It’s the Spring Equinox and it’s snowing in the North Country. Go figure. Of course, if you look, you’ll find signs of spring all over. Nature just doesn’t throw a switch and say, “Tada! Spring now!” The transition between seasons is a gradual process full of growth and decline.
I spent the last couple weekend nature walks seeking signs of spring. I’ve already remarked about the buds on some of the trees. There are also small patches in the forest where the snow has melted, leaving lush puddles to sparkle in the sun (when she decides to show her face). The sounds of winter – ice falling from branches, red squirrels chattering, morning doves cooing – are starting to find new accompaniment from migrating song birds. I’ve heard their chant but not seen them yet!
Closer to home, now that the snow is starting to melt, there are patches of brown and green grass. There are also patches of other plants, like what I believe are mallows*. Oh, it makes my heart so happy to see the green…
The last time I left the forest, I stopped at a tree stump that always makes me think of An Cailleach. I thanked her for the lessons of winter. We’ve had a long, hard one but it teaches us patience, humility, and togetherness. These sort of winters also force us to reflect on our level of disaster preparedness. An Cailleach reminds us that we aren’t as in-control as we’d like to think, and it’s good to be reminded that. Each season has a way of making the others all that much sweeter as the wheel turns…
May you have a very blessed Spring Equinox! Go seek out the signs!
* If you’re an experienced forager and would like to chime in on whether or not those are, indeed, mallows that I photographed – I would appreciate your wisdom!
Author M. A. Phillips 
I’ve been seeing different signs of Spring all around here, too. It’s a tad warmer, you can feel Spring in the air, there is green grass showing/growing. It’s all so great to see and feel!