Spring Equinox

Spring Time 20th march- 30th April
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Spring Time 20th march- 30th April ( extract from the Woodland Bard Course )
 
Spring has arrived, the light is balancing the darkness and the green world is truly awakening from its deep slumber. This is a time of activity, putting into action the dreams of winter. However this is also a time when we move forward with caution, the innocent infancy of Imbolc is now entering a world of infinite possibility and the decisions we make will affect the path we will take for the year.
 
However fear does not need to freeze us, as each journey is always a valuable experience.
 
Raw and chill is icy spring ,Cold sits on every wind.
On the sodden pool, ducks cry out, Eager is the harsh-shrieking crane.
From the wilderness Wolves scent morning prey, Birds rise from meadowed nest,
Many are the wild things of the wood, That they flee from out of the greening earth.
Anon. Irish poem, 11th Century, trans C.matthews.
 
The above verse conveys this darker side of spring, the loss of innocence as all awakens and the cold days still remind us of harsher times.
 
This is also captured in the Christian concept of Lent, for Spring can be a lean time as the winter stocks dwindle and early crops have not quite reached fruition indicating it is the natural time to fast and abstain.
Lent is from the Norse word 'Lenct'  which means the lengthening time of the Alder, a tree whose catkins are borne at this time of year along with the striking silver turning to gold willow catkins.

The woodland willow stands, a lonely bush of nebulous silver,
There the spring Goddess cowers in faint attire of frightened fire.  Robert Bridges 1844-1930
 
Both these trees are of the waterways as the Spring Goddess reveals herself in the ebb and flow of the rivers and in the waxing moon, coaxing new life into abundant growth. Water has a feminine quality and is a giver of new growth just like the young Goddess.
 
A spring celebration could include a Wicca basket (or any receptacle of your choice) of daffodils and other spring flowers as a focal point to celebrate the awakening of nature.
 
Now we can experience the awakening of nature representing the soul’s journey into adolescence allowing us to explore, create and enjoy the fecundity of the land and life.
 
Enjoy the beauty of spring through the eyes of a young soul in expectation of an adventurous and fruitful year.

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