Traditional Brigit's CrossThe mystical Scottish writer, Fiona McLeod, had a vision that in the coming aeon Christ would return as a woman: the second coming would be the return of Bride. She wrote:
"I believe that though the Reign of Peace may be yet a long way off, it is drawing near; and that Who shall save us anew shall come divinely as a Woman – but whether through mortal birth, or as an immortal breathing upon our souls, none can yet know. Sometimes I dream of the old prophecy that Christ shall come again upon Iona; and of that later prophecy which foretells, now as, the Bride of Christ, now as the Daughter of God, now as the Divine Spirit embodied through mortal birth – the coming of a new Presence and Power; and dream that this may be upon Iona, so that the little Gaelic island may become as the little Syrian Bethlehem. But more wise is it to dream, not of hallowed ground, but of the hallowed gardens of the soul, wherein She shall appear white and radiant. Or that, upon the hills, where we are wandered, the Shepherdess shall call us home."
How to Make a Brigit's Cross
Gather together:
3 dozen wheat straws, grasses, reeds, or rushes which are the same length
String for tying ends
A clothespin for holding the center of the weaving together while working (optional)
Directions:
Soak your weaving materials in hot water about thirty minutes or until they are flexible. Various materials may require longer soaking times. Remove the straws from the water and wrap them in a damp cloth to keep them flexible while weaving.
Imagine the face of a clock measuring the year of time. Place one straw vertically pointing towards 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock. Fold a second straw in half around the center of the first pointing towards 3 o'clock. Fold the next straw in half and place it over the second straw pointing towards 6 o'clock. Fold the next straw over straw one and three pointing towards 9 o'clock. Continue to work in a circular pattern of folded straws, progressing outward, carefully weaving straws side-by-side. Tighten straws and reposition to fill in gaps when needed.
As you move around the circular pattern, meditate on the progression of the woven events in the seasons of your life, past and present. Visualize what you desire to manifest in the coming year as each straw weaves a dream for the future.
When at least 28 straws have been woven for the center of the cross, tie off each arm of the cross, leaving about 3 inches of straw to create the arm. Trim ends evenly.
Another Type of Brigit's CrossThe traditional time to make Brigit’s Crosses is after the evening meal on the eve of February 1st. In Ireland, all the members of the household made the crosses together, so try it with your family or group of friends.
Traditionally, a young girl representing Brigit brings the materials into the house. She should go outside and knock three times, saying after each knock:
“Go down on your knees, do homage, and let Blessed Brigit enter the house.”
After the third time, all inside respond: “Oh, come in, Brigit, you are a hundred times welcome!”
Hang the crosses over your front door and leave them there to protect the house with Brigit’s blessing until the following year. Children’s crosses are traditionally hung above their beds so that Brigit will protect them through the night.
