Welcome To Spring!

CELEBRATIONS | by DEBRA PRINZING

MARCH 20 IS A MAGICAL DAY: It’s both the Spring Equinox and my son’s birthday. I take pleasure in the fact that his birth coincided with spring’s arrival. It feels symbolic and life-affirming, especially for a mother whose creative expression occurs in and around the garden (his older brother was born on Summer’s Solstice, so I guess you could say I’m twice-blessed).

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How do you celebrate the season’s turning?

Traditional practices are often linked to Pagan cultures. But I don’t think that’s the only way to define the Equinox. It can also be a spiritual time of new beginnings and personal growth.

I approach spring with a sacred sense of awe. I figure if I can’t climb a mountain peak or cross an ocean, at least I’ll experience the sensory presence of Nature (the sights, sounds, textures and fragrances) in my garden. This means being quiet and observant. I look for signs that the earth is waking up after a long, dormant period. My heart flutters with joy as I catch a glimpse of a hummingbird, darting from one blossom to the next in search of nectar.

I am equally charmed by a perennial bursting from the soil, reaching for the warm sun (I can’t recall ever planting it in the first place, which adds to my surprise). And the display of purple foliage or golden grass, glowing as the afternoon sun moves behind it, takes my breath away.

Anyone who has a patch of earth to call her own should appreciate the cherished ritual of springtime. The garden has a lot to teach us. Plant a seed. Provide it water, sun and fertilizer. Pull out a few weeds. Watch as the cycle begins anew. The very act of gardening is a statement of hope.