IMBOLC 2000

Many of you have said you didn't know what was inside the article, until you visited each and every page. Following is an index of articles, hyperlinked, and which page you can find them on. Just click on the buttons at the top of this page, or the index item itself to read the articles:

SECTION I - HOLIDAY LORE

Candlemas: The Light Returns - Mike Nichols
Recipes for Imbolc - Gathered by Luna Willowsong
An Imbolc Project - Wendy Sheridan 
Brideo'gas - Akasha

SECTION II - FAMILY ISSUES

Promoting Pagan Family Values - Selene SilverWind
Moon Time and Maidenhood - Kyra

SECTION III - STORY-TIME

Lady and Lord - Chelsy
Lady Luna - Arianne ShadowWalker
Meagan's Imbolc - Kat Dyer
Mewsings from The Alley - Astartes
Crone's Book of Magickal Words - Valerie Worth - Review by Susan Davis
New Beginnings, Abbey - Mystickally
Persephone Dreams - Luna Willowsong
Michael and Beth Chronicles - Selene SilverWind
Using the Charge of the Goddess As A Psalm - Luna Willowsong
The Ugly Duckling's Daughter - Baboo Kyra
Dragon Circle - Vixen Deamantra
Walking Between Worlds - Spiritual Residues - Michelle A. Belanger

SECTION IV - ASK AUNTIE

Auntie Ahn's questions and answers

SECTION V - ONLINE RESOURCES

Seasonal Rituals for 2000 - Sarolta
Eclipses: Opportunities for Transformation - Sarolta

Imbolic, or in the more christianized version of the holiday .... Candlemas .... is the holiday that we're celebrating with this issue. To quote Mike Nichols .... "Imbolc means, literally, 'in the belly' (of the Mother). For in the womb of Mother Earth, hidden from our mundane sight but sensed by a keener vision , there are stirrings. The seed that was planted in her womb at the solstice is quickening and the new year grows. 'Oimelc' means 'milk of ewes', for it is also lambing season." Ah, there are stirrings of the planted seed in the ground, but her in the Northeast it's buried under four inches of snow so far, with a promise of more to come. <giggle> Go figure.

Well, while we all grab something nice and hot to drink, you'll find lots of reading material here to keep you comfortable. There's wonderful histories and experiences relating to this holiday, recipes, and crafts to do with your children <hoping my wife takes this hint, I love crafts .....> You'll also find a treasure trove of thoughts and beauty in the Story Time section. Mystickally has a guest writer this issue for her Mewsings article .... her S/O Asartes! What a wonderful job he did too. What a great sense of humor. But she still continued her wonderful story of the life of a young Wiccan named Abby. Megan's Mabon is great in this issue, and gives us the chance to see the holiday from the eyes of a child. Luna out did herself for this issue too, and shared some very wonderful thoughts. As wonderful and as beautiful as she is. And this issue is the first for Selene SilverWind's new series .... The Michael and Beth Chronicles!! What a great beginning. A book review by Susan Davis, Michelle Belanger's series of Walking Between the Worlds continues, and Many more offerings await you. I also took the liberty of pulling something out of one of our past issues, Moon Time and Maidenhood by Baboo Kyra simply because the information in it is timeless and much needed.

You'll also find the usual fine resources that you've grown to expect, such as Ask Auntie Ahn, a couple of resources by Sarolta that you might want to put away to refer back to.

All in all .... this is a very big issue for the Imbolc season. This season is traditionally a small issue for C&B; as it comes so close on the heels to the Yule issue and all the celebration that goes with that holiday. But the staff wanted to teach me a lesson. <snicker> I posted about three weeks ago to our private staff list that since we only had three to four articles as of then, if maybe we should skip this issue. You'd think I was asking them to give up the holiday! They not only said no, but they helped to make this a record breaking Imbolc issue. Of course, your all the winners as you have some wonderful reading and resources, but now they have to keep it up for the next issue. <LOL!!> To let them and the readers know right up front .... the deadline for the Ostara issue is March 6th and the mailing is March 13th. Let's make it another big one, and make the year 2000 something to remember in the history of Cauldrons and Broomsticks Ezine. Everyone will be the winner!

Now ... enjoy your Imbolc 2000 issue!!

Blessings, Warmth and Love in your life .....
Midnight Grey Wolfpup
Editor/Publisher/Owner
Cauldrons and Broomsticks Ezine
http://www.concentric.net/~Candb/
http://cauldrons-broomsticks.virtualave.net/