For the past several years I've been making Brigid's Crosses. Lord only knows how many lifetimes I've been creating them, if you subscribe to the reincarnation concept. Another similar (in a way) sort of thing I picked up and immediately knew how to make is a "Dream Catcher". That sort of weaving the spider web design happens on a hoop or a long, pliable stick that can be tied at the ends, but for Brigid's Crosses, you need straw or preferably, a rush plant, and I have one!
This years rush crop wasn't as prolific as past years, but I did some research and they tend to get a bit worn out if they're not harvested annually. Good thing I had two more that I'd transplanted. That's the corner of my garden. It's basically a swamp.
The first time I tried to make a cross was at a women's gathering honoring Brigid's Flame during the Feast of St. Brigid. We were at a farm in Oregon about seven years ago, and I kept messing up the design at first. If you're like me though, I find it very difficult to make anything with someone looming over me, telling me what I'm doing right or wrong. I need time on my own, and given that, I'll conquer just about anything. Such was the way with Brigid's Crosses.
Look at all that Silver Hair. I'm the one in the back with the purple tinges.
I knew a little about the history of these crosses before I began making them, and learned more as I became very involved with my ladies. The crosses are typically created the night before the Feast of Saint Brigid which is February 1, however they are part of an older tradition called Imbolc, which some think goes as far back as neolithic times and pagans lighting fires to encourage the longer days. It's not the beginning of Spring, however Imbolc does mark the halfway point between Spring and Winter, so one could say that it's a hopeful look in the right direction.
The crosses are placed on the door of your home the night before Imbolc, or St. Brigid's day, to make certain that the home would receive the blessing of St. Brigid, thus ensuring safe habitation, and fertile gardens. I have a little basket next to my front door where I keep one.
We know that many pagan holidays were replaced with Christian meaning, it was one way to bring more people to the new God. It's like quitting smoking, you have to replace the habit with something else, or you're going to slip back into your heathen tobacco addiction. I think I shall always have my heathen tobacco addiction, but I digress.
Brigid is my patron Goddess, and if I have to lean into a Christian theme, I can, but I feel more of a positive energy and intention while making my crosses by thinking of an older and far more powerful woman than some pious and condescending nun. Catholic school wasn't good for my hands, I can still feel the slap of a ruler over my knuckles from time to time. It's not a fairy tale, those nuns walking up and down the classroom like a soldier for a vengeful and mean God, waiting to smack your hands for sinning. Or sneezing. I can't believe I got whacked for sneezing. My Brigid would give me a tissue, and not scold me for allergies.
My question yesterday though, was what to do with those older, and seasoned Brigid's Crosses? I have quite a few in my home now, and each year I give fresh ones to my friends. Older prayer flags should be burned, their smoke filling the air like final prayers going to source, so I gathered up a few of the older crosses not hidden in my garden or around my house and decided to have a special fire. Something nudged me in the back of my mind though, my intuition suggested that I do some research before I lit the first match.
Turns out, these crosses can be burned, and the ashes disposed of gently in your yard or garden, but it's best if they are actually just buried in your garden. Which makes sense, because Brigid is the Goddess of Agriculture and farming, not just fertility for the body, but also for the body of earth! So now I have a new Springtime Ritual. I'll bury them on the Spring Equinox! I'm a sucker for rituals, and each time I can add to my repertoire of things to do with my heathen, the happier we all are.
Keep in mind that you can make one of these crosses to celebrate any occasion, they aren't just for February 1 or Imbolc. They can be to honor the birth of a child, moving into a new home or a wedding. They can mark any number of happy moments. My youngest grand daughter just celebrated her sixth birthday on February 2nd, she's getting a Brigid's Cross from her Ginga!
If you would like your own Brigid's Cross, I'll be happy to make you one, just find me at my Etsy Shoppe or here's a video that's quite simple to follow. Thanks for reading, and may your days be long, may your garden be fertile!
