This site is a personal shrine-journal expressing my thoughts, meditations and research on Bride (Brigid, Brigit etc.) While I personally work within the framework of Gaelic Polytheism, I respect that Bride is honoured in other traditions including Celtic Christianity as a Saint. It is my belief that some of the traditions associated with the Saint stem from those belonging to the pre-Christian goddess, however it is also possible that St. Brigid was a living, seperate individual who only shared a name with the daughter of the Daghda. I remain open minded to Bride as both Goddess and Saint and honour both as aspects of her being.
Gaelic Polytheism and Celtic Reconstruction religions place a strong emphasis on research from historical sources and records of folklore, and in keeping with this I do my best to reference scholarly sources and include my sources in each post. That said, as this is a personal praxis much of what I post and discuss here will be Unverified Personal Gnosis (UPG) which I will always label as such and do not expect others to recognise as truth, fact or tradition.
It is my personal opinion that the CR and GP communities serve as a whole to promote research and provide education to the highest levels of scholarship. However in Personal Practise I believe UPG is equally valid and indeed important, as we take our guidance first from the Gods, Ancestors and Spirits and secondly from learned peoples and elders.
A note on pronunciation:
Bride is the Scots Gaelic spelling of Brigit/Brigit, it is correctly written with the accent: í which indicates the ‘ee’ sound, as in ‘feed.’ I do not use the accent on this site as I’ve yet to figure out a keyboard shortcut for it.
There does not seem to be a univerally correct pronunciation of Bride (it varies locally) however the first vowel should always have the ‘ee’ sound. Some pronounce Her name ‘breed’ or ‘breet’ but personally I prefer a soft consonant ‘bree-ja’ as this is how I have heard it pronounced by native speakers.
3 comments
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April 14, 2011 at 1:30 pm
Helena
I like your blog, its thoughtful, intelligent and reverent, but also beautifully designed.
September 21, 2011 at 3:56 pm
Lyra Rose
I also prefer the “Bree-ja” pronunciation, but I always include a “t” on the end. Just how I’ve always pronounced it~
January 7, 2013 at 12:12 am
richard
I am originally from Scotland and have been living in Australia (currently in the Blue Mountains) for the last 30 years. I have been contemplating returning to Scotland and a mysterious chain of events led me to Bride and your blog…..which (I agree with the other comment) is full of beauty and reverence. Thank you. May all be well and happy with you