Happy Spring Everyone! Spring officially arrived in the Northern Hemisphere today, March 20, 2022, at 11:33 AM EDT.
This day is also known as the Vernal Equinox, vernal meaning new and fresh and equinox coming from the Latin word aequus meaning equal and nox meaning night.
Today the Sun's disk is directly over the equator producing the effect of equal day and night. It is not exactly 12 hours of each but it's fairly close. There are 2 equinoxes each year, one in March and one in September. It is the only time throughout the year where the sun rises due east and sets due west, except for those that live near the poles. The Earth's axis is not pointed toward or away from the sun so this is the day to balance an egg upright on a level surface. Apparently, this myth dates back to the ancient Chinese creating displays of eggs standing on end on the first day of Spring. I tried this a couple of minutes after the vernal equinox but it didn't work for me.
As each day passes the sun will get higher in the sky, in this hemisphere, increasing our daylight until the summer solstice in June.
Spring is a wonderful time of year with the birds returning, listening to their song and chirps,
trees beginning to bud out, spring flowers blooming, hibernating animals awakening, going for long walks, opening windows to allow fresh air in, our sense of smell awakening, soaking up the heat in the sun's rays, getting back in our gardens and the list goes on.
There are many cultures that celebrate the arrival of spring, Christians celebrate Easter, the Jewish faith celebrate Passover, pagans celebrate Beltane or May Day. In Japan, the blossoming of cherry trees has become a national event. Holi, a colourful festival observed by Hindus in Northern India, celebrates the end of winter and the spring growing season. In Bosnia, the Cimburijada festival celebrates the first day of Spring. And Mexicans travel to the Teotihuacan Pyramid climbing the 360 steps to the top to get closer to portals of energy on the vernal equinox.
Nowruz, meaning 'new' 'day' is celebrated in countries located in Central Asia, symbolizing new life, new beginnings and the rebirth of nature.
Cheer's to new beginnings....and a heartfelt communion goes out to Ukraine.
Charlie, Welcoming Committee Chair, celebrating the arrival of Spring
