King Orfeo is one of the songs I sing at Imbolc, likewise The Wife of Ushers Well (both currently playing on my myspace page) - the former in respect of bringing home the beauteous spring from the grips of elfin winter, the latter with respect of a singular correlation with the earthy illustration for February in the Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry despite the central events of the ballad being set at Martinmass. Indeed, given that Imbolc falls on February the 9th this year (feast day of the miraculously conceived Saint Apollonia of Alexandria, patron saint of dentists) one senses a particular cross-quarterly resonance so essential to ceremonial empowerment when the best of us can do at time of year is to warm our nethers by the blazing fire...