Resource List

Brighid Resource List

This is a list of resources that are focused on Brighid or that include significant information about Her. We have not attempted to list every resource that mentions Her, as that would be impossible.

Please note that there are some resources listed here that Clann Bhríde does not recommend despite their focus on Brighid.

We welcome your comments, questions, and suggestions – including suggestions for additional resources or annotations. Please email us at clannbhride@gmail.com.

 

Books – Nonfiction

Bladey, Conrad, Brigid of the Gael: A Guide for the Study of St. Brigid of Kildare, A Sourcebook for Classroom Use, Hutman Productions, 2000.

  • NOTE: This is a collection of materials on Saint Brigit, compiled from a Christian perspective.

The Cauldron Cill, Brighid Devotional, Lulu.com, 2014.

  • NOTE: This is a compilation of devotional materials written by members of the Brigidine Cill sponsored by The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum (www.ecauldron.com). It includes poems, prayers, essays, and art inspired by and dedicated to Brighid.

Clann Bhríde, Book of Hours for Daily and Seasonal Practice, 2013.

Condren, Mary, The Serpent and the Goddess: Women, Religion, and Power in Celtic Ireland, HarperCollins Publishers, 1989.

  • NOTE: This work, although very influential, contains many errors of historical fact and no information found in it should be relied on without confirmation.

Daimler, Morgan, Brigid: Meeting the Celtic Goddess of Poetry, Forge, and Healing Well, Moon Books, 2016.

  • NOTE: This book is part of the Pagan Portals series. Morgan Daimler presents a well-researched, short but poignant guide to exploring all that is the historical and metaphysical Brighid. She tempers this with her own personal journey to venerating Brighid and offers her own insights and unverified personal gnosis (UPG). Additional resources such as rituals, prayers, and devotional poems are included. The book is geared towards both the new and experienced. Recommended.

Freeman, Mara, Kindling the Celtic Spirit: Ancient Traditions to Illumine Your Life Throughout the Seasons, Harper San Francisco, 2001.

  • NOTE: This book features a chapter for each month of the year. Chapters are focused on deities and aspects of Celtic culture that are relevant in some way to the corresponding point in the year. The February chapter is focused on Brighid; other chapters include some information that is applicable to a broader spiritual practice that incorporates Celtic spirituality.

Green, Miranda, Celtic Goddess: Warriors, Virgins and Mothers, British Museum Press, 1995.

  • NOTE: This is a popular text by a trained academic. Less cautious than Hutton, Green discusses not only the evidence but what we can infer from the evidence. Highly recommended.

Greenfield, Trevor, ed., Naming the Goddess, Moon Books, 2014.

  • NOTE: This is a compilation of information on many goddesses. It includes a brief chapter on Brighid that conflates the goddess and saint to a certain extent, and She is mentioned in a few other sections. Caution advised.

Harrow, Judy, Devoted to You: Honoring Deity in Wiccan Practice, Citadel Press, 2003.

  • NOTE: Although the title of this book indicates that its contents are written from a Wiccan point of view, the chapter on Brighid was written by noted Celtic Studies scholar Alexei Kondratiev and is true to his Celtic Reconstructionist perspective. Highly recommended.

Hutton, Ronald, Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain, Oxford University Press, 1996.

  • NOTE: This book includes information on the numerous rituals celebrated throughout the year in the British Isles. The chapter on Imbolc, or “Brigid’s Night”, is short but informative.

Hutton, Ronald, The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles: Their Nature and Legacy, Blackwell Publishing, 1993.

  • NOTE: This book is a reliable source of fact-based information on ancient religion, although Hutton is cautious to a fault in some cases. If you want to know what we can really say for sure about ancient paganism, Hutton will tell you – and it won’t be much. If you want to know what we can reasonably infer, you’ll have to look elsewhere. Hutton is not a big fan of educated guesses.

Jones, Noragh, Power of Raven, Wisdom of Serpent: Celtic Women’s Spirituality, Lindisfarne Press, 1994.

  • NOTE: This book includes sections on women’s spirituality in the Celtic Christianity of Gaelic Scotland at the turn of the 20th century, and how Celtic spirituality is applicable today, even beyond the bounds of Christianity.

K, Amber and K, Azraek Arwynn, Candlemas; Feast of Flames, Llewellyn Publications, 2003.

  • NOTE: This book is written from a Wiccan perspective and includes background information on Brighid and Imbolc, as well as suggestions for rituals and activities.

Kondratiev, Alexei, The Apple Branch: A Path to Celtic Ritual, Citadel Press, 2003.

