Brighid’s special day is Imbolc, most associated with lambs and ewe’s milk. But there are many animals associated with this healing goddess of transformation.
The Four Sacred Animals of Brighid
Bird of Prey – Brighid is associated with this bird in her death aspect.
Cow – In pagan times, the image of a woman or cow was made at Imbolc, in order to invoke the female power of regeneration. The person to be healed and regenerated was then enclosed in the image and ‘given birth to’ in a form of rebirth. In Brighid’s Christian form of Saint Brigid, she was patroness of cattle and dairy work.
Snake – Brighid is known for her many healing wells. Snakes were linked with water cults and often seen as the guardian spirit of wells. Celtic imagery often depicted snakes with Brighid and other deities of healing and sacred wells. Snakes were used as oracles at her shrine and it was a good omen if one emerged from hibernation at Imbolc.
Wolf – Brighid is often depicted with a wolf. Not only sacred to Brighid, the wolf is also a totem guardian of Britain. According to Celtic lore, the wolf rules the period of purification and death between Samhain and Imbolc. The word for February was Faoilleach, meaning ‘wolf month’, and was of course the month in which Imbolc took place.
Imagery also exists of Saint Brigid accompanied by a wolf, as can be seen in a stained glass window at St. John’s Church, Glastonbury.
Other Animals Linked to Brighid
Bear – Brighid is sometimes known as the ‘daughter of the bear’ due to her spring festival of Imbolc following the sun’s rebirth in winter.
Cat – An old Irish saying states, “On Brighid’s Day the cats will bring home the brushwood”. Brighid is also linked to a cat in Irish folktale.
Cock – Cock fighting was a traditional event at both Imbolc and Candlemas, and was also a sacrificial animal to Brighid during the festival.
Sheep – Brighid’s sacred festival of Imbolc is literally translated as ‘in the belly of the mother’ while its Celtic name of Oimelc means ‘ewe’s milk’. Imbolc marks the emergence of spring from the grip of icy winter and the start of lambing season, where ewes begin lactating milk for their young.
Swan – Celtic deities associated with swans, such as Brighid, are generally solar and possess the healing powers of both fire and water. Brighid is also known as the White Swan; the ancient bird and snake goddess in one form, as the swan has the body of a bird and a snake-like neck.
Other animals linked with Brighid include the duck, hare, horse, hedgehog and oystercatcher.
Sacred Trees of Brighid
Birch – Brighid’s wand is made from birch wood, and the tree is associated with purification. Its name means ‘bright or shining’ linking closely with Brighid’s meaning. The appearance of birch leaves marks the start of the agricultural year, which falls at Imbolc, and its branches were used to ‘drive out’ the old year.
Rowan - The rowan tree is sacred to Brighid, with its flame-red berries. It is said her arrows were carved from rowan wood. It is also known as Quickbeam and associated with the quickening of life. In Irish it is known as Luisiu Orflame, which refers to Brighid’s eternally burning flame.
Willow – The willow is a sacred tree associated with Brighid’s festival of Imbolc. It is linked with water, tides, the moon and witchcraft. It is a tree of the feminine, and the tree of bards and poets, of whom Brighid is patroness.
References:
Franklin, Anna. Familiars: Animal Powers of Britain. Capall Bann, 1997
Franklin, Anna and Phillips, Sue. Pagan Feasts. Capall Bann, 1997
Louise Heyden - Louise Heyden is a writer, artist, work at home mum, sound technician and former school Library Manager.
Join the Conversation