Celtic goddesses: Brighid (part 2)

My closet reenactment of goddess Brighid

Part 2 of my goddess Brighid tribute :) (part 1) Part two will be about a bit more info and a pic overload of Brigid's aspects.  So if you're interested about mythology, goddesses or Celtic culture, read and watch on!

-DISCLAIMER: As usual, I do not own any of the quotes or any of the images/artwork that are not labelled as specifically mine. The rest are duly credited, unless I was unable to locate the source or artist (in which case, if you know who any of the missing authors/artists are, please let me know and I'll credit them). Also, fellow Deviants, if I you prefer me to remove your (credited) deviation, just notify me.

Before starting, I'd like to redirect potential spammers to the Comments Policy section and remind them that I do not welcome any kind of religious-based spam (and that I will simply delete it, like I did when I published the first part and received some charmingly fanatical Christian spam). This post is about mythology and Celtic culture and in my case it's here for cultural reasons. Although if I were a fully-fledged Neopagan, my reasons would be equally valid. Seeing as I'm not trying to convince or convert anyone to anything with these kind of posts, I ask that you afford me the same courtesy. Live and let live.

 Brighid as patroness of poets, musicians and other artists

By Helen Mask

'Brigid: Bardic Spirit' by Lindowyn on DeviantArt (http://lindowyn.deviantart.com/art/Brigid-Bardic-Spirit-152926171)

  "Brigit is patroness of the filidhacht (poetry and bardic lore) and the filid (bards), who were the oral transmitters of the Celtic culture. This includes storytellers, folklorists, mythologists, balladeers, singers, composers, poets, musicians, particularly harpers, historians and clan genealogists. She provided the "fire in the head" of poetic inspiration."
(Susan Morgan Black, essay on Brigit)

'The Goddess' by ArwendeLuhtiene on DeviantArt, aka me (http://arwendeluhtiene.deviantart.com/art/The-Goddess-sketch-415614089). This is supposed to be a quick sketch of the Celtic goddess in general, embodying various aspects of the main Celtic goddesses. I drew the Sun (solar goddess), the harp (Brighid), the horse (Epona, Rhiannon) and the spear (Mórrígán or Brighid as Brigantia, or the warrior-goddess in general). 

'Brigid making her way' by ElisabethPhillips on DeviantArt (http://elizabethphillips.deviantart.com/art/Brigid-Making-Her-Way-44901398). In her trademark colours (red, green and white) accompanied by the swan (generally a poetic inspiration symbol).

  Brighid as healer and bringer of life

This is one of my favourite artworks of Brighid (unfortunately, I don't know who is the artist). 

Bridid dressed in white in her healing and life-bringer aspect, with her druid rod and Sun rays coming out of her head (by Wendy Andrew)

   "She is the patron of agricultural, pastoral, and domestic fertility and abundance. (...) a Goddess of animal fertility (...) Cattle (...) were sacred to Brigid. (...) A white skinned red eared fairy cow is associated with her. (...) Brigit is also associated with a white snake [a healing and fertility symbol] and with fish that sometimes appear in her healing wells."
(Susan Morgan Black, essay on Brigit)

The fertility aspect of Brigid, with the lamb, the snakes and the bees. By Judith Shaw (http://feminismandreligion.com/2013/01/31/brigid-goddess-of-healing-poetry-and-smithcraft-by-judith-shaw/)

Brighid as life-giving solar goddess by Helen Mask

(Susan Morgan Black, essay on Brigit)"As Water deity, Brigit is the patroness of healers, with many healing springs and wells dedicated to Her throughout the British Isles. Water is also associated with psychic ability, music, and poetry. (...) She taught the properties of herbs, and blessed many springs and wells across the land, that are still venerated today. Her girdle and mantle had healing properties, which she shared with others. (...) These wells were probably dedicated to the earlier Goddess, with a presiding priestess or Druid."

