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| Brigid's Bed |
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| A lot of Pagans construct a Brigid's Bed for their Imbolc celebration. At Imbolc the aspect of the Goddess has shifted from the Crone to the Maiden. At Lughnasadh a Corn dolly, or 'Corn Mother' can be made from straw, wheat or other grains. This symbolizes the Goddess in her Mother form. She can be hung around the house, or stored away untill Imbolc when she makes her return as the Corn Maiden. During the autum she rests, just as the Goddess rests in the Underworld, or the Land of Spirit. Now that she has regained her youth, she re-emerges to bring fertility back to the land.. We make this bed to welcome Brigid (the Goddess) back to the earth. A priapic wand (wand tipped with an acorn or pinecone) along side of her to represent the God and fertility. To make a Brigid's Bed, you need a few things. First you need the bed. This can be a wooden doll cradle, a wooden basket, or a basket made from corn or wheat sheaths. You also need a Corn Dolly. If you have one from Lughnasadh than that will be used. She should be dressed as a bride, so you can wrap her in white cloth or lace, and give her a necklace or crown. You also need the priapic wand to symbolize the God. Just take a small branch and glue a pine cone or acorn to the tip. You can wrap a red ribbon around the wand too if you want. The bed itself can be dressed with flowers and ribbons, or anything else to represent fertility and the awakening of the earth. On Imbolc, you can light a red and white candle on both side of the bed and say something like "Blessed be the Corn Bride! Blessed be the Great Mother!" or "Welcome Brigid, To your bed and cover. Blessed be the Maiden, Blessed be the Mother." or "Brigid is come -- Brigid is welcome!" (Repeated three times) You can place her on your altar during the Imbolc ritual, and the next day she can br hung (without the dress) around the house to bring luck and prosperity. |