As promised, here is a photo of another daffodil in the patio. I expect to have more of these in different colors and varieties as the season continues. Click to enlarge.
February 2009
Cross-Quarter Days – Happy Imbolc!
Today is February 3rd which is a cross-quarter day. During Earth’s orbital motion, cross-quarters occur midway between solstices and equinoxes. They have been observed by cultures for many, many centuries. Today, for example, might have been the day that nomadic tribes may start their journey toward spring hunting and gathering lands.
Image: Imbolc – click for a complete orbital depiction.
In our culture, we consult a fat rodent for a non-scientific weather prediction – sort of like Al Gore, in a way.
A good place to read about equinoxes, solstices and cross-quarters is Archeoastronomy.com. The cross-quarter days are summarized below the break:
Thus, Imbolc was the beginning of Spring. Imbolc corresponds more or less to Groundhog Day in the USA, February 2, when tradition has it that if a sleepy groundhog creeping out of its burrow at dawn sees its shadow, there are 6 more weeks of winter. (If not, we surmise, only 42 days remain.) Solmonath and Candlemas were Church-approved substitute names for Imbolc, which is spelled Imbolg by some pagans. Druids prefer Oimeaig, pronounced IM-mol’g.
Trimming the Hawthorne Bush
An unfortunate consequence of trimming the shrubs around the house is the inevitable loss of some of the little blossoms. These were on the Hawthorne bush today before I cut it back. Not to worry, the spring growth will bring plenty of these as it always has. Click for a close-up of Verna’s image below.
Pink Icelandic Poppy
This pink Icelandic Poppy bud just opened a day ago. I love the subtle color of these poppies and hope that there will be a variety of colors as the flowers bloom. Click image to enlarge.