Brigid's Well in Kildare

Brigid as the Maiden goddess and bringer of Spring (ARTIST UNKNOWN to me)                                           

                                 

Brighid the blacksmith and artisan

'Brigid at her forge' by Jane E. Ward (http://janeeward.wordpress.com/author/janeeward/page/5/)

"As a Fire deity, she is the patroness of blacksmiths and poets (a poet's "fire in the head"). The hearth is sacred to her in every home. (...) She inspires the creativity and artistry of the blacksmith craft just as she inspires the creativity of poets. (...)
 Blacksmiths were considered magicians (...) themselves. (...) it was the excellence of Celtic metalwork that differentiated them from all other early cultures and brought them to prominence."
(Susan Morgan Black, essay on Brigit)

Fire goddess by Lorelei Sims (http://www.blacksmithchic.com/)

Brighid as blacksmith by Helen Mask 

                                  Brigid as blacksmith and artisan by Joanna Powell Colbert) (detail)                                 

'Brigid of the forge' by Lindowyn on DeviantArt (http://lindowyn.deviantart.com/art/Brigid-of-the-Forge-153777815)

'Brigid' by faolgarg on DeviantArt (http://faolgarg.deviantart.com/art/Brigid-217285719). Portrayed in her blacksmith and fertility aspects.
                                 

Brighid as Brigantia: Warrior and protector


Brigantia  by Laura Cameron (http://www.lauracameron.net/)

As most Celtic goddesses Brighid has a warrior aspect. She represents female vigour and strength, queenship and sovereignity. Like most solar gods and goddesses, her warlike aspect is associated more with protection than slaughter.
             

            Left: 3rd Century AD Romano-British relief of the goddess Brigantia, portrayed in a very similar fashion to Roman goddess Minerva (Greek Athena) and to Roman goddess Victoria. Right: Statue of Brigantia by Oberon Zell (http://www.13moons.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=180_357). 

 "The symbol of Britain - the Goddess Brigantia or Britannia, is Brigid in her aspect as Goddess of Sovereignity or Guardian of the Land. (...)  In her aspect as Brigantia, she carries a spear, an orb of victory, and wears a war crown (...) [This is the] warlike version of Brighit. (...) Her warlike, protective characteristics are emphasized."

(Susan Morgan Black, essay on Brigit)

Gaulish statuette of Brigantia (2nd Century BCE) in Rennes (Britanny) (found on Wikipedia, entry Brigantia)

Brighid (M. Stanton). Portrayed as animal fertility goddess and as Brigantia the protector (http://www.goddessmyths.com/Amaterasu-Epona.html)

Brigantia (Urban Mystic, I have not been able to trace the artist's source). Shown as a fire goddess and protector of the people.

'Goddess Bridget and Curu' by nienor on DeviantArt (http://nienor.deviantart.com/art/goddess-bridget-and-curu-696651). One of my favourite depictions of Brighid as a warrior. Accurate Celtic fighting attire too, btw: Pants, short tunic and cloak.  

'Brigid' by celticseaturtle on DeviantArt (http://celticseaturtle.deviantart.com/art/Brighid-33567298).  Portrayed with a spear in her warlike aspect (plus the Sun symbolism in the rays and the solar cross).

Sources and more info:
-Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigid, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigantia_(goddess).
-'Brigid, goddess of Healing, Poetry and Smithcraft' by Judith Shaw: 
http://feminismandreligion.com/2013/01/31/brigid-goddess-of-healing-poetry-and-smithcraft-by-judith-shaw/.
-About the blacksmith aspect of Brigid, plus more info about blacksmithing: 
http://brigitssparklingflame.blogspot.com.es/2012/08/blacksmith-practice-manual.html.
-A stock image of the goddess Brigantia as portrayed in the Gallo-Roman depictions by Aseamlessbonds on DeviantArt: http://aseamlessbonds.deviantart.com/art/Brigantia-195000344
-Essay on Brigit by Susan Morgan Black. Downloadable as pdf.