  • NOTE: This is one of the best sources out there for Celtic neopagan religion, although the Celtic Reconstructionist and Traditionalist movements have moved on and developed in different directions since this was written. Its scope encompasses a broad overview of Celtic religion, but the excellent chapter on Imbolc focuses on Brighid. Highly recommended.

McCone, Kim, Pagan Past and Christian Present in Early Irish Literature, National University of Ireland, Department of Old Irish, 1990.

  • NOTE: The scope of this academic work is broad, but it includes numerous informative and intriguing references to Brighid.

McGarry, Gina, Brighid’s Healing: Ireland’s Celtic Medicine Traditions, Green Magic, 2005.

  • NOTE: This book purports to offer alternative healing therapies for a variety of conditions. Clann Bhride does not endorse or recommend these therapies. Caution extremely strongly advised.

Meyer, Jane G., The Life of Saint Brigid: Abbess of Kildare, Conciliar Press, 2009.

Milligan, Bryce, Brigid’s Cloak, Eerdmans Books For Young Readers, 2005.

Monaghan, Patricia and McDermott, Michael, eds., Brigit: Sun of Womanhood, Goddess Ink, 2013.

  • NOTE: This is an anthology of essays about Brighid, as goddess and as saint. Highly recommended.

Monaghan, Patricia, O Mother Sun! A New View of the Cosmic Feminine, The Crossing Press, 1994.

  • NOTE: This book includes chapters on sun goddesses from many areas of the world. The chapter on Ireland, England, and Scotland discusses Brighid, Sul, and other Celtic goddesses associated with the sun.

Monaghan, Patricia, The Red-Haired Girl from the Bog: The Landscape of Celtic Myth and Spirit, New World Library, 2003.

  • NOTE: This book is an account of the author’s extended pilgrimage to Ireland. Brighid figures prominently, but the book covers a wide variety of topics related to Irish spirituality.

Norman, Ceri, The Brighid Oracle, Celtic Cauldron, 2013 (currently available only for Kindle).

  • NOTE: This book describes a divination method created by the author based on symbols associated with Brighid. Its first section provides general information on Brighid; its second section details the divination system.

Ó Catháin, Séamas, The Festival of Brigit: Celtic Goddess & Holy Woman, DBA Publications, 1995.

  • NOTE: This book includes a wealth of detailed information, some of which is only tangentially related to Brighid. It is written in a very scholarly tone, and has been extremely influential on academic writing about Brighid since its publication.

Ó Duinn, Seán, The Rites of Brigid, Goddess and Saint, The Columba Press, 2005.

  • NOTE: This book, written by a pagan-friendly Catholic priest, includes a lot of great information about Irish traditions associated with Brighid. Take any specific statement with a grain of salt, as he is not afraid to speculate and doesn’t always warn the reader when he’s doing so. Highly recommended.

Ross, Anne, Pagan Celtic Britain, Academy Chicago Publishers, 1996.

  • NOTE: This is a somewhat outdated academic text, but also a goldmine of reliable information. It contains occasional speculative interpretations that would probably not be accepted by most Celtic Studies scholars today, but still an excellent source.

Saracino, Mary and Moser, Mary Beth, She is Everywhere! Volume 3, An Anthology of Writings in Womanist/Feminist Spirituality, iUniverse, 2012.

  • NOTE: This book is a compilation of writings on a variety of topics. The chapter on Brighid is the author’s account of her pilgrimage to Kildare, Ireland, in 2007.

Smith, Bee, Brighid’s Way: Reflections of the Celtic Divine Feminine, Irish Blessings, 2014.

  • NOTE: This is a collection of poems and reflections inspired by Brighid.

Swann, Hollee, ed., Brighid and Me: Experiences with the Goddess, undated.

  • NOTE: This is a compilation of poems, reflections, and essays inspired by Brighid.

Weatherstone, Lunaea, Tending Brigid’s Flame: Awaken to the Celtic Goddess of Hearth, Temple, and Forge, Llewellyn Publications, 2015.

  • NOTE: This book provides an introduction and guide to working with Brighid that is firmly rooted in the worldview of Goddess Spirituality and features a variety of voices from different spiritual paths throughout. However, the author takes liberties with cultural tradition, and, at times, asserts personal opinion as fact. As long as one does not take this as an historical or cultural primer to the cult of Brighid, it can serve as a personally meaningful lens through which to engage with Her and might be useful for devotional work. Caution advised.

Weber, Courtney, Brigid: History, Mystery, and Magick of the Celtic Goddess, Weiser Books, 2015.

