Welcome Spring!

Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn.

~Lewis Grizzard~

Happy first day of Spring! Granted, it doesn’t particularly look or feel very Spring-like today in my neighborhood, but the seasons did officially change at 4:44am PDT this Friday 20 March 2009; known as the vernal equinox or Spring equinox for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. As the Earth is tilted on its axis, during the Winter months we are tilted away from the Sun, and thus have cooler months. On the vernal eqinox, also known as Ostara, the Earth tilts towards the Sun, bringing warmer days and new growth. While the word “equinox” roughly translates to “equal night”, today will not have a day and night of equal length, as the true day-night equality occurred prior to vernal equinox. In any case, Spring has been celebrated for thousands of years as a time of hope, for it is the growing season and replenishment of food sources. Mother Earth is awakening from her slumber, renewed energy waiting to burst forth in the form of new life, and I shall rejoice in this and the return of warmer days.

Yesterday was Glorious, and felt like the first day of Spring, so I went out into my new neighborhood to capture signs of its arrival. A local explained that this is fertile land, which brings with it many, many birds and various other creatures. Their morning cacophony of chirping is Lovely! I delighted in watching two birds preparing their nest. Sparrows, perhaps? But, could I capture a pic?

Granted, you cannot see its cute little face past the mouthful of nesting materials!

I Love this sweet lone bulb at the base of a Gorgeous tree

Speaking of renewed hope.. what might these bulbs blossom into?

Alstroemeria

The Freesia smells Wonderful

Citrus fruit abounds! Look at these! Lemons..

Grapefruit

Wow! What a Gorgeous lemon tree..

Pomelo? Or really big Grapefruit? My big cell lends contrast.. seriously, folks!

Lush rose bush full of buds..

The wood is decked in light green leaf.

The swallow twitters in delight.

The lonely vine sheds joyous tears
Of interwoven dew and light.

Spring weaves a gown of green to clad
The mountain height and wide-spread field.

O when wilt thou, my native land,
In all thy glory stand revealed?

~Ilia Chavchavadze~ Spring

A Beautiful Camelia tree

Nothing says, “California” like our state flower! The California Poppy!

More Beautiful bulbs..

ooOOoo! Daffodils!! It must be Spring!!!

Forget not that the earth likes to feel your bare feet
and the winds long to play with your hair.

~Kahlil Gibran~

Spring/Ostara marks the rekindling of life within the Earth and the renewal of fertility, not just in the physical form of the plant life displayed above, and baby animals soon to be born, but also in our spiritual lives. Whatever your religious beliefs, I would encourage you to utilize this renewed energy in forms which call to your heart. Spend time in the garden, encouraging the birth of new life by planting seeds. Or birth forth your own creation in a favourite artistic endeavor! As always, I would encourage partaking in an activity which brings you further into balance with nature and fellow humankind, for we share this Beautiful Earth, and journey of Season’s changing.

Love and Blessings,
Antonia