As we enter into a freezing February I am reminded of the Goddess Brighid, the Celtic Goddess of the Well, the Forge, of Healing and Magic. She is celebrated at this time of Imbolc, which is a Celtic Fire Festival held on 1st or 2nd February.

It looks as though it will snow tonight as puddles freeze over and pavements are gritted in readiness. I find myself drawn to Queen's Woods in Highgate, where I live and where I photographed the fabulous Jinji Garland who modelled for me as Brighid two years ago and is featured in my book Goddess Enchantment - Magic and Spells: Volume 1: Goddesses of the Seasons .

I long for snowdrops and wish they grew in my garden especially as Kleo Kay and I are hosting a Goddess workshop this Saturday in honour of Brighid. I shall instead scour the shelves of Tesco and gather up all the white delicate blooms available.

It would be rather poetic if swans actually did fly gracefully through our winter skies, I rather wish they did. Surely as one of Brighid's animal toetems don't they have a moral duty to do so? I mean, what else are they doing in this weather? Her other animal totem is the wolf and although the woods are full of dogs scampering delighfully, they are a far cry from their ancestors. However, Im sure it would get rather complicated if there really werre wolves in the woods, so many of us with a Pagan heart shall remain fiantly disappointed.

As for the Chailce Well - "What? Isn't it in Glastonbury?" I hear you cry. Well yes, of course it is but no modern image of Brighid would be complete without her sacred well, so there now lies another deep within Queen's Woods and only those that have eyes to see shall disciver its whereabouts.

Finally, she wears a crown of flames upon her head as she is the Lady of the Flame and at this cold and frozen time of year she serves as a reminder that the fire of the Sun is set to return as the Wheel of the Year turns.

Use this time to focus on new beginnings, upon that hwich you wish to cultivate and grow during the coming year and ask for healing.

Happy Imbolc!