The First Rays of Spring

"It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart."
-Rainer Maria Rilke

Even though we have several inches of new snow on the ground as a result of winter's last hurrah, it is now the first day of spring!

Today - the vernal equinox - is when the sun crosses the celestial equator on its northward journey, signifying the beginning of autumn for the Southern Hemisphere and the beginning of spring for the Northern Hemisphere. At the moment of equinox, there is a perfect balance of darkness and light. The amount of the sun's energy that reaches the Northern and Southern Hemispheres is equal. Balance is the word of the day and a concept worth reflecting on. In what ways does your life feel out of balance? How can you cultivate balance?

It is also a time to prepare for new life, new beginnings, rebirth. A time to prepare to blossom. Last week, one of my students commented that last year's garden died. Isn't it wonderful that during spring we get to plan and plant a completely new garden? It's a time to start fresh. We have the chance to think about what we want to grow this year. Perhaps we want to grow more of something, or cut back on something else. Perhaps there are some things we will choose not to plant at all. I love how it feels to select seeds for the garden each year. So many choices and possibilities! It's all such a fabulous metaphor.

I experienced the colorful shift from winter to spring on the river this morning. Here is a photograph I snapped at the moment of equinox:

I was struck by the balance between the pastel hues of springtime and the snow on the trees and shore (not visible in this image).

Here is the view facing north a couple minutes later:

 And here are the very first, golden rays of spring: 

And finally, the view from our yard: 

Happy Spring, everyone!

"Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!"
-Sitting Bull

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