Imbolc is a time for contemplation. There's a pause. Winter still encloses us, cold rain still comes down, but seeds stir underground. Some are brave enough to sprout. You may not be ready to move into spring; the season's grey can overwhelm you. Next page, I provide a ritual on inspiration to help shake off seasonal blues. But on still afternoons, between spates of falling ice-water, even the seasonally glum find hope in the coming spring.
Many traditions associate Imbolc with cleansing and purification. The ancient Romans did, celebrating it with a group of festivals that included Lupercalia, when Luperci wolf-priests ran through the streets brandishing wolf-skin whips. Women who wanted children stepped up to receive lashes. Lupercalia may have been an ancestor of Valentine's Day -- certainly it would be pagan to celebrate the day Luperci-fashion.
Wolf-skin whips are only one vision of Imbolc. The contemplativeness of this time, after the solstice but before hectic spring and summer, lends itself to meditation and to divination. Three different articles on meditation grace our pages this issue. Not only does Dianus remind us of meditation's benefits and give a refresher course on the basics, Lisa tells of the trials of a suburban mom trying to retreat for a few moments' peace. And Erika takes on the subject of Kundalini meditation, providing a safe place to start working with this rewarding but intense energy. If you're fighting insomnia or other emanations of misplaced life-force, you might read her article to learn to turn Kundalini off.
Divination, too, belongs to Imbolc -- a province of the goddess Brighid, or Brid, or Bride (known by another dozen spellings as well), a Celtic deity whose holiday traditionally falls at this time. In her honor, we present an early-spring bouquet of Tarot card reviews by Dawn and Sylvana, focusing on unusual and magical decks. Sylvana also gives us another review, on the Issaquah production of Bell, Book and Candle. Genevieve talks about Imbolc music, and Thea talks about the Imbolc stars.
Catherine rounds out this issue with an article on simple vegetable dishes appropriate for the New Moon. Imbolc is a time like the New Moon, or more properly like the new crescent, Diana's Bow; it honors the newly waxing sun. Pale, watery dawns grow brighter and earlier; sunlight strengthens. May the waxing dreams of Imbolc come to fruition happily, for you and for the world.