Despite St. Patrick
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If you're curious about the title or how this scene relates to St Patrick's Day, I won't make ya guess.
The Druidic Goddess, Brigid, lies in wait for many things. It was once believed she introduced the coming of Spring with the annual appearance of the clover, which represented her triple goddess attributes (maiden/mother/crone). Once a pagan himself, named Maewyn, St. Patrick traveled to Ireland (no ... he wasn't a native) to rid it of 'the snakes' which most scholars believe were really the Druids, since one of the most know healing symbols was the serpent (the caduceus symbol you see medical doctors still using today). St Patrick used a blend of Pagan symbols and, like most missionaries of his time, blended them and corrupted them to represent Christian symbols instead, in an attempt to convert the locals. One of which was the clover representing the father/son/holy spirit rather than maiden/mother/crone. To a degree, it worked. Christianity flooded Ireland like everywhere else. But did it really win? Brigid was still so embedded in the hearts and minds of the people, that the Catholic church demoted her to a Saint, rather than a Goddess, and proclaimed her St Patrick's wife after his death. They then build a monastery on top of her temple. I guess they couldn't stop the pilgrimages and rituals to Brigid, so they decided if they couldn't stop the people from worshiping her, they'll make themselves feel better thinking she's catholic ... lol. |
To this day, Brigid is honored in Ireland and the world over as the Goddess and bringer of Spring and fertility. The cloves is still the national symbol and the Irish still remember her ... Despite St Patrick.
Being American, who really treat St Patty's Day differently then those in Ireland, tend to think its all about the drinking, green, and little cute fairies. It SORTA is ... but we kinda miss the point. ;P
Being American, who really treat St Patty's Day differently then those in Ireland, tend to think its all about the drinking, green, and little cute fairies. It SORTA is ... but we kinda miss the point. ;P
I hope ya'll enjoy the Spring and my representation of Brigid daydreaming ...
Signed prints available: http://AidanaWillowRaven.imagekind.com/WillowRaven