  • This book is predominantly devotional and Neo-Wiccan influenced, with a heavy focus on witchcraft. It features traditional tales that have been given a new twist by the author, along with meditations and spells. Weber mostly does not specify where the original tales came from, which might be frustrating for some. She also conflates the Irish goddess Brighid with the Voodoo loa Maman Brigitte. While they may be related, the loa is a figure from an entirely unrelated tradition. This book is reflective of Weber’s path, but it might not be for those who prefer a grounded historical basis or a source based in Goddess Spirituality. Caution advised.

Weichberger, Lilly and McIntosh, Kevin, Brigid’s Mantle: A Celtic Dialogue Between Pagan and Christian Perspectives, Anamchara Books, 2014.

  • NOTE: This book encapsulates a discussion between a pagan practitioner of “Celtic Shamanism” and a Christian pastor, using Brighid as a bridge between the two. Many of the statements misrepresent paganism, giving the erroneous impression that there is a single, unified pagan religion, or that certain characteristics are present in all pagan paths. In addition, Celtic culture is treated as a single monolithic culture. Caution advised.

Woodfield, Stephanie, Drawing Down the Sun: Rekindle the Magick of the Solar Goddesses, Lewellyn Publications, 2014.

  • NOTE: This is a compilation of information about sun goddesses around the world, including introductory material on sun goddesses in general. It includes a fairly basic chapter on Brighid.

Wright, Brian, Brigid: Goddess, Druidess and Saint, The History Press, 2009.

  • NOTE: While much of this book is well researched and credible (especially the material on Saint Brigit), Clann Bhride takes issue with the author’s contention that the goddess Brighid was deliberately created between AD 71 and 75, as part of a public relations campaign by Brigantian Druids displaced to Ireland (see pages 23-25). Caution advised.

 

Books – Fiction

Freeman, Philip, Saint Brigid’s Bones: A Celtic Adventure, Pegasus Books, 2014.

Hopman, Ellen Evert, Priestess of the Fire Temple: A Druid’s Tale, Lewellyn Publications, 2012.

Terrell, Heather, Brigid of Kildare, Ballantine Books, 2009.

Thomson, Cindy, Brigid of Ireland, Monarch Books, 2006.

 

Irish Lore – Notable References to Brighid

Cath Mag Tuired (Second Battle of Moytura), Elizabeth A. Gray, translator; verses 124-125.

http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/cmt/cmteng.htm

http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T300010/

Cormac’s Glossary, John O’Donovan, translator, Whitley Stokes, ed.; pg. 23.

http://books.google.com/books/about/Cormac_s_glossary.html?id=rX8NAAAAQAAJ

Lebor Gabála Érenn (Book of Invasions, Book of Fermoy version only), R.A.S. Macalister, Translator; verse 317.

https://archive.org/details/leborgablare04macauoft
http://www.ucc.ie/celt/indexLG.html

Senchus Mor (Ancient Laws and Institutes of Ireland Volume 1 – several passing references to Brig Briugu, Brig Brethach and Brig Ambue)

https://archive.org/details/ancientlaws01hancuoft


Informational Websites

Brighid: Goddess and Saint: http://www.brighid.org.uk/

Brigid – The Goddess of Imbolc and Celtic Europe: http://realmagick.com/articles/07/1807.html

Brigit’s Forge: http://www.brigitsforge.co.uk/

Brigit’s Sparkling Flame: http://brigitssparklingflame.blogspot.com/

Catholic Information Network, Saint Bridget: http://www.cin.org/saints/bridkild.html

Daughters of Daghda, a Brigidine Celtic Reconstructionist Site: http://daltonbridhe.tripod.com/index.htm

New Advent, St. Brigid of Ireland: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02784b.htm

Ord Brighideach: http://www.ordbrighideach.org/raven/

Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, Brigit: http://www.druidry.org/library/gods-goddesses/brigit

Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, Brigid: Survival Of A Goddess: http://www.druidry.org/library/gods-…rvival-goddess

St. Brigid: http://www.unc.edu/celtic/catalogue/stbrigid/essay.html

Rath of Brighid: http://www.conjure.com/RATH/

Articles

Adelmann. John, “Brigit Behind the Veil”, http://www.adf.org/articles/gods-and…-the-veil.html

Beck, Naomi, “Goddesses in Celtic Religion: Cult and Mythology: A Comparative study of Ancient Ireland, Britain, and Gaul“, http://theses.univ-lyon2.fr/documents/lyon2/2009/beck_n#p=0&a=top

