Beginning the evening of Jan. 31, a day honoring Brigid or Brighid begins. (There are several spellings of her name.)

Brigid is associated with fire, livestock, babies, poets, the poor, Ireland, and the coming of spring (and also with many other things).

Her festival is called "Imbolc" in the Celtic tradition and "St. Brigid's Day" in the Christian one. Even as St. Brigid, this figure symbolizes the interaction of religious traditions, for she is the daughter of a pagan and a Christian.

There is tension as well as healing associated with this figure, just as both winter and spring are involved.

The time of her festival occurs roughly midway between winter solstice and spring equinox, when the days are getting longer and the livestock are pregnant.

It is also a time, as on Groundhog Day, when one ponders just how long winter will last.

As a healer and a protector of animals, children, and the poor, Brigid/St. Brigid is a useful reminder to be generous to others and to trust that spring will come.

And as a figure associated with Ireland, she is a reminder of courage and strength in adversity.

For references to this figure in "Dancing with a Baptist," see "After a Grad Students' Meeting" and "Brighid Urges the Poet."

Enjoy this special time.