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| Humans bundled up for our morning walk along the Santa Fe River |
From sundown on February 1 through February 2 in the "Old Tradition" or Gaelic tradition marks the beginning of Spring. The Sun is halfway between Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox and days are beginning to lengthen This day is marked with discussion of how soon Spring weather will come and out of doors planting can begin.
The English name for this cross quarter day is Candlemas when the lighting of candles signified return of warmth and the increasing power of the Sun over the upcoming months when seeds are planted.
In this country Punxsutawney Phil, the "oldest" (said to be 132 years old) and the most famous groundhog in the United States, is traditionally brought out to determine when his shadow will be seen or not to forecast the ensuing six weeks of weather . . . Winter? or Spring? In spite of the fame, his accuracy is a mere 39%. Other locations in both the United States and Canada have there very own groundhog prognosticators with varying degrees of accuracy. Most individuals are dubious about planning their gardening activities with these predictions.
Lighting of candles in each room on the eve of Imbolc is a time honored way of dispensing with the old and bringing in the new. The activity is a way to respect the growth and renewal that comes forth each Spring. And sharing a meal with an abundance of food is a frequent ritual for recognizing the fertility of our gardening activities.
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| Bent by Rose B. Simpson showing at the Chiaroscuro Gallery, Santa Fe, NM. Hopefully we will not be "bent" from all the global chaos but rather Celebrate What's Right with the World. |
Gardening here in Santa Fe is so very different from gardening in West Sonoma County. It is however reminescent of gardening with my mom and grandmother during my childhood in Iowa. I am allowing all the plants to just BE in the garden during these mostly frigid days, except, of course, watering them with the buckets of water we harvest from inside rather than allowing it to flow down the drains.
I did enjoy perusing seeds catalogs during cold Winter days and ordering seeds for the upcoming growing season from Botanical Interests, Renee's Garden, Turtle Tree Seed and Wild Garden Seed. I am now looking forward to identifying the appropriate planting days for the seeds, for transplanting the seedlings and for then setting out the plants. For me this entire process is filled with awe: viewing the tiny little seeds and trusting that if I plant these seeds in favorable conditions, they will flourish into healthy, productive food plants for humans, insects and animals. Then as the growing season, short! here in the high mountainous desert, progresses I will be able to harvest the produce for our meals. I also celebrate the hummingbirds feasting on the various native flower nectars and the butterflies laying eggs from which caterpillars emerge and feast on the parsley and White Tufted Evening Primrose, for example. This cycle of gardening brings forth both the sense of wonder and celebration for me at this time inhabiting Mother Earth when chaos seems to be the "norm".
As we acknowledge Imbolc, the first day of Spring, may we each experience awe, wonder and celebration after an emotionally releasing