Bittel, Lisa M., “St Brigit of Ireland: From Virgin Saint to Fertility Goddess”, http://monasticmatrix.osu.edu/commentaria/st-brigit-ireland

Bittel, Lisa M., “Body of a Saint, Story of a Goddess: Origins of the Brigidine Tradition”, http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09502360210141466#.VQ89XI7F-So

Bray, Dorothy Ann, “The Image of Saint Brigit in the Early Irish Church”, http://monasticmatrix.osu.edu/commentaria/image-st-brigit-early-irish-church

Condren, Mary, “Brigit, Matron of Poetry, Healing, Smithwork and Mercy: Female Divinity on a European Wisdom Tradition”, http://poj.peeters-leuven.be/content.php?url=issue&journal_code=ESWTR&issue=0&vol=18

Cusack, Carole M, “Brigit: Goddess, Saint, Holy Woman and Bone of Contention”, http://openjournals.library.usyd.edu.au/index.php/SSR/article/view/126/147

Dolan, Autumn, “The True Patron of Ireland: Saint Brigit and the Rise of Celtic Christianity”, http://www.researchgate.net/publication/251270825_The_True_Patron_of_Ireland_Saint_Brigit_and_the_Rise_of_Celtic_Christianity

Gerrish, Moriah, “The Conversion to Christianity in Medieval Ireland: St. Patrick vs. St. Bridget”, http://earlymedievalirishtuath.wikispaces.com/file/view/bridget+v+patric+conversion.pdf

  • NOTE: This is a pdf file that will download to your computer.

Hilaire, “Brigit as Goddess of the Dawn”, http://www.dunbrython.org/briganti.html

Iles, Linda, “Brigid of the Mantle”, http://mirrorofisis.freeyellow.com/id408.html

Jones, Mary, “Rethinking Imbolc”, https://www.adf.org/articles/gods-and-spirits/celtic/rethinking-imbolc.html

MacMorrighan, Wade, “Rekindling the Rites of Imbolg”, https://www.academia.edu/6746260/Rekindling_the_Rites_of_Imbolg

Mael Brigde, “A Long Sip at the Well: Brigit Book Reviews”, http://www.obsidianmagazine.com/DaughtersoftheFlame/images/A_Long_Sip_at_the_Well_%28Brigit_Reviews%29_by_Mael_Brigde_c_2014.pdf

  • NOTE: This is a pdf file that will download to your computer.

Nance, Kathy, “The Hidden Imbolc”, http://www.patheos.com/blogs/pantheon/2011/02/the-hidden-imbolc/

NicGrioghair,Branfionn, “Brighid, Bright Goddess of the Gael”, http://www.imbas.org/articles/brighid.html

Nicholson, Monique, From pre-Christian Goddesses of Light to Saints of Light”, http://pi.library.yorku.ca/ojs/index.php/cws/article/viewFile/8893/8070

  • NOTE: This is a pdf file that will download to your computer.

Ó Catháin, Séamas, “The Festival of Brigit the Holy Woman”, http://www.celt.dias.ie/publications…23/c23-231.pdf

  • NOTE: This is a pdf file that will download to your computer.

Parker-Wynham, Susan, “Brigid: Flame of Two Eternities”, http://www.adf.org/articles/gods-and…ic/brigid.html

Quarrie, Diane, “Imbolc and Transformation”, http://feminismandreligion.com/2014/01/25/imbolc-and-transformation-by-deanne-quarrie/

Rowley, Sherry, “On Saint Brigit and Pagan Goddesses in the Kingdom of God”, http://pi.library.yorku.ca/ojs/index.php/cws/article/viewFile/8845/8022

  • NOTE: This is a pdf file that will download to your computer.

Sellner, Edward E, “Brigit of Kildare, Golden Sparkling Flame: A Study in the Liminality of Women’s Spiritual Power”, http://monasticmatrix.osu.edu/commentaria/brigit-kildare-golden-sparkling-flame-study-liminality-womens-spiritual-power

Simms, Katherine, “Brig Brethach, ‘Brig of the Judgements’”, http://www.iwla.ie/files/2013/Br%C3%ADg_Brethach.doc

  • NOTE: This is a pdf file that will download to your computer.

