Spring is Here
Spring is a serious shift in energy. From the dark and calm of winter to the rush of life beginning in spring. It can feel buzzy and overwhelming to shift from a season that promotes hibernation to one of racing forward. We might see little green shoots pushing up through the earth, a little more light and a slightly warmer sun, although in my opinion, the wind this time of year in New England has a way of negating any help the sun gives us. For my friends in Midwest, it seems winter is still firmly hanging on and continuing to drop snow. I find myself impatient this time of year, or more so than normal anyway. I’m ready for full on warmth, 70 degrees and flowers everywhere. But spring is slow to arrive in the Northeast. Still, there is an air of rebirth in our midst. I might not be able to see what’s starting to grow yet, but I know it’s happening. And it has me thinking about what I might want to plant this spring. Maybe a