Welcome Imbolc

We were discussing when spring commences this morning. Janet was of course correctly* stating it begins at equinox, which is what the Met Office call the start of the astronomical spring season. But that would mean the start of summer is June 21st - or as we know it, midsummer. The meteorological spring would run from the start of March to the end of May, but hey, what does the weather know about seasons nowadays...

Taking the thirteen week period between Yule (midwinter) and the equinox (mid spring), the transition would be around now - Imbolc. And that's what it feels like today - bright low Sun, bulbs pushing through and birdsong in every tree. It's lovely. And long awaited. Of course, I mentioned the chaotic seasons we seem to enjoy now, so exactly when spring starts is up to you.

This clump of snowdrops in the village church thinks it's spring. They told me so, as I walked past this morning. Backlit by a gorgeously warm Sun they cried out Yes! And I smiled back (because, you know, talking to plants on the public highway can get you locked up). Imbolc is the Gaelic name for the start of spring and the festival is sacred to the triple deity Brigid, favourite of smiths and healers, bringing new light and new life.

* of course, correctly!