Why reviving Brigit’s distaff could spark a powerful symbol of peace and healing today

DCM Editorial Summary: This story has been independently rewritten and summarised for DCM readers to highlight key developments relevant to the region. Original reporting by The Irish Times, click this post to read the original article.

More than three decades ago, Woman Spirit Ireland began the Festivals of Brigit to bridge religious divides from the Troubles in Ireland, empower women’s voices, and explore how indigenous Irish traditions can foster healing. In 2026, the theme “Brigit’s Blessings: Healing and Peace-Weaving” reflects the group’s commitment to peace through ancient symbols and storytelling. Central to this theme is the tale of Feidelm, a prophetess with mystical vision who warned Queen Maeve of impending disaster. Maeve ignored the warning and was ultimately defeated. This ancient narrative connects closely with Brigit, another powerful feminine figure, who used peaceful wisdom, not violence, to disperse armies and forge harmony.

You’re invited to reflect on how cloaks, distaffs, and eyes – recurring images in these stories – carry spiritual and cultural significance. Brigit’s cloak, like those of other divine feminine figures across traditions, represents protection, compassion, and vision beyond the ordinary. Her crosses, known as “God’s eyes,” symbolize guidance and social vigilance. Ancient Irish law even recognized “crimes of the eye,” holding complicit bystanders to the same legal standards as perpetrators. These traditions challenge you to see beyond the surface, encouraging awareness and moral responsibility.

Brigit’s distaff – a tool often overlooked – holds special meaning. Across cultures, distaffs symbolize authority, protection, and community weaving. In Irish tradition, they’ve been used for healing, divination, and peacebuilding. Brigit’s act of pulling out her eye rather than be forced into marriage aligns with her unwavering integrity and independence. Throughout history, women like Brigit, queens, and healers held spiritual power that didn’t rely on force but on nurturing and connecting communities.

You’re encouraged to explore and reclaim these traditionally feminine sources of influence and authority. The event “Brigit’s Blessings: Healing and Peace-Weaving,” hosted by Woman Spirit Ireland at Dublin’s Mansion House, aims to revitalize the symbolic power of the distaff for modern peacebuilding. This gathering supports Médecins Sans Frontières and invites you to engage in community rituals, storytelling, and healing practices grounded in Ireland’s cultural heritage.