Brigid's Flame Keeping

Brigid's Flame Keeping is a Celtic festival. The sacred flame of Brigid, goddess of poetry, smithcraft, and healing, was tended by nineteen priestesses at Kildare—with Brigid herself keeping the flame on the twentieth day. Imbolc (February 1), Brigid's festival in the Celtic calendar, is when practitioners keep the flame burning through the night as an act of devotion. The flame is never to go out.

The sacred flame of Brigid, goddess of poetry, smithcraft, and healing, was tended by nineteen priestesses at Kildare—with Brigid herself keeping the flame on the twentieth day. Imbolc (February 1), Brigid's festival in the Celtic calendar, is when practitioners keep the flame burning through the night as an act of devotion. The flame is never to go out.

Here is how to celebrate Brigid's Flame Keeping: - Light a candle at dusk and keep it burning through the night as Brigid's flame - Begin a new creative project or craft in Brigid's honor - Offerings: white flowers, milk, silver, flame - Journal on what you want to carry into the new year as your sacred fire

The spiritual theme of Brigid's Flame Keeping: Tending the flame—devotion through the coldest night. Reflection prompts: What is the creative fire you want to carry into this new year? What does it mean to tend something sacred—to keep a flame burning that others might let go out?

The deities honored at Brigid's Flame Keeping are: Brigid, Bride. The sacred flame of Brigid, goddess of poetry, smithcraft, and healing, was tended by nineteen priestesses at Kildare—with Brigid herself keeping the flame on the twentieth day. Imbolc (February 1), Brigid's festival in the Celtic calendar, is when practitioners keep the flame burning through the night as an act of devotion.

Historical sources for Brigid's Flame Keeping include: Giraldus Cambrensis—Topographia Hiberniae (12th cent., reporting pre-Christian practice at Kildare); Cath Maige Tuired—Brigid as a goddess of crafts and lament.