#brigid bed

[dvoeverie-stitches]

I don’t always do things by exact dates, but often take my cues from nature. With so much of my practice having Slavic roots I associate the coming holy days with Perun and thunder—so the thunderstorm last night told me it was time to start!

I went ahead and decided that I would put out my Brigid doll and her bed for two nights instead of just the one, and then we will flow into Hromnice/Candlemas.

I also put out offerings of bread and cheese and a plum liquor made by @msgraveyarddirt that I’ve been saving for a special occasion.

The written invitation welcoming “Brede” into the home were recorded on the Isle of Man in the 18th century.

[dvoeverie-stitches]

Excerpts from Ronald Hutton’s Stations of the Sun on Folk Practices Concerning St. Brigid

Interspersed are photos of my own Brigid Dollies, beds, and crosses.

[dvoeverie-stitches]

Pictured Brigid’s bed and doll 2021

St. Brigid’s Eve To Do List

1. Make Brigid doll

2. Hang Brigid cross in welcome

3. Make Brigid bed

4. Prepare Bread and cheese to set out for her.

5. Plan a supper (leaning towards stuffed pork steaks and colcannon from the Irish cookbook my granny gifted me).

6. Put out a St. Brigid’s cloak or snippet of embroidery to be blessed by the Saint for protection in the coming year.

Plans are mostly based on folk customs gathered in Ronald Hutton’s book, Stations of the Sun.

Pictured: Brigid’s Bed and doll 2020

And snakes because:

La Féill Bríd - snakes, fire and lustration in midwinter.

This day is special to a lot of folks. As a metaphor for Spring, or hope in the mid winter snow, it represents the rekindling of our desire