Brigit is a Christopagan Era Irish Goddess

Brigit is a goddess who survived the onslaught
of catholic Christopaganism. She wasn't turned into a devil like so
many other goddesses. So great was the love of the Irish Celtic people
for this deity, that they retained all her characteristics as a
pagan-catholic saint! They would not have had anything to do with
catholicism (pagan christianity) if they couldn't keep Brigit. So the
catholic church had no choice but to make her a nun and a saint. She is a
triple goddess. This triple aspect of the goddess is where catholics
got the idea of exploiting the Trinity concept. The three-leaf shamrock
was originally of "The Three Mothers", as well as the three phases of
the moon being her symbols. She shares some attributes with the ancient
Greek triple goddess Hecate.

There is a Swedish St Bridget also. Brigit's
fame has been far and wide. Even as far as Africa, having come to Haiti
in the hearts of deported Irish and Scottish indentured servants.
However she went through a radical transformation, and her distant
relative Maman Brigitte bears little resemblance, being rather a goddess
of vengence. She, did, however, retain the healing aspects, being
called on to cure those at death's door.

Brigit is known by various names, Brigit being
the most ancient form. The name variations are: Brighid, Bride
(Scottish), Brid, Brigit, Bridget, Brigantia (English), Brigan, Brigindo
(Gaul) and Brigandu. Her name derives from her worship by the
pre-christian Brigantes, who honored her as identical with Juno, Queen
of Heaven. Into the 18th Century, her sacred flame was tended, at first,
by priestesses, who later became catholic nuns, when the pagan shrine became a convent,
at Kildare, Ireland. These nineteen virgin priestesses (called nuns by
the catholic church) were called 'Daughters of the Flame'. No man was
ever allowed near. In fact, these women had other women in the village
bring them their necessary supplies so they wouldn't have to deal with
men. This no-men policy infuriated the catholic church. Because they
would not submit themselves to inspection by a priest, the bishop
ordered the sacred flame to be extinguished. Even so, Brigit remained
Ireland's most popular saints, and in 1993, the Brigidine sisters of
Ireland rekindled her flame at Kildare.

Brigit's triple aspects are of Inspiration, Smithcraft, and of Healing.

As the goddess of Inspiration,
she blesses poetry, creativity, prophecy and the arts. She was even
esteemed as the patron diety of language, having inspired the alphabet.

As the goddess of Smithcraft, she blesses blacksmiths, goldsmiths, and other crafters of the household.

As goddess of Healing, she blesses physical and spiritual healing, fertility of crop and livestock and mid-wifery.

Imbolc (Candlemas and Groundhog Day),
the Celtic spring festival, honors Brigit. The Druids called this
sacred holiday Oimelc, meaning "ewe's milk". Held on February 1st or
2nd, it celebrated the birthing and freshening of sheep and goats. The
catholic version of Imbolc (Candlemas), also, involves much elaborate
rituals and feasting, and to this very day, many Irish homes have a St
Brigit's cross for protection, still made from rushes as in days of old.