Goddess Musings from Sharon

 

Many moons ago (more than either of us care to remember) my seven year old daughter came to me and pointed to the legs of her jeans to bring them to my attention. The hems were rapidly encroaching upon the territory usually reserved for capris. Poor little goddess!! "We need to go shopping. I think I've had another "growth sprout!", she exclaimed. Growth sprout, indeed! I knew she meant "growth spurt", but "sprout" really does seem, well . . . perfect! This delightful memory comes to mind each year when spring arrives. Today, in my part of the world, the daffodils are bursting out and all green things are sprouting, filled with that marvelous possibility of growth. New life is arriving. If asked, all those bulbs and buds would no doubt tell you that all that budding and sprouting can indeed be a tad uncomfortable and disconcerting at times. After all, that's why we talk of "growing pains". But grow we must. It's what we were put on this earth to do -- to learn who we are and to be who we are and to express all that uniqueness out into the world. In the spring we marvel at the newness of life around us. Intuitively, and with emotion, we enjoy the richness of all the possibilities that growth can bring, And that's a lesson from the . . .

Myths of Brigid, the Celtic Triple Goddess Who Became a Christian Saint Brigid, the Celtic goddess of fire (the forge and the hearth), poetry, healing, childbirth, and unity, is celebrated in many European countries. She's a goddess known by many names in many countries. One of them is Saint Brigid who is one the most powerful religious figure in Irish history, right up there with Saint Patrick (who she probably prevented from running all the snakes, aka Druids, out of Ireland). It is said that wherever Brigid walked tiny flowers and shamrocks would spring up from the soil. Born at the exact moment of daybreak, Brigid rose into the sky with the sun, rays of fire beaming from her head. As a sun goddess her gifts are light (knowledge), inspiration, and the vital and healing energy of the sun. The Brigid first worshipped in ancient times was the daughter of the great Irish god Dagda, the 'Good Father'. She had two sisters who were also named Brigid. Taken together, they were called the 'Three Mothers', 'Three Sisters', or simply the Goddess Brigid. Different than in Greek mythology where the Triple Goddess represents the three developmental stages of a woman's life (Maiden, Matron, and Crone), the Irish Bridgets were all of the same generation and the distinctions between them were based on their areas of divine responsibility. Brigid (the Fire of the Hearth) was in charge of fertility, family, childbirth and healing. Brigid (the Fire of the Forge) was, like the Greek goddess Athena, a patroness of the crafts (especially weaving, embroidery, and metalsmithing). And, like Athena, she was also responsible for justice, law and order. Brigid (the Fire of Inspiration) was the muse of poetry, song, history and the protectress of cultural learning. Her feast day, known as Imbolc, is celebrated near the end of winter. It is, like the goddess herself, meant to give us hope, to remind us that spring and change are on their way. Read the intriguing myths of the Goddess Brigid here. . . Back to the lesson of the knee-hi blue jeans: As a young, working mother struggling to keep too many balls in the air at one time, I often felt I was frequently failing at one thing or another. Bet you know that feeling too.           But the lesson of the goddesses is something quite different. As a wise one once said,       "The true enemy of the good is the perfect." There is little point in agonizing over one's mistakes and imperfections. It's ever so much better to view them as learning experiences. I gave up all dreams of perfection years ago. Life has been easier ever since.   Adding a Bit of Goddess-ness to Your Life Let Your Goddess Personality Shine Out Into This World Even the goddesses weren't perfect -- each had her own flaws and challenges, her lessons to learn. The Goddess Quiz helps you discover the goddess whose personality most closely resembles your own. This goddess holds the key to your inner power. Because, without a doubt, your personality is the single most important factor in determining how you respond to life's challenges. It drives the success of your career, your relationships, your health and your happiness. It's what "makes you tick." Your personalized Goddess Report will show you how to apply your goddess personality to your work, life and relationships, allowing you to express yourself as the woman you were meant to be. Take the Goddess QuizToday!                       Visit Us at Goddess Gift.com and take the Goddess Quiz   In closing,    a reminder to... Take time to smell the flowers, to notice the vibration of this wondrous world we live in, and to celebrate the possibilities in your life. Then sprout and grow! Sharon