March Mayhem

I named this post 'March Mayhem' even though its not exactly chaotic.

I named it this way because in the weeks leading up to Spring (20th March 2016) there are many exciting things happening.

We suddenly recognise that the sun has now started to appear and remembering that the sky is in fact blue. Tricking us into believing the weather is nicer until we get outside and freeze our fingers off.

Or when the snow flows gently down from the clouds above, people shout 'But its spring!' But not at all, not yet at least. This year (end of last year also surprisingly) I have spotted a few trees showing up blossomed flowers, white and pink. As this winter has been quite a mild one, many trees have felt the need to grow suddenly too early and thus will unfortunately die earlier in the summer/autumn time and wont be able to pollinate as good as the other trees still waiting. Sometimes its a hard thing to remember that plants are living things too and are aware of the temperature and the climate.

When the snowdrops start to pop their heads out from the soil, people say this is also the start of spring. I like to look at snowdrops as the the sign of the ending of winter. Imbolc is a perfect example of this. The middle point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, it symbolises the fact we must get prepared for the awakening and rebirth of the earth. Although I have read that some cultures recognise the first day of February as the start of spring, I still hold onto the end of March being the actual day mainly as we must remember Spring is not about the first leaf on the tree growing, or the daffodil sprouting out in the garden, these are merely signs of the earth stirring beneath our feet. The First Day of spring is when you will be able to see a noticeable difference to the outside natural wonder we call nature. All the trees have a few leaves growing, all the daffodils have sprouted along with bushes, other beautiful plants and the there is a significant difference in the temperature in the air. Spring is still allowed to have coldness and frost. The sun is not at full force until Summer Solstice let us not forget.

What I am try to say is, lets not get sad when it rains, for this is what the ground needs to feed the plants. Let us take things slow, and embrace each moment, as you look out the window and gradually the colour returns. Its an exciting time of the year and we don't want it to be here and gone in the blink of an eye.

Have a blessed March! - Quinn