Research Project

"Wiccans have much knowledge about goddesses and gods. As you have learnt in the lesson this is because they have a sophisticated view of deity that expresses the various forces to be found in existence.

This month we would like you to research a goddess and a god that takes your interest. You may wish to add to your knowledge of the deities outlined in the lesson, or you may want to explore deities entirely of your own choosing. Finding a goddess and a god that you can relate to will be important in your personal magical development for a variety of reasons. They will become a part of your daily life, not only as a source for inspiration but will also allow you to work with the forces that they represent through rites and rituals, as well as the practice of magic.

There are many ways of tackling this project and in your research make sure that you at least consider the following:

Origins in time and place

Lineage

What the deity symbolises

Powers and properties

Associated stories or myths"

Bride, also known as Brighid, Brigid, Brigit and Brid
Origins in time and place - Ireland; Wales
Lineage - Celtic
What the deity symbolises - fertility, inspiration & healing; perpetual, sacred flames; flocks, cattle, water, victory
Powers and properties - triple goddess; ruler of arts and crafts and especially the skills of poetry, smith craft and medicine; Music is also sacred to her and she was a patron of the Bards. She is often likened to the spirit of the grain and corn dollies are traditionally made to honour and represent her; divination
Associated stories or myths - home and hearth; daughter of the Dagda (the supreme god of Celtic mythology); Brighid’s snake emerges from the womb of the Earth Mother to test the weather, (the origin of Ground Hog Day); wife to Bres, an agricultural God; had a sacred temple at Kildare, where 19 priestesses tended a holy flame that was never extinguished. The flame represented Brigid, as the Goddess of fire and forge;The flame was put out in the 18th century by Bishops who became angry at the all-female convent, because they wouldn’t allow men within its walls. In 1993, the flame was relit by the Brigidine sisters of Ireland; In Cath Maige Tuireadh, Bríg (sic) invents keening while mourning for Ruadán (her son by Bres), slain while fighting for the Fomorians. She is credited in the same passage with inventing a whistle used for night travel; goddess of all things perceived to be of relatively high dimensions such as high-rising flames, highlands, hill-forts and upland areas; and of activities and states conceived as psychologically lofty and elevated, such as wisdom, excellence, perfection, high intelligence, poetic eloquence, craftsmanship (especially blacksmithing), healing ability, druidic knowledge and skill in warfare;

Lugh
Origins in time and place - Ireland
Lineage - a reflex of the pan-Celtic god Lugus, and his Welsh counterpart is Lleu Llaw Gyffes "Lugh Strong Hand"
What the deity symbolises - harvest god
Powers and properties - kingship, the Sun, trade, craftsmanship, tricksters, youthful exuberance and shining light; skill with a spear or sling
Associated stories or myths - great monarch & hero; His father and mother’s marriage was likely designed to ease tensions between his father’s tribe the Tuatha Dé Danann and the Formorians who were his mother’s people.  When he reached manhood Lugh travelled to Tara to join the court of King Nuada of the Tuatha Dé Danann. He was eventually given command over the Tuatha Dé, and set about waging a successful campaign against the oppressive Fomorians, finally freeing the Tuatha De Danann from tyranny; hero & high king

http://www.magickaschool.com/freeCourses/index.php?pageNum_rsCourseContent=2&totalRows_rsCourseContent=5&course=6&part=2
http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/celticpanth/p/brigid.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigid
http://www.paralumun.com/celticgoddess.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lugh