February 2: Brigitte Irish Goddess of Fire / Imbolc / Candlemass

The 2nd day of the 2nd month (February) is special for the following reasons:

- Candlemass - celebrated by Christians.
- Saint Brigid's day - celebrated by the Irish (also on 1 February).
- Imbolc - dedicated to the Goddess of Bright Light - Brigid (Brigitte, Brigantia).

Imbolc has nothing to do with seasons or the northern or southern hemisphere. It is based on the placement of planets.  Sages and Gurus have known this for many ages.

Imbolc means 'in milk', 'ewe's milk', 'in the belly' or 'in the womb'. The Sun travels through Capricorn, the Goat's belly, from 27 January until 2 February.  The Goat, Sheep or Cow is sacred and revered as symbolic of our Holy Mother. For this reason, we do not eat them !


Brigid is the Irish goddess of the Sun, fire, inspiration, fertility, midwifery and healing. St Brigid was well-known for her healing ability. In the picture below we see, Brigid the Saint to the left, and Brigid the Goddess to the right. Brigid's wheel or cross is in the center. The cross is a symbol of protection.
On this day light a candle or make a fire in her honor and to invoke blessings. Offerings of milk, honey, sweets, fruit and flowers are made. As with all things in life Brigid has a yang (god / good) side and a yin (devil /evil) side. Brigid's good side lights the home fire's while her evil side scorches everything when she flies into a rage. All women named Brigid (Brigitte) radiate this energy. Brigid is also referred to as 'Mary of the Gael' and is the patron goddess of Ireland. Some instinctively know their other name is Mary. For example my own daughter Brigitte, refers to herself as Mary for the sake of simplicity. She has a tattoo of the Sun with a yin and yang sign on her right shoulder. She says the sun is to blind her enemies and the yin and yang is for love, balance and harmony.


Brigid rules Neptune and therefore rules intuition, psychic ability, healing, art and poetry. Brigid's psychic ability enables her to predict the future.


As a rule three candles should be lit by the stove everyday in Brigid's honor.





Brigid's planetary rulers are Sun, Saturn and Neptune (exalted in this position).

Saturn's blessings are long life, wealth and property.

Pour milk onto a black stone (symbolic of Saturn), to honor her. This is similar to the pouring of milk over the Shiva Lingam.

Yang Colors: Red, Gold and colorful.
Yin Colors: Black, Blue and Silver (white).
Fragrance: Sandalwood.

The Hindu celebration of Maha Shivaratri is very similar in meaning to Brigid's day. Shiva has Saturn's black stone, the cow / goat (Nandi) and Neptune's trident. Shiva has the 3rd eye, the blue color of Neptune and the new moon (sun and moon together). This year Maha Shivaratri will be celebrated on Saturday,  25th of February 2017. In search of ambrosia (immortality drink), ascended masters drank from the churning ocean of milk, only to discover that it was poisoned by demons. To save them, Lord Shiva swallowed the poison which turned his neck blue (Neptune).
One of the most famous prayers recited to lord Shiva on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri is the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, also known as the death-conquering mantra. Below are the words of the mantra in Sanskrit and a translation:

Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat

Translation: We meditate on the 3rd-eye reality, which permeates and nourishes all like a fragrance. May we be liberated from death for the sake of immortality, even as a cucumber is severed from bondage to the creeper.

On the night of Shivaratri, maidens who wish to marry stay awake and sing throughout the night. Offerings of milk, honey, sweets, fruit and flowers are made.

Praying, fasting and meditating on this day invokes blessings, and heals the following:  bad karma, bad health, bad luck.