SPRING
Yesterday was the first official day of spring, the season of birth, re-birth, new, re-newal, hope. The trees, shrubs and bulbs are budding, some even blooming. Perennials are emerging from the ground, re-birth, re-new each year.
This is the time of year of love, harmony and new beginnings. The robins are here, looking for worms and places to nest. The sun is a little higher in the sky, a little warmer in the mornings. The days are longer. There's a little more cheer in the air. The Earth has awakened.
We just celebrated the equinox when the days and nights are the same length. St. Patrick's Day is just past – it's time to get those root veggies in the ground. St. Patty's Day is the perfect time to plant potatoes, onions, carrots and beans.
The Italians just celebrated Women's Day, Festa della Donna, where men bring yellow mimosas to the women in their lives. Mmmm, mimosas, both flowers and drinks. The Ides of March have passed with no apparent ill effects, except for Caesar all those years ago. The donkey race now seems to be the event at St. Joseph's Day, which is also celebrated this week.
The spirit of new growth, fresh beginnings, rebirth and renewal, Eostre, the goddess of spring fertility, dances exuberance. She calls to the tune of the rhythm of the earth, to awaken, to embrace fresh growth, to live and rejoice. Eostre is the pagan root of the Christian holiday of Easter. We embrace bunnies, chicks, eggs, all a symbol of the pagan rituals of spring. We embrace the resurrection of Christ, his rebirth, miracles of life. The Mayans celebrated the Spring equinox and this year was no exception. Will it really be the end of civilization after the winter equinox this year? If so, the Mayans had it right by partying big at all the equinoxes, culminating this winter with the end of the calendar.
The Spring Equinox is associated with, or known as: Alban Eilir, Eostar, Eostre, Feast of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Festival of Trees, Lady Day, NawRuz, No Ruz, Ostara, Ostra, Rites of Spring, and the Vernal Equinox. All the religions and most every country have a Spring celebration.
Life is upon us once again. Revel in the warmth, the buds, the coming of the new. What does this year hold for you? After a long cold winter, Spring comes just when you need it most. We are much like our yards, hibernating in winter and returning to the outdoors in Spring, waiting, coaxing, beckoning.
e spirit of the dawning year, new growth, fresh beginnings, renewal, rebirth. She dances on the cusp of shyness and exuberance.
She calls you to enter her dance, to tune your living to the rhythm of the Earth. To awaken, to embrace fresh growth, to connect to your inner exuberance. Break out! Feel alive!
