'Hello Spring'- St. Brigid's Cross

Today heralds the beginning of spring, and the feast day of St. Brigid; one of Ireland’s earliest recorded saints, appearing in annuals from the 5th century. She is a highly regarded saint amongst Irish people, and traditions associated with her were deeply rooted in Irish life and customs. Many of these may not be practiced anymore, but the most enduring one of the St. Brigids cross is still a common ritual today. On the eve of St. Brigid’s day, people would venture out to scythe rushes from the boggy wetlands, and fashion them into a beautiful woven cross. The style of the cross most likely has pagan origins, as Brigid was a goddess from the legendary  Tuatha Dé Danann, and was celebrated on the pagan spring festival of Imbolc. The cross would be hung over the doorways, windows and fireplaces to warn off evil spirits, bad luck and fire in the home.

I decided to make my very first St. Brigid’s cross today. Most Irish school children were taught to make them in class, but I’m guessing my school skipped on that lesson. So, I taught myself with some guidance from this helpful video to make my first one from rushes I harvested from around the bog on our farm.

Once you start making them, it’s such a therapeutic process, and it’s quite easy to end up with several lovely bright green crosses in an hour. I’ve made one for my studio, our house and the milking parlour, and I’ve had several requests from family members. I think it will be a busy day and evening ahead of me.