Brighid (Brigid, Brigit, Bride, Brighde)

Brighid is probably the most well survived deity and her popularity spans across multiple religions. Her name has several variations depending on country, time, or incarnation. She is popular, to this day, with both Pagans and Catholics.

Some believe that she is or is related to the ancient Goddess Brigantia or Britannia, while others maintain that they are separate deities. The Romans equated Brigantia and Britannia with their Minerva (and Greek Athena), a deity that has incredibly similar associations to Brighid, so it really is no stretch of thought to consider that Brighid, Brigantia, and Britannia could be related or different variations of the same entity. She is most definitely related to the Catholic Saint Brigid, as their associations mirror each other. This is no surprise considering many Gods and Goddesses were adapted as Saints when the new religion of Christianity came to the British Isles.

Brighid is the daughter of the Dagda, but her mother remains unknown. She is half sister to Oengus, Bo Dearg, and others. Sources often say she is one of three sisters, all named Brighid. While this seems odd to our modern minds, it is a common theme in Celtic mythos. Many deities come in three, three incarnations of themselves. Sometimes they are easily defined separately but related because they have different names and related but different traits, other times not. In this case, the three Brighid sisters are responsible for poetry, healing, and smith craft. The number three is considered an ideal and powerful number. It seems that when something appears in threes, it signifies and amplification of power or importance on that subject or entity.

Brighid is associated with fire, the sun, hearth and home. She brings and cares for new life, spring, healing, cattle and livestock. She breeds and nurtures creativity through poetry, smithing and crafts, wisdom, battle skill, protection, and intelligence. She is truly an all encompassing figure. No wonder she is a favorite!

Her other associations include serpents, boars, wells, and milk. Her holy day is Imbolc, which takes place on February 1st, which is also St. Brigid's Day.

She was married to Bres, a Formiorian, no doubt a political marriage. Her son was named Ruadan, who dies fighting for the Formorians, and through her mourning she invents the practice of keening (crying and singing). She also initiated the use of whistling while traveling at night to keep in good communication.

Brighid has a sacred temple that was tended to by 19 women. No man was allowed to enter. There are stories where a daring man or two decided to test this, and ended up either insane or injured. Other stories include her birth and adoption by Druids and Christians, her healing abilities, and her wit. often the lines between Goddess, Druid, and Saint are blurred. There are many stories, and if you would like to read more about them or about Brighid herself, I humbly encourage you to read this book: Brigid: Goddess, Druidess and Saint.

Lugh Lámhfhada (Lugh of the Long Arm)

Lugh is a solar god, and the son of Cian (Tuatha de Danann) and Ethniu (Formorian), and grandson of Balor of the Evil Eye through his mother Ethniu.

As the legend goes, it was prophesied that Balor would lose his life at the hands of his own grandson. To prevent this, Balor locked his daughter Ethniu in a tower so that she may never meet a man. But Cian, who was out for revenge against Balor for tricking him out of his prized cow, asks a faery woman (Birog) to magically transport him into the tower where Ethniu is kept. He seduces her, and she eventually gives birth to three children.

Upon learning this, Balor orders the babies to be drowned in a whirlpool, but one was dropped and rescued by Mananan (some sources say Birog), who then gives the child to Goibniu to foster. Lugh eventually did kill his grandfather Balor, using a sling stone.

As a young man, Lugh travels to the court of the Tuatha de Danann king, Nuada. Only individuals offering a unique skill may join the court. Lugh is proficient in many things including his skills as a smith (undoubtedly thanks to his foster father), poet, warrior, musician, and more, but the court of the Tuatha de Danann already comprises of individuals with these claims. Ultimately, Lugh asks the guard if there is any one person who possesses all of those skills. When the guard admits there is not such a person, Lugh is permitted to join the court and is given the title of Ollam, or "master," "highest rank."

Lugh has many names, including Lugh Lamhfhada, which translates "Lugh of the Long Arm." He is father to the warrior Cuchulainn (by Deichtine), and ruled Ireland for many years. He possessed several magical items including a spear, two swords, a dog, and a pig skin that healed wounds, some of which he gained through the sons of Tuireann in compensation for slaying his father Cian. He was also in possession of a boat called "Wave Sweeper" which he borrowed or acquired from Mananan (he seems to have borrowed a few of Mananan's things).

Tailtiu (Fir Bolg) was Lugh's foster mother, whom is revered so greatly he instituted an annual festival of games in her honor. This we know today as Lughnasadh which commonly occurs on August 1st. The festivities celebrate Lugh and harolds in the harvest season. The holiday is where the Irish word for August (Lunasa) comes from. Lugh is also credited with the invention of Fidchell, an Irish version of chess.

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About the work:

Here he is, Lugh the strong-armed sun God with the fiery surroundings of his forge. On the wall hangs some of his tools and weapons. His golden-haired head is haloed by a shield with a Le Tene style design that symbolizes his relationship with the sun. Before him is a game of Fidchell, ready to play. He wears a red striped tunic, a pattern and color well liked by the Celts. He has a look of confidence about his face, which is no surprise when you're as highly skilled as he is. There is a lot of symbolism associated with Lugh, too much to fit in unfortunately. Tucked in his belt is a sling shot, not exactly the weapon he would have used to slay Balor, but illustrating a true sling stone was not fitting well in the picture. For all the other items, I've tried to reproduce or be inspired by actual artifacts of the ancient Celtic age.