Today marks the Vernal Equinox (or Ostara), one of two times in the calendar year (the other being the Autumn Equinox or Mabon) when Earth and all her creations hover in perfect balance for a brief shining interval. Humanity had nothing to do with this day - it's a a pivotal astronomic point ordained by the heavens, by the natural order of things in this magnificent cosmos where we live out our allotted days, spinning like tops in the Great Round of space and time.
If I lived further south, this might be a time of greening and enchantment, a day when Eostre, the old Teutonic goddess of greening and fertility, wanders wild places with her arms full of spring blooms, bestowing blessings on everything she sees. Flowers would spring up in her footsteps as she passed - the air would be filled with birdsong, the heady fragrance of earth and wild springtime herbs.
Alas, the only snowdrops blooming here at the moment are those in a glass amphora on one of the shelves in my study. It will be several weeks until Lady Spring makes a real appearance in the northern landscape, but rumors of her imminent presence and the arrival of the greening season persist. Every bird who visits our sleeping garden seems to be declaring its lofty status as a messenger from the sacred, a harbinger of abundance and new life.
Last night I went outside into the garden for a few minutes, and a cold going it certainly was. As I shivered in the star spangled darkness and looked up, it seemed to me that March's waxing moon bears more than a passing resemblance to a great cosmic egg, a perfect expression of this turning of the wheel with its verdant motifs of warmth, light and new life coming into being.
Assuredly, there is blooming in our thoughts. It is much too cold for outdoor celebrations, but I do plan to spend a little time outside with telescope and lens this evening, perhaps light a celebratory candle on the deck. First there will be salmon, risotto, a salad of tangy spring greens and a bottle of Chablis on the old oak table this evening, and all are welcome.
Happy Ostara, Happy Spring, Happy Equinox! Bright blessings to one and all!
7 comments:
Happy Spring!
Our hummingbirds are returning. One greeted me in the garden today. So sweet a sight.
Happy Equinox to you too! I'd love to share your dinner with you...it sounds delish. But there would be a few too many hours travel from North Carolina I'm afraid!
Tree buds are beginning to show, but we still have snow on the ground as well - although melting... Temperatures have been in the 30's just the last few days, with a new layer of 4" of snow on Friday :) But - 70's this next week! You just never know in Colorado :) I do like the symbolism of the Great Cosmic Egg - making its way through the stars, lighting our way...
beautiful post - beautiful words - we had no winter at all here in France! Thank you for your words and wishes - all the best for you and yours too!!!!!!
Happy Spring! Love your writing.
And if you lived even further south, it would be the Autumn Equinox, as it is here :-) Many blessings to you, I hope Spring brings you much joy.
I am reminded that it was just one month ago, during the February full moon, that precious snowdrops dotted the neighborhoods here in a little city on Vancouver Island.
Post a Comment