Bringing Back the Wonder and Magic of Spring
March is a marvelous month that marks the beginning of spring. By astronomical calendars, spring begins on March 20th, or the Spring Equinox, when the length of night and day is equal. From this day onward to summer, the days grow incrementally longer and warmer, bringing plants back to bloom and baby animals out to frolic.
Across many cultures from past to present, spring represents renewal and new beginnings. In Greek mythology, the story of Persephone’s abduction by the god of the underworld and her return to the earth each spring explains the cycles of the seasons. When she goes into the underworld, death and darkness reign. When she returns to earth, light and life return again.
A similar story of death and renewal is found in Egyptian mythology. Osiris, the god of fertility, agriculture, and afterlife, was killed by his brother Set, the god of chaos and destruction. The goddess Isis through her tears of grief brought Osiris back to life, but only for a short period of time. Together, they conceived a son, who overthrows Set. The story’s themes of death, resurrection, and conception explain the annual flooding of the Nile that brings fertility back to the land.
We also find many representations of spring’s renewal, such as, eggs, nests, flowers, birds, lambs, and rabbits, in the Christian holiday, Easter, the celebration of Christ’s resurrection.
Celebrating the turn of the seasons has long been a part of our traditions and rituals because the seasons remind us of life’s natural cycles. When we take part in these seasonal celebrations, we foster a sense of hopefulness and belonging. We are a part of the natural cycles of life, which show us that new beginnings often follow the coldest, darkest nights.
Here are some ideas to bring the magic of spring into our life:
Plant seeds. Even a few herb plants on your windowsill is enough to reawaken the seed of hope inside ourselves. Nurture and watch the seeds grow and observe your own growth and blossoming.
Make and share a special meal. Hot cross buns and Challah bread are some traditional spring food you can make. Coming from an Asian culture, spring rolls comes to mind for me.
Go on a wildflower hike. In spring, the hillsides are covered with a carpet of stunning wildflowers such as California poppies and lupins. Explore a local state park or natural preserve where you can enjoy native blooms.
Learn about birds. Grab some binoculars and see if you can identify the birds in your backyard. Check out Ebird for photos and info about birds in your area.
Make a spring craft. One of our favorite spring projects is Natural Dyed Eggs. You can use common ingredients like onion skins, red cabbage, turmeric, and berries to dye eggs. The colors are lovely! We’ll share several easy and fun spring DIY projects on Instagram throughout this season.
With cheerful spring tidings,
Ann