Written by Maeven Eller-Five
Spring Begins Its Song
At this time of year, we find the promise of Spring begins its song. Even as the February chill is still on the air, Spring begins it’s far off call. It stirs deep within us, knawing at our chilled bones, reminding us it won’t be long now before warmer temperatures are here. Our hungry Ancestors waiting out the last of Winter found this stirring deep within a comfort, knowing it meant the cycle of life continued on.
The Slumbering Mother Stirs
Imbolc translates to “in the belly” referring to the pregnant ewes preparing to give birth to the lambs they’ve been carrying. February found the Goddess still “in the belly of the Mother.” As Imbolc falls between Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, many European traditions celebrated the coming of Spring at this time. The seeds are even now stirring deep with the slumbering Mother. Their stretching and reaching for the growing Sun has begun.
Time To Celebrate
Historically February is the month of purification, celebration, and fertility. Many cultures observe this time with festivities that are about excess and a genuine catharsis. Lupercalia, Mardi Gras, Carnival, and even Valentines Day are examples of our need to shake off the Winters grip with zeal.
From The Seeds To The Sunlight
It’s this time of the year that gardeners eagerly await the arrival of their seed catalogs. There is nothing like a mailbox full of this season’s catalogs to stir us into planning for this year’s flower and garden beds. The big box stores are starting to line their shelves with all the accouterments needed to thrill and tantalize us with the promise of blooms to come. Our first tomatoes, hanging ripe and warmed by the Sun, aren’t far off now.
Out With The Old
“Out with the old and in with the new,” speaks to the simple joys of Spring Cleaning. When the days start to get longer, the promise of the freshness of Spring stirs within us. Just like our Ancestors before us, we long to throw open the windows and the doors. It’s time to air out the house, and welcome in the new season. In the Winter, we plan our gardens and consider the coming Summer. At that time we also envision all the ways we want to refresh and reorganize our homes. Spring cleaning is the way we bring into being all the goals we have dreamed while Winter still lingered outside our doors.
It is in these actions, and in these moments, when our harvest gets birthed. Choose wisely your seeds. We’ve all got big dreams to grow this Spring.
