Hello,
If you looked closely, today you’ll have seen the first signs of Spring, new shoots of grass appearing, bulbs blooming. That is because it is already the first day of Spring!
Most of us have heard of the Summer and Winter Solstices, and probably the Fall and Spring equinoxes too. The solstices mark the longest day and night of the year. The equinoxes are the midpoints between those.
Traditionally our culture has decided that those days are the first days of the seasons but really they are the high points of the seasons (think Midsummer’s day on June 21st).
Imbolc (or Groundhog Day!): The VERY beginning of Spring
Between the solstices and the equinoxes are the cross-quarter days. And arguably, those are the first days of the seasons. The dates vary but are generally August 2nd, November 2nd, February 2nd and May 2nd.
You may recognize some of those dates. Everyone knows Halloween-time which is near the November 2nd cross-quarter day and May Day (or Beltane) is on or around May 2nd. Each of these heralds the coming season.
Most people know the cross-quarter day of February 2nd as Groundhog Day, where the groundhog decides if it is Spring. It is also known as Imbolc. What it’s really deciding is if Spring is coming slowly or quickly!
Enjoy the Entire season
When we cultivate awareness of the seasonal shifts around us when we make decisions or approach challenges or projects, our outcomes can be so much stronger and more satisfying.
Happy Spring!
Xoxo Kary