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Spring 2006
Signs of Spring are in the Air
As I sit typing these words, my windows are cracked open for the first time in months. I hear birds singing and children playing in the street. Even though it is after 5pm, sunshine streams through the window, bringing its warmth with it. I feel good. After a particularly dark winter, spring has finally arrived. And not a moment too soon.
Increasingly I'm finding that there are more and more neo-pagan children in my life. I suspect that I'm not alone. Starting this issue we have a new family section in WynterGreene. How this section develops will depend largely on the types of articles we receive for it. This issue, Kristin Gaulin offers ideas for Beltaine celebrations and activities that include children. As well, there are plenty of suggestions in her article for activities for parents and adults. Also with families in mind, we have a review of the ABC Book of Shadows, a child's first alphabet book with pagan themes. We hope to include more book and product reviews for pagan children in future issues. Please send us your suggestions and reviews.
For feature articles, in this issue, Scarabaeus examines the pentagram rituals in ceremonial magic. The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram is perhaps one of the best-known ceremonial magic rituals. Wiccans and other neo-pagans often include variations of it in their practice. Also in this issue, Scarabaeus continues his series of introductory magic articles, La Magie Sans Larmes, with a look at the elements. We also have a book review by Mike Gleason of Mystery Traditions: Secret Symbols And Sacred Art.
A second theme emerging from this issue is water. It is something that I have been thinking about a lot recently, and exploring. In a feature article, I examine water in myth and ritual. I also review the book Spiritual Bathing by Rosita Arvigo and Nadine Epstein.
The third and final theme running through this issue is, once again, community. The Toronto Pagan Conference was held in early March. Iris O gives us her thoughts on this ambitious event. Well-known and respected Wiccans Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone were guest speakers. The event also showcased many local pagan authors, academics, and workshop presenters. The May long weekend brings the second annual Canadian Pagan Conference, Gaia Gathering. In The Scottish Witch Who Wore a Chiton, one of the original organizers, Kit, shares her story about how the conference got its name.
Some WynterGreene issues are centered around a specific theme; others are more organic with the content being determined by recent submissions. Looking ahead, we are currently exploring theme issues around education, science, teens, scholarship, ethics, nature and darkness. With such a wealth of topics to choose from, we are having a hard time deciding which ones to do this year. So we ask you: Which themes would you like to see? And of course, if you have an article (or book review) idea for any of them, send us an email or give us a call.
Also looking ahead, we are looking for artists. Exactly two years ago we introduced cover art to WynterGreene. Since then, we have exclusively featured artwork by Canadian and local artists; and we'd like to feature more of the same. The fabulous cover art this issue is by Liliane Grenier, who resides south of Montreal. She also does some of the artwork inside this issue, along with Lauren Foster-MacLeod from Ottawa. If you'd like to help illustrate WynterGreene or have your original artwork featured on our cover. Share your talents with us. We are specially looking for submissions of seasonal and generally pagan-themed illustrations.
All the best for spring, and may the joyous sounds and sunshine of the season bring you happiness and pleasure as we move into the summer months.
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