Yesterday we prepared for St. Bridget's Day. Even though it was grey and windy, we knew we had to venture out to collect the rushes for our St. Bridget's cross. As well as being a patron saint of Ireland, Bridget was also a pagan Goddess. On this day, Bridget the Goddess of nature and growth, heralds the start of the Spring. And it remains a tradition to make crosses from wild rushes in many parts of the country.
First, collect your rushes.
Pick two of these to begin, A and B.
Wrap rush B around the rush A.
Turn the two rushes 90 degrees to the left and wrap rush C around rush A.
Turn the cross another 90 degrees and wrap the next rush around rush C.
Turn the cross another 90 degrees and wrap another rush. Keep going in the manner until your cross is the size you would like.
Bind the ends of the cross with string or yarn and snip off the untidy edges.
Hang up in your house as a little reminder of the green that is to come....
Happy St. Bridget's Day!
Lovely! Reminds me of all those I made with all the Keanes and have everywhere in my house. Thanks for the tutorial! Did Anna Mae help you?
ReplyDeleteAnd happy Saint Bridget's day to you!
ReplyDeleteYour cross turned out great. Happy Saint's Day and I hope the Goddess of the Hearth keeps looking out for her namesake.
ReplyDeleteThanks Aoife and Marie-France! Maisie helped a little but mostly she threw the rushes around the kitchen floor.
ReplyDeleteGoddess of the hearth...I like that.
I am so happy that you have revived this old tradition. For those of us who do not have access to rushes, do you know of a source for St. Bridget's crosses?
ReplyDeleteHi Eileen! I might have to send you one!
ReplyDeleteBridget
Just stumbled across this tutorial - thank-you so much for sharing :-)
ReplyDeleteI too stumbled across your blog tutorial for making St Brigid's Crosses & have posted a link to here on my own blog today. Thanks Bridget.
ReplyDelete