Healing Songs

Gabhaim Molta Brighde

Explanation

This video is based on an ancient devotion to the divine feminine, personified by St. Brighde of Kildare, Ireland. Some scholars claim her role as Goddess as far back as Neolithic times. As human beings, we have always celebrated the fertility of the feminine, represented in the song Gabhaim Molta Brighde, 'In praise of Bridget', who was an acclaimed Irish Saint as well as a pre-Christian Goddess. Her memory is preserved in evidence of the tradition of female divinities prior to colonization, becoming a fusion of many indigenous female divinities, a title rather than a person. This song celebrates a feminine power known as: the heart in a life force of creativity and fertility, life giver, healer, mistress of birth. She is also known as the mistress of water, mountains, forests and animals. To the Scot Gaels, she is seen as a cosmic Mother, known as the eternal feminine within folk customs woven into the cycles of the year. Imbolc is one of the festivals celebrating the arrival of spring with songs and rituals. Briget in Scotland is known to be the inspiration of Motherhood, Goddess of fertility, childbirth, Goddess of fire and hearth, creativity and poetry to name a few. Known throughout Europe by different names:Brigantia, Brid, Briede, Brigdu, Brigid, Brighde – She has become a fusion of many indigenous female divinities, throughout many European cultures.

Gabhaim Molta Brighde is sung in Irish Gaelic, translated, as 'A Praise to Brighde.' Sung as an ancient prayer of fertility, invoking and rendering a blessing to the land. This song is known as a blessing song for Imbolc, a seasonal celebration, sung to the land in relationship to fertility rites and to raise the energy for spring growth. Women sang this song to the land during ceremonies, with fertility rituals, prayers and customary blessings.

There is some contention among scholars as to whether the melody is modern or traditional.