Yesterday I spotted my first dandelion, the bright yellow flower shone like a beacon against the brown and frost bitten grass.
There are many different names for this plant in Gaelic, among them fical leaohain (lion’s teeth) and am bearnan Brighde (notched plant of Bridget).
Tess Darwin, in her wonderful book The Scot’s Herbal, states that of the dandelion if it is indeed the plant of the goddess/saint Bride, Bridget then this would explain its powerful attributes.
She notes that Alexander Carmichael, in the hymns, prayers and stories he collected from the Western Isles - the Hebrides, known as the Isles of Brighid, among then a blessing of the earth’s bounty, which included the dandelion
‘Magic hoop was made of milkwort, butterwort, dandelion and marigold. It was from three to four inches in diameter, and it was bound by a triple cord of lint - for lint also had magical properties - n the name of the Father, the Son and the Spirit, and placed under the milk-vessel, to prevent the substance of the milk from being spirited away’. - A Carmichael
In Scot’s dandelion is known as doon-head clock, horse gowan, milk gowan, piss-a-bed, witch gowan and yellow gowan.
Dandelion roots and leaves were used medicinally for their diuertic, tonic and stimulation properties. In 19th C Fife, mining folk used an infusion of dandelion root to cure stomach ache while dandelion sandwiches were eaten in Glencoe to cure ulcers.
Dandelion can also produce a yellow dye.
Click on the photo above to see these Brighid Celtic Soul Prayer beads in my Etsy shop
Last Two Sets of Brighid Prayer Beads
Click here to read about the symbolism of the beads
This set of Celtic Soul Prayer Beads feature a little wooden Brighid’s Cross, made in Ireland. The pendant sets the tone of the prayer beads set. The three silver beads after the pendant are ‘step beads’ which offer you three steps, or breathes inviting you to drop down into a meditative place. The invitation of these steps beads leads you onto the ‘mystery’ bead,.
The circle of beads represents the circle of life, the wheel of the year and each of the 8 sections, representing holydays around the year. Each section has a ‘threshold’ bead which allows you to consider the overlapping energies of each festival as well as an option to consider thresholds in your own life.
The lighter colored cedar beads are a different color, a reminder of your own intentions you are working with or gratitudes.
There are many different ways of using these beads and I hope to offer an online course which covers all the symbolism of the beads, how to work with them as well as using them in your daily practice.
Click on the photo above to see these Brighid Celtic Soul Prayer beads in my Etsy shop
Resources
Darwin, Tess. 2008. The Scots Herbal. The Plant Lore of Scotland. Birlinn, Edinbirgh, Scotland.