St. Brighid’s Day
Snowdrop’s
St. Brighid is one of Ireland’s patron saints, and today she is celebrated.This day also signify’s in Gaelic, the beginning of spring. It’s one of those ancient celebrations that can trace it’s roots back into Pagan days. Interestingly, it may be a forerunner of our Groundhog Day. In the old tradition people would watch for serpents or badgers leaving their winter dens. A Scottish-Gaelic poem about the day,
Thig an nathair as an toll
Là donn Brìde,Ged robh trì troighean dhen t-sneachd
Air leac an làir.
“The serpent will come from the hole
On the brown Day of Bríde, Though there should be three feet of snow On the flat surface of the ground.”
I had never heard of St. Brighid’s day. A nurseryman in Ireland commented on my picture of Snowdrops blooming at the nursery. He said his too we’re in bloom, and mentioned the celebration. I like it as it connects me with a time long ago. It marks the changing seasons with celebrations based on the light in the sky, and not on whether it could be moved to a Monday so as to avail ourselves of a three day holiday. St Brighid’s day always falls on the 1′st of February.
It does seem to be getting a little brighter at 5 pm.
Hello Trey …St Bridgit passed this way yesterday and we had our busiest day of the year as yet …blue skies most of the day forecast not so good but spring is here !!Children in our schools make St Bridgits crosses and prayers are said at a local holy well that Bridgit is said to have visited in the far distant past !This connection with the earth is so important !Scroll back on our pergola nurseries fan page(jan 31st) for more info on our saint !!Best Wishes,Donal
Donal,
I was unsure how much people still celebrated there. Sounds like people still remember and celebrate. Nice to know. Cheers!
Best wishes for a new gardening year ,snow threat again this week …stop and start spring !!As we say here……….. KEEP IT LIT …..chat soon ,Donal