Smith, Jill, “Brighid of the Isles,” http://www.goddessalive.co.uk/index.php/issues-1-5/issue-2/brighde-of-the-isles

Taylor, Kelly B., “The Cult of Brighde in Ireland”, http://crowdog.net/webdiv3/

Thompson, Christopher Scott, “Bride, the Cailleach, and Nicnevin”, http://www.patheos.com/blogs/agora/2013/11/loop-of-brighid-bride-the-cailleach-and-nicnevin/

Thompson, Christopher Scott, “What Is Brigidine Paganism?”, http://www.patheos.com/blogs/agora/2013/01/what-is-brigidine-paganism/

Devotional Materials (Individual Pages, Posts, Articles)

Brigit Virtual Shrine: http://inanna.virtualave.net/brigit.html

Brigid’s Cloak: http://www.brigidscloak.com/

Brigit’s Forge: http://www.brigitsforge.co.uk/

Circle Sanctuary, Brighid and Her Sacred Well: https://www.circlesanctuary.org/index.php/circle-magazine/sample-articles/brighid-and-her-sacred-well

Daughters of Daghda, a Brigidine Celtic Reconstructionist Site: http://daltonbridhe.tripod.com/index.htm

The Ditzy Druid, Artisan Guild Study Program: Devotional Practice Essay: http://ditzydruid.com/2012/11/02/artisan-guild-study-program-devotional-practice-essay/

Echtrai, B is For Brighid: http://echtrai.wordpress.com/tag/brighid/

Gorsedd Arberth, Of Saints, Angels, and Wolves: http://gorsedd-arberth.blogspot.com/2010/01/of-saints-angels-and-wolves.html

In Her Name, Honor the Goddess: http://www.inhername.com/honor/devotions_brigid.html

Into the Mound, Brigid of the Mantles – Devotion to the Goddess: http://intothemound.blogspot.com/2014/01/brigid-of-mantels-devotion-to-goddess.html

Loop of Brighid column, published by Patheos:

Rath of Brighid: http://www.conjure.com/RATH/

Reul-iuil Bride: The Guiding Star of Bride: http://reuliuilbride.wordpress.com/

The River Brighid, Brighid Devotional: http://theriverbrighid.wordpress.com/2010/07/27/brighid-devotional-elemental-cross/

Shrine of Brīgā: http://shrineofbriga.wordpress.com/

Virtual Shrine of Brighid, Order of the White Oak: http://www.shrineofbrighid.com/

Writings of a Pagan Witch, Encountering Brighid: http://writingsofapaganwitch.wordpress.com/2014/01/17/encountering-brighid/

Organizations

Brigidine Sisters: http://www.brigidine.org.au/index.cfm

Clann Bhríde: https://clannbhride.wordpress.com/

Daughters of the Flame (women only): http://www.obsidianmagazine.com/DaughtersoftheFlame/

Nigheanan Brighde: http://nigheananbrighde.wordpress.com/

Directory of Flametending Cills: http://flamtendersdirectory.wordpress.com/

Ord Brighideach: http://www.ordbrighideach.org/raven/

Solas Bhríde Centre and Hermitages: http://www.solasbhride.ie/

Music

YouTube playlists:

Bridget’s Song by Celia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxeTnU_qmhE&list=RDXxeTnU_qmhE#t=13

Brighid Chant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ephBsmWMRqk&list=RDephBsmWMRqk#t=0

Brighids Kiss, Triniti

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lbZpKU_6rA&list=RD4lbZpKU_6rA#t=0

Brighids Kiss- Triniti (not the same as the one above)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhNEzKxRBis&list=RDAhNEzKxRBis#t=5

Brighid Upon the Highlands

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZAK_886i1U&list=RDUZAK_886i1U#t=0

Hail to Brigid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68Aly8O5Q8o&list=RD68Aly8O5Q8o#t=0

Versions of Gabhaim Molta Bríghde (We Praise Brigid):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_-WtdNS3FE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tP5FS6IXJJA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3kbazh1D14

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqN3XAqoFDg&list=PL1dyCyo5ptQXkGcPEh7

GyxgTMfLOpnkum&index=3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bt6N0WNJKjo&list=PLhN77NetNMoauVLW4O

pYImsAEX0mw4Tj2&index=4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhNEzKxRBis&index=2&list=PLD7E29127A7

4CDF2B

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTkSqmwQSYk

Brighid Devotional Playlists:

https://8tracks.com/kingcitywitch/collections/devotional

CD’s to Purchase:

http://www.brighid.org.uk/cds.html

This sit has links to 18 different CDs about and dedicated to Brighid

Brighid Karaoke

http://celiaonline.bandcamp.com/album/bridget-songs-with-karaoke-tracks

Guided Meditation (offered for sale) – http://www.craftingthewitch.com/2014/02/02/feast-of-brigid/

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