When I was doing background research on Quinn's middle name (Brigid), I learned some interesting things that make me feel like like we've chosen wisely. I feel like today, being Groundhog's Day, is the best time to share.

(from http://www.pantheon.org/articles/b/brigid.html)

Known by many names, Brighid's three aspects are (1) Fire of Inspiration as patroness of poetry, (2) Fire of the Hearth, as patroness of healing and fertility, and (3) Fire of the Forge, as patroness of smithcraft and martial arts. She is mother to the craftsmen.

She was Christianized as the "foster-mother" of Jesus Christ, and called St. Brigit, the daughter of the Druid Dougal the Brown.

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(from http://www.mystical-www.co.uk/time/febday.htm)

Imbolc Feb 1st (yesterday) Celtic feast day of 'Brigid', the Abbess of Kildare. The church was said to be on the same site as a sacred oak grove used for pagan worship, and that for one thousand years after her death, a fire was kept alight in the grounds tended by women only although men and women followed a religious life here. Brigid is associated with Mary, a nurturer and provider, and further associated with Celtic worship and midwives.

Candlemas Feb 2 (today) Celtic feast day of 'Brigit', (also February 1) Irish 'Mother Goddess' (also traditionally known as the 'Queen of Heaven' in Ireland, 'Bride' in Scotland and 'Brigantia' in England). It is believed that Brigit has three faces which are associated with the three-leafed shamrock, a leaf that is the emblem of Ireland. Later became 'St. Bridgid's Day', a Christian day dedicated to remembrance of the Irish saint. In ancient times Brigit was associated with poetry, fire, metalwork and the sun, possessing a sacred totem that was believed to have the power of healing in the form of a snake (therefore connected with the role of the priestess in the pagan culture). Further associations are made with St. Patrick (17 March), the patron saint of Ireland (who was known for ridding Ireland of snakes). It is believed by many that the symbolism attached to this action indicates the Christian desire to stamp out pagan practices.

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I am forever fascinated by how the catholic church made christianity more palatable to the pagans by incorporating pieces of pagan beliefs into the christian ones. This makes me think of how many Mary figures show Mary either standing ON or standing WITH a snake. I wonder if the ones WITH are old-school Brigid and if the ones trodding on the snake are (as the blurb above suggests) suggesting that Brigid has turned her back on her pagan past.


Other things I have read suggest that Brigid and "the Lady of the Lake" are one and the same because of her association with smithery.

What does all this have to do with Groundhog's Day?

Feb. 2 was the day that Brigid's *snake* would emerge from the ground to test the weather and tell how the rest of the winter would be. Somehow in America this became a groundhog....