BELOVED GODDESS SAINT BRIGID

Goddess Saint Brigid, in " FLAMING ARROW " by Helena Nelson - Reed

Flaming Arrow is one of many names for the beloved goddess-saint Brighid, to whom fire of hearth and smithy was sacred.  I rendered this in a more illustrative style than usual and was striving for an iconic effect rather than portrait. Many of her associations are represented here, while a few symbols, like sheep, are not depicted because this image focuses on her flaming aspect. These aspects include clear sight, telepathy, intuition, inspiration, the fire that melts base metals and allows the smith to forge iron tools, stainless steel weaponry, bronze shields, or silver and gold jewelry. The other aspect of the goddess Brighid that inspires me is her creative energy. If you are familiar with some of the old Celtic tales of this goddess-saint you'll recognize the symbols.

About halfway through completing this painting I lost energy and focus, as if the image was obscured by a thick smokescreen. I didn't even want to finish her!   My practice at these moments is moving right into another image or two and not obsessing over the matter.  The painting leaned against a wall behind a drafting table and was eventually covered with matt boards, scrap, and other paintings. A few months later, while looking for stuff to toss out, I found her. I'd forgotten about this painting and looked at it a few moments before remembering it, thinking how odd this memory lapse was, and wondering what my problem had been with the image because I could see it was coming along alright.  The energy came back full tilt.  The completed image was not in my head nor the solution to the design problems, but an innate confidence filled me.  I knew that sitting down before the painting with “thinking mind” set aside and intuitive conduits wide open, the painting would complete itself. Enthusiasm was back, my hands knew what to do, and in a few days she was finished. I still don’t know why this  sometimes occurs, but I think it’s a good lesson about walking away and moving on from some paintings (and situations) instead of banging one’s head against a brick wall.  Better to just get on with the next project(s).  In time the fog lifts, meaning and understanding make themselves known, and the work can continue.

Delicate grass snakes were associated with Brighid, maybe
because they were observed to emerge from hibernation on
the first warm days of spring?

The important aspect seems not to be so much about a duration of time, but a redirecting of conscious focus in other directions for a short while and becoming engaged in the new challenge. Meanwhile the subconscious keeps right on sorting the matter through without emotions and doubts plaguing the process.  Eventually a solution pops in, sometimes waking me right out of sleep, telling me exactly what needs to be done. This trusting, deeper knowing and discerning of the difference between ego generated or capricious needs and soul-speak varies from person to person. Some are born with it, others, like me, learn by  chance, experience and lots of whopping mistakes.

The arctic goose is often associated with Brigid, recognize them by the white body with black wing tips

This saint and goddess has so many associations its difficult to include them all in one  blog entry!

It was the Flame of Brighid regarding this 

painting of herself that illuminated 

the dark corridors of my creativity.

Many thanks to my friend DoAn, who edited this and all my other descriptions in preparation for my upcoming book (which could take years at the rate I'm going, so all in good time)


PART II, 'IMBOLC', NEXT!  IMBOLC BLESSINGS OF LIGHT AND WARMTH TO         ALL OF YOU.

All text and images copyright Helena Nelson Reed

My art and writing are not public domain,do not reproduce...thank you for honoring creative and intellectual copyrights!