Brighids Triple Aspects: The Hearth

The Hearth represents the magic of everyday life: our relationships with the people close to us, the sacredness of preparing foods and medicines, the utter miracle of childbirth, raising children, making our homes. The Hearth is our light, and warmth, the very center of our home. That Brighid is the patroness of the Hearth, brings to light an entirely holy way of viewing home life, family, and daily living. The mundane is valued and conscious intent is put into all that is done, as if everything matters and is part of this greater ritual of living our lives.

Brighid is midwife as well as herbalist and wise woman. As late as 100 years ago in the west Scottish Highlands, the Matthewses write, the midwife traditionally blessed a newborn with fire and water in Brighid's name. She passed the child across the fire three times, carried the baby around the fire three times deosil, then performed "the midwife's baptism" with water, saying:


A small wave for your form
A small wave for your voice
A small wave for your speech
A small wave for your means
A small wave for your generosity
A small wave for your appetite
A small wave for your wealth
A small wave for your life
A small wave for your health
Nine waves of grace upon you,
Waves of the Giver of Health.

Brighid also protects and heals adults. She is a goddess of healing wells and streams; in her honor, Bridewell is one of the two most common well-names in Ireland, the other being St. Anne's Well, remembering Anu, or Dana, the mother of the gods - a goddess sometimes conflated with Brighid. With Aengus Og, Brighid performs the role of soul-guardian, wrapping worshippers in her mantle of protection. ~ from M. Harline