Imbolc

Right now, through my open window, I can hear birds singing songs of Spring. The air coming through is a little chilly but I'd rather be cold than close the window on such a beautiful sound.

It's the day after Imbolc, the traditional festival marking the start of Spring, but it feels later than that this year. From the kitchen window I've watched pairs of small birds in courtship, flying perfectly in sync between trees and bare branches, the resident male blackbird chasing off what I presume is last year's offspring, then taking an interest in a foraging female, and the wood pigeons becoming aggressively territorial again.

December and January have been very damp and dreary, and we've had to seize the few drier and brighter days to prepare the allotment and garden for the coming Spring. Shrubs and a rowan tree have been ordered from a local nursery to help fill the combined wildlife garden and food forest half of our suburban garden.

For Moondragon, Imbolc is the first 'event' of the new year. We like to add new designs for every event, and sometimes feel more like curators of beautiful art than owners of a small online shop. We chose two new designs: Debbie deMornay Penny's Imbolc card, so full of joy and colour, reminded us of our time living near Glastonbury (if you know Glastonbury you'll know exactly what I mean!), and we thought people would love Bonnie Hawkins' elegant Imbolc design.

One of the artists we work with told me they like to start new projects at Imbolc, and to move with the flow of energy as nature awakens from its winter slumber makes perfect sense. This writing is also the start of something new. It's the first time I've written in a longer form, and from my heart, not my head. It symbolises, for me at least, a change in direction for our business. I'll ride the wave and see where it leads.

Linda