How to Make a Brigid's Cross

It's easy to make a Brigid's Cross from wheat stalks, grasses, reeds or rushes and a little bit of string. Gather a few dozen reeds of the same length. The longer the stalks, the larger will be your cross. If the stalks are very dry and tend to break when you bend them, just soak them in warm water to soften them. They will bend more easily. Later, when the cross is finished, the stalks will dry and stiffen.

• Hold one reed vertically, and fold another in half around the middle of the first.
• Fold next reed over the last one, parallel to the first reed.
• Fold next reed over the reeds one and three, parallel to the second reed.
• Continue to work in a circular fashion, until you have used up your reeds, or created enough of a "woven" center to the cross.
• Hold the reeds together carefully. Tie each end together with string, so that the cross won't fall apart.

Brigid's Crosses are traditionally made on February 1, the celebration of Brigid's Day, Imbolc (pronounced ím-mulk), or Candlemas. They are hung over doorways for protection from fire, creative inspiration, and prosperity.