The surviving origin story of St Brigid's cross is a Christian one. But the cross's equal armed shape, hints at its Pagan roots. The four points, slightly skewed, give the illusion of a turning sun wheel.

Used in healings and blessings, Brigid's crosses were often nailed to beams or over doorways in homes and barns.

Although traditionally made of picked rushes or grains, I was inspired by the artist Susan Gaylord's blog post to create a paper Brigid's cross charm. Follow the link to the original post and her excellent directions, pictures and video.

For myself, I wanted to create something magical but also with materials that I had at home.

And that didn't include the beautiful textured art paper used by Gaylord. I also didn't want to measure or be too precious about the creation process. I started by taking an 8 1/2” by 11” sheet of printer paper and tearing it into four pieces length wise, but I quickly realized while assembling the cross that the proportions were off. I took two of my four pieces and tore them in half again. This created a perfectly acceptable Brigid's cross but not what I had envisioned.

In my final attempt, I folded the paper in thirds and then each third again in half, creating six long strips of paper. Preferring the rougher edges, I chose the four inner pieces to create my cross. If you like a clean edge, scissors will work just fine.

Before assembling my cross, I decided to use an herb tea to both stain the paper a more natural hue and to imbue the paper with my magical intention.

Chamomile tea was my first choice for its associations with calm communication, peace and blessings, but a recent bout of insomnia meant that I had used up my stock. I settled on mugwort and brewed a strong infusion. As I dipped the paper, I focused on connecting with the spirit of the plant and my magical intentions.

Once the strips had dried completely, I folded them in half, and wove them together to create the cross. Since I was asking for blessings, I worked in a sunwise direction, bringing the blessings to me. The second piece folded over the first, the third over the second, and the fourth over the third with the ends tucked in between the first.

Susan Gaylord wrote a lovely message on her Brigid's cross. I decided that I needed something a little more specific - a charm for blessings to hang above the door to my home. Instead, I wrote something inspired by a blessing written by Courtney Weber.

May Brigid bless and keep this home

May all who cross this threshold know the promise of spring

Blessed be this cross

Blessed be my home

I’m not an artist. I’m no Susan Gaylord. But I am happy with my spell working and I will hang it above the door, much as I imagine my Scottish ancestors may have hung their Brigid’s cross.

I think this would be a great family activity for Imbolc. There are many ways to create a Brigid’s cross, though, and many ways to celebrate the season. I’d love to see how you mark this time. But, however you choose to observe the turning of the wheel, I wish you many blessings.

Sources:

Carmichael, Alexander. (1900) Carmina Gadelica. Hymns and Incantations with Illustrative Notes on Words, rites, and Customs, Dying and Obsolete. Volume 1

Gaylord, Susan. (2015) http://blog.susangaylord.com

Kynes, Sandra. (2018) Llewellyn's Complete Book of Correspondences

Weber, Courtney. (2015) Brigid. History, Mystery, and Magick of the Celtic Goddess

A Brigid’s Cross Spell Working

Happy Janus Day!