Thinking about this issue's theme, Harvesting Spirit, I ask the I Ching what it thinks of The Caldron, in particular what it thinks of its spiritual worth now that it has begun its second year. I receive Hexagram 27, The Corners of the Mouth. All the changing lines of this hexagram speak of providing nourishment. The top three lines focus upon spiritual nourishment. I receive the very top line. It speaks of "a sage of the highest order, from whom emanate all influences that provide nourishment for others."
     The hexagram changes to Hexagram 24, Return. This hexagram speaks of the formation of "societies of people sharing the same views." It goes on to say about these societies that "since these groups come together in full public knowledge and are in harmony with the time, all selfish separatist tendencies are excluded, and no mistake is made."
     The Caldron was conceived over a year ago with the intention of providing spiritual nourishment. It was described then as a radical spiritual source devoted to supporting the voices of the people. One of its primary goals has always been to create spiritual community. Apparently the I Ching thinks that it has been fulfilling its task.

     In line with this, we have a wonderful spiritual harvest to share with you. First of all, we have staked out a corner of The Caldron for Wisdom herself. See "Wisdom's Corner." Feel free to contribute any wisdom you may run across to the coming issues.

     My essay, "The Wonderful Conspiracy," was inspired by a chapter of the same title in Spider Robinson's book, Callahan's Crosstime Saloon. In my essay, I take the notion of home schooling a step further. I argue that it isn't just about our children learning outside the system. It's about all of us, children and adults, actually leaving the system. It's about all of us becoming conscious together and learning how the world works and how to take care of ourselves in it without having to plug into the destructive and insane system that most of the world is still trying to maintain for want of anything better.

     Aspen Marks has written another of her beautiful and inspiring prose poems. In this one, she tells how her simple organic garden plot, with minimal effort on her part, has been providing healthy nourishment for our family and many of our friends since early last spring. She also points out that we have been creating community just by sharing our garden's bounty.

     Partha Pratim Majumder has written another of his wonderful stories for us, a poem as well. Partha is married and has two daughters. Presently, he is Senior Manager (Public Relation & Administration) with M/S Jenson & Nicholson (I) LTD in Kolkata, India. Partha writes in English and has several other poems and stories to his credit.

     Beginning this, our second year of publication, we continue to encourage new artists, musicians and writers with something to say. In line with this, we have two new contributors to this issue of The Caldron.

     Summer Clancy is a young singer and songwriter. She just won first place in the Colgate Country Music Showdown, Colorado State Championship. In October of this year, she's heading to Nashville, to showcase there.

     Corey Mesler and his wife own Burke's Book Store in Memphis, Tennessee, one of the country's oldest and best independent bookstores. Corey has published prose and/or poetry in innumerable journals and magazines. He has recently won the Moonfire Poetry Chapbook Competition, and his chapbook, Chin-Chin in Eden, has just published by Still Waters Press.

     Please enjoy this especially rich and nourishing spiritual harvest.

Eugene Marks, Editor