The quarterly holiday commemorating one of the most fascinating of all Gaelic women, Brìd or Brigid, venerated as both a goddess and saint, is approaching and we are planning an online event Feb. 4 to discuss the traditions associated with Imbolc or Latha Fhèill Brìde, the feast day of St. Brigid. ACGA will present a program that looks at traditions associated with Brigid and her day in Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man. We’ll discuss the connections between the goddess once called Brigantia in early Celtic Britain, the goddess Brigid in Gaelic tradition, and St. Brigid of Kildare, one of the most important Gaelic saints.

This will be the second in a series of online events ACGA has planned for this year, following the success of our Oidhche Shamhna / Halloween event in November and our Latha Chaluim Chille or St. Columba Day event last June. Each of the Gaelic communities — Scottish, Irish, and Manx — have traditions associated with Brìd or Brìde, as her name is spelled today. Some are unique, and some are similar. How is Imbolc connected to Brìd and what does the name “Imbolc” mean? What role did and does the holiday play in the traditional Gaelic agricultural year? We’ll have plenty to explore in this two-hour program.

What does this holiday and Brìd mean to us today? What can we learn from the story of this life-giving, life-affirming female, whether Pagan goddess or Christian saint, or both? Join us Feb. 4 at 2 pm for this free presentation and discussion. Register at this link or through our events page.

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“Moch maduinn Bhride,

Thig an nimhir as an toll,

Cha bhoin mise ris an nimhir,

Cha bhoin an nimbhir rium”

“Early on Bride’s morn

The serpent shall come from the hole,

I will not molest the serpent,

Nor will the serpent molest me.”

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