Sacred Smithing -- A Whole Nother Marriage Ritual

from Goddess Temple Weddings


My friend Sister Oystercatcher sent me the Samhain newsletter from Glastonbury, and my attention was grabbed by one of the elements they offer in their wedding ceremonies: sacred smithing. They don't mention Brigit but those of you dedicated to Brigit, Smith might want to consider something like this when you tie the knot.

Pre-Wedding Ceremony   Sacred Smithing As part of your Sacred marriage experience we are pleased to offer you a new and exciting workshop for couples! Sacred Smithing is held by our wonderful Smith Dave Goddard (also known as Hugs). It is a deep ritual journey of connection to the elements through the ancient craft of blacksmithing. Hugs will take you on a ceremonial journey to create your very own sacred object or a heart or circle. This will be done in ceremony, using the sacredness of the four elements. Your creation will be woven into your bespoken wedding ceremony on the day. Joanne and Stefan were one of the couples that got married this year. They did the Sacred Smithing in July. Here is what they said about it... "The Sacred Smithing was something else! it was such a gorgeous experience that it makes me well up thinking about it. Dave is an amazing, interesting person and a great tutor! We went into the smithy thinking that we would turn out something that would vaguely look like a heart, but we forged something so beautiful together, such a great thing to do as part of the wedding preparation - would totally recommend it!"

Triple Brigid Talisman by Morpheus Ravenna

Triple Brigid Talisman: Lady of Poetry, Skill, and Fire

$35.00 – $45.00

Description

This talisman honors Brigid, Irish and Scottish Goddess of poetry, healing, smithcraft, fire, and many other bright things. She also called Brig, Brigit, Brid, and is closely related to the Gallo-Brittonic divinities Brigantia and Brigindona.

The name Brigid is thought to derive from the root *brig signifying high or exalted, and is sometimes translated Exalted One. We see this same root in place-names referring to raised hillforts. In Irish and Scottish folklore, Brigid is linked to Saint Brigid and many believe the saint to be a survival of the pre-Christian pagan Goddess. She is often spoken of as a triad, the Three Brigits. She is said to be a midwife and is called upon to bless births of children and animals, to help protect the herds and the milk supply, and for healing. Milk and milk products have a special association with healing and purification in Celtic thought, and She is connected to both. She is associated with craftsmanship, especially blacksmithing, and is seen by many as the embodiment of the fire that heats the forge. She is worshiped at holy wells throughout Ireland, where the upwelling and flowing of waters are also expressions of the deep well of wisdom and its flowing out in the form of inspiration and poetry. Thus, She is also the Lady of poets and poetic inspiration.

The front of this talisman shows Brigid in triple form, the flames of poetic inspiration rising above each of the three faces. She carries a spear and a vessel of milk, reflecting Her role in Celtic warrior culture, as the Goddess who receives the returning warrior bands from their winter raiding, purifying them with milk or butter to wash the warrior’s mark from them and bring them peacefully back into the fold of settled society. Her stance and position within the archway echoes images of Brigantia from Britain. The words here say Duine úallach / Brigit búadach: “Proud lady / Victorious Brigid”.

The back of the talisman displays a triple St. Brigid’s Cross, a folk charm traditionally woven of straw or reeds in honor of the saint and the Goddess. Between its three arms, Her implements are displayed: hammer and anvil as Lady of the Forge; cauldron and flame as Lady of Healing; and harp as Lady of Poetry. These are framed by poetic lines adapted from the Carmina Gadelica: Lasair dhealrach oir / Muime chorr dée / Bride nighinn Daghda; “Radiant flame of gold / Noble foster-mother of Gods / Bride daughter of the Dagda”. (The original lines in the Carmina Gadelica reference Christian ideas associated with St. Brigid; this has been adapted to a more Pagan form).

You may notice a resemblance between the back design of this talisman, and Ian Corrigan’s beautiful Brigid sigil. I respect Ian’s work and certainly wouldn’t copy – this turns out to be one of those divinely inspired synchronicities, as we’ve both arrived at this design independently. You can check out Ian’s books on Brigid and other creations here.

Talisman is etched in 18-gauge copper, in your choice of 1.5″ diameter medallion, or 2″ allowing for much finer detail. Comes strung on a simple natural leather cord.

Our copper talismans are hand etched in small runs with careful attention. Talismans are individually hand-detailed, so each pendant is slightly different and unique. The artist, Morpheus, personally consecrates all the talismans on her altar.

To order.

MORPHEUS RAVENNA

Tattoo Artist, Morrigan Priestess, Spiritworker, and Writer

Goddess of Smithcraft (with emphasis on Blacksmithing)

Blacksmith Woman

For the smiths among us, and those Brigidines interested in knowing more about the smith side of the goddess, there is available online BLACKSMITH PRACTICE: EM 862 (War Department Education Manual).

Metal Web News provides the manual with links to the various chapter. Or you can download it from scribd, sans links.

I draw your attention to this one piece, but in fact Metal Web News has a host of other articles branching out from their Blacksmithing page, as well as a Forge-Foundry-Casting page with lots of pictures and how-to information.

For chat about blacksmithing, go to the John C. Campbell Folk School Blog's "Blacksmith Shop" and get in on the conversation.

Wander over to Blacksmithchic.com, the website of Lorelei Sims (Artist and Blacksmith) for a look at her work, her farm (Pasture Prime Commune!), her book (The Backyard Blacksmith), her dogs...Heck, she even has blacksmithing t-shirts, including my favourite, the Fire Goddess T-Shirt:

For those who like video, go to Anvilfire.com (a rich site and host of three smith-related blog rings) and check out their in-depth review of the Forge and Anvil TV series and books hosted by Alan Rogers in 1995. Good news! The series is now available on DVD.. You can catch lots of blacksmithing videos on YouTube as well, from the amateur, like christopher5361's homemade forge video, to the professional, such as the previews of Bob Rupert's TV shows (Blacksmithing with Bob Rupert). Check out "Let's Make a Nail." If you like what you see you can buy the DVDs from the makers here.

Maybe you are really interested and want to take a course. There are lots of places to do that now, though the craft nearly died out at one point in North America. How about rounding your knowledge out nicely at the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina? Besides basic blacksmithing the school "provides experiences in non-competitive learning and community life that are joyful and enlivening. Located in scenic Brasstown, North Carolina, the Folk School offers year-round weeklong and weekend classes for adults in craft, art, music, dance, cooking, gardening, nature studies, photography and writing."

Renaissance Lady Blacksmith by Francesa Miller

You have to snoop around a bit to get a lead on all the smithing courses, depending on where you live. There are a couple of lists online (eg here) but they aren't exhaustive. You might do best to search "blacksmith" "school" and the name of your area, or you may miss something small but good nearby, as all the larger ones crowd to the top of the search results. If you love horses, you can get a diploma as a farrier at Olds College in Olds, Alberta (a really lovely area to squirrel away for two years, I should think). Another is the Maritime Farrier School in Truro, Nova Scotia, which also is a beautiful spot to be. Or if you want something that will take you from basic blacksmithing to wildly creative art- and armour-making, try Thak Ironworks in Floradale, Ontario.

And once you've got a start on your craft, you may want to join a blacksmithing association, such as the Vancouver Island Blacksmith Association. ("VIBA a non-profit society formed for the sole purpose of keeping blacksmithing alive in British Columbia. Members demonstrate at various local events including major annual events at the Fairgrounds, and at other local country fairs, Heritage Festivals, and schools. VIBA also hosts workshops featuring professional smiths.")

Of course, Brigit is not only a goddess of blacksmiths. There are whitesmiths, bronzesmiths, silversmiths, and so on. I leave it to you to search out some good contacts (and perhaps provide us with links).

Antiques

Finally, you may just want to admire or purchase metalcraft, new or antique. Or how about new but modelled on antiques? Mark Shier of Gaukler Medieval Wares is one smith who delights in talking about his wares, and who takes great care in creating copies of ancient handicrafts, as well as selling antiques--coins, belt buckles, and so on. And yes, you could afford a lot of them. Why, I bought a handmade (and perfect!) bronze sewing needle from him for 7$.

Mark's creations

In his words, "Gaukler Medieval Wares makes jewellery and metalwork in ancient and medieval styles, using the methods and materials of the past. I do custom work, as long as the design is medieval or earlier. We also sell authentic ancient and medieval antiquities. All antiquities pictures have a white background, and all of my work has a black background."