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| early spring snowstorm 2010 |
I am starting to understand ancient man’s reason to tell the myths of Springtime. The Persephone and Brigid myths represent the struggle felt as winter is wont to let go and spring must irresistibly arrive. The old stories of the struggle for power between the Cailleach (the old woman of winter) and Brighid ( whose day is celebrated as the first day of the Celtic spring, February 1st) describes the turning of the seasons from winter to springtime. “In the myths, Cailleach brings winter snows while Brighid brings the first spring rains.” That is how our weather, here, seems to act. We have a few days when it feels spring-like, only to be blown away with gusts of sleet, snow, and freezing rain.
Spring almost seems to be the myth, and we doubt our memory of the warmth, the resurrection of our green earth, and the growing season once again appearing. But it will, it will.
Probably the crocus flowers are the most indicative sign of spring, though the snowdrops precede them in blooming. The snowdrops have their milky white and green daintiness, not vibrant enough to declare the spring as the clear golden yellow, bold violet, and gaily striped crocus. the crocus, little as it is, sings of spring and gathers the accompanying humming of bees to proclaim the victory of spring’s warmth. Even an April blizzard can’t quiet the sound.
But today,the winter’s quiet rules my garden. And only memory allows that spring is coming, and the hold of frozen cold cannot stay. Spring is silently marching northward. My heart hears its approach.
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A child’s rhyme ( children love these, and this is like the itty bitty spider):
My Garden
This is my garden
[Extend palm.]
I rake it with care
[Pretend to rake with three fingers.]
And then I plant flower seeds in there
[Pretend to plant.]
The sun will shine
[Hold arms in circle over head.]
And the rain will fall
[Wiggle fingers on both hands as move downwards.]
And my garden will blossom
[Cup hands.]
And grow straight and tall
[Stretch arms/hands up slowly.]
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© 2010 written for Ilona’s Garden Journal. Copyrights apply.
