TWH – Almost two weeks ago, the Worm Moon rose to reach its peak illumination at 7:42 A.M. EST on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. The name Worm Moon is thought to relate to the emergence of earthworms. It is also called the Crow Moon in some North American Indigenous communities because the cawing of crows marks the end of Winter. Others refer to it as the Sap Moon, marking the flow of sap in dormant trees that heralds the return of their leaves.
At The Wild Hunt HQ in Miami, spring has been springing for a while. So, here are some tropical flowers from our garden. African Tulip Tree (Spathodea campanulata) Photo Credit: [MJTM]
The Hindu festival of colors, Holi, was last week. Holi marks the beginning of spring and the end of winter and signifies the triumph of good over evil when prince Prahlada was protected by the god Vishnu from being burned in a bonfire because of his faith. The festival occurs on the day after the last full moon of the Hindu month of Phalguna. The celebration is marked by bonfires and the throwing of brightly colored powders that represent being engulfed by the bonfire and emerging unscathed like the prince.
The Sun does arise,
And make happy the skies.
The merry bells ring
To welcome the Spring.
The sky-lark and thrush,
The birds of the bush,
Sing louder around,
To the bells’ cheerful sound.
While our sports shall be seen
On the Echoing Green.– The Echoing Green, William Blake (1789)
Today marks the celebration of the March equinox and the astronomical beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere and autumn in the southern hemisphere. The actual equinox occurs today, Mar. 20, 2023, at 5:24 PM (21:24 Coordinated Universal Time). The word equinox comes from the Latin word “aequinoctium” meaning “equality between day and night that entered Middle English as “equinoxium.”
Giant Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai) [Photo Credit: S. Ciotti]
The March equinox in the northern hemisphere is called the vernal a term that also comes from Latin and means “spring.”
When lilacs last in the dooryard bloom’d,
And the great star early droop’d in the western sky in the night,
I mourn’d, and yet shall mourn with ever-returning spring.Ever-returning spring, trinity sure to me you bring,
Lilac blooming perennial and drooping star in the west,
And thought of him I love.– When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d, Walt Whiteman
Those living in the northern hemisphere will look forward to longer days and warmer weather while our family in Argentina, Australia, South Africa, and across the southern hemisphere will slowly turn to shorter days, cooler temperatures, and autumn joys.
Pink Cassia (Cassia bakeriana) [Photo Credit: S. Ciotti]
Many Pagans, Witches, Heathens, and polytheists celebrate the spring equinox as Ostara, Alban Eiler, Shubun-sai, or simply the coming of spring. Within their varied and diverse traditions, they find ways to honor or recognize the warming days and renewed growth, as winter slowly departs. In the southern hemisphere, many celebrate Mabon, the second harvest festival.
Frangipani or Plumeria (Plumeria rubra) [Photo Credit: MJTM]
Nowruz is the Persian New Year and occurs on the March Equinox. The festival is based on the Iranian Solar Hijri calendar. The festival is also honored in the Baha’i faith. The word Nowruz means “new day.” Other early springtime festivals are Higan in Japan, the Christian Easter, Purim – two weeks ago – and then Passover in the Jewish tradition.
Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata) [Photo Credit: MJTM}
There are many others both secular and religious.
Con la primavera
Viene la canción,
La tristeza dulce
Y el galante amor.Con la primavera
Viene una ansiedad
De pájaro preso
Que quiere volar.No hay cetro más noble
Que el de padecer:
Sólo un rey existe:
El muerto es el rey.– Con la primavera, José Martí
One of our carnivores builds pitchers this time of year [Nepenthes spp) [Photo Credit: MJTM]
However, you celebrate or honor this season, may it bring you renewal and a deeper connection with nature, your gods and spirits, and our ancestors.
Equinox blessings from The Wild Hunt!
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