Last day of winter

[vaneramos]

jeff2001 pointed out that spring starts at 10:49 p.m. PST, but that doesn't do me any good. Vernal Equinox indeed comes early this year, but here in EST, it happens at 1:49 a.m. on March 20. My birthday occurs relentlessly on the last day of winter. Besides, I woke up solidly 40 this morning; I was born around 6 a.m., almost 18 hours earlier than my West Coast friend.

I don't remember the last time we had so much snow on the ground for my birthday, either. Here are my obligatory Eramosa River birthday pictures.

Comments

[leafshimmer.livejournal.com]

These are gorgeous. The river looks so springlike.

I guess those are Canada geese???

FWIW, in the Pagan Calendar we celebrate the beginning of Spring in the early February festival honoring the fireworking healing Goddess Brighid. The Equinox marks the midpoint of Spring. And Summer begins with Beltane or May Day... I have noticed that a lot of NeoPagans in North America reject this way of understanding it, but that is the original rhythm of the year. We do usually get a Feb. thaw and I like thinking of that as the first shift in energies that signals the onset of Springtide. I also like thinking of May, when a lot of things are coming into bloom and we get the first weather when once can be outdoors with clothes off comfortably, as the onset of Summer.

hugs, Shimmer

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Yes, Canada geese. I didn't think they needed to be introduced. ;-)

I had to think for a long, long time to figure out what FWIW stood for. My favourite interpretation was Fucking With Immense Willies.

[rsc.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I like that! "FWIW" is an abbreviation of long-standing use on Usenet. I'm tempted to steal that remark of yours and add it to the rotating list of "signature" quotes I use in my Usenet postings, with your permission of course. (And attributed anonymously, if you'd prefer.)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

You're most welcome, but I don't mind taking credit for a little cleverness.

[rsc.livejournal.com]

All right. And if anyone asks "Who the heck is Van Waffle?" I'll point them to your LJ. Thanks.

[rsc.livejournal.com]

The Equinox marks the midpoint of Spring. And Summer begins with Beltane or May Day.

Something tells me this tradition originated in a climate somewhat different from what northern North America enjoys at present.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Even our Groundhog Day tradition seems stupid. We inevitably have another six weeks of winter, regardless of what Wiarton Willie or P. Pete see.

[rsc.livejournal.com]

I've always thought the whole Groundhog Day thing had been intended as a joke, for that very reason. If the ground hog sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter. Doesn't say what happens if the ground hog doesn't see his shadow.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Traditionally that indicates an early spring, and yet we never get much before the middle of March.