apart of my life for a long while now, but recently I feel like my heart hasn’t really been in it. I enjoy Celtic mythology and the worship of their gods but it feels like I’ve been losing faith.
Ive taken breaks from practicing before but this feels different. It’s like I’m detached from it.
I don’t know what to do as I have not been motivated for the past week, but I decided to come on here as I was wondering if anyone else experiences this?? And if there’s anything I can to do or if I should leave it as it is.
If anyone has any suggestions or just relates feel free to share
I should learn for my A-levels, but I am to excited to finally use my new cards today!
Hello everyone!! This is the drawing for today! This is Khandido, he is a cernunno from celtic mythology. I hope you like it. Here you can see the previous drawing: http://the-world-of-mitsuki.tumblr.com/image/164275145741 and here is the first drawing: http://the-world-of-mitsuki.tumblr.com/image/163691470686
Please don´t use it without my permission.
See more pictures in my deviant account: http://seirykun.deviantart.com/
or here: http://the-world-of-mitsuki.tumblr.com/
SAMHAIN
By far the best known Gaelic festival, Samhain marked the end of summer in Ireland, when assemblies were held and the cattle were brought to winter pastures. The traditional (though contested) date is usually given as November 1st, with festivities beginning at dusk on October 31st. Like with Bealtaine, the festival of Samhain is marked by bonfires and an emphasis on protection from Otherworldly forces. Syncretism with All Hallow's Eve resulted in many traditions involving the dead or the Daoine Sidhe roaming the lands on Samhain, looking to snatch away or otherwise harm those who did not observe the proper rites. As such, the wearing of disguises and the creation of charms were meant to ward away unwanted attention. Divination games were also common on Samhain, primarily concerning matters of love and marriage. Hiding trinkets such as coins or rings in plates of food and loaves of bread was the most popular method, although apples and hazelnuts were also employed. Samhain is also the setting for many of Irish mythology's most famous tales, especially stories of wooings and conceptions. Modern Scottish tradition associates Samhain with the Cailleach, the hag of winter, who rules over the colder months. The Brugh na Boinne was particularly associated with Samhain, and modern folklore describes it as the site of battles, feasts, and games carried out by the Daoine Sidhe on Samhain night. This piece features a deer skull to evoke the deer herd of the Cailleach and the traditions surrounding death, with crossed swords and the Brugh na Boinne for the Daoine Sidhe. Loaves of bannock and barmbrack, along with nuts and apples, encompass the culinary aspects of the holiday, and the quaich cup (a common sight at weddings) and divinatory trinkets hint at its more romantic overtones. Finally, bonfire flames, a carved tumshie lantern, and a parshell cross serve as charms to ward away Otherworldly dangers. Lá Fhéile Shamhna sona daoibh!
This was a home once - Part II
This was a home once - Part I
Tír na nÓg / Ulster cycle Hatsune Miku
The Wren Prince VIII - The Transformation
The Wren Prince VII - The Snail Druid
The Wren Prince VI - The Battle of Birds
The Wren Prince V - The Pantry Raid of Crannog
The Wren Prince IV - The Toad Druid
The Wren Prince II - Riding the Salmon of Knowledge
The Wren Prince
He's ready for anything... even robins.