Light from the goddess
When the Celtic calendar gradually overtook a timekeeping method perfected by ancestral
markers in stone of sun and moon times, the Great Mother, cult goddess of primitive
northern cultures, also merged with the goddess of the spring - Bride or Brigantia, in
later Celtic Christianity, Brigid or Saint Bride.
As the Earth Mother in her Maiden aspect, she was supreme at a time known to the ancients
for ewes giving their first milk, this precious liquid providing sustenance not only for
lambs, but for humans hardy enough to have survived a northern winter. Emerging into the
light of Candlemas or Imbolc, the maiden Bride was celebrated on February 2nd, symbolising
the earth's return to life. Her image or tiny effigy was created in a ceremony, less
well-known than that of her autumn guise, the Clyack sheaf (see FOGS Lughnasadh newsletter
vol.VII number 3, 1996). Just as the Clyack was woven from harvest straw into a 'corn
dolly', at the beginning of spring a miniature Bride was made by women from clay, dressed
in white and laid in a basket-cradle with a white stone or a crystal placed on her breast
and candles lit around her. The cot-like symbolism is a clear cry to Mother Earth to thank
her for deliverance through winter and to ask her for fertility in the new season. In some
versions of the ceremony, Bride's white dress was adorned with snowdrops, virtually the
only flower brave enough to grace the earth at this time and with feathers from 'a red
bird'.
Here symbolism similar to Christianity of red & white, body and blood, is that of
life. While harvest songs have survived which were sung by men to celebrate a fruitful
year, the sacred music for Candlemas was sung by women.
- 'On the feast day of Bride
The serpent shall come from his hole
I shall not molest the serpent
Nor shall he molest me' - Ancient Candlemas Rhyme
Like the American Groundhog, the serpent was said to come out of his winter quarters on
Candlemas and foretell the rest of winter. Bride's Day was anciently celebrated as the
festival of the earth goddess back in her maiden form, heralding new beginnings.
The right of the author to the above material and research is asserted; any duplication of
this material should include the author's copyright ©1998-2000Marian Youngblood
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Editor Marian Youngblood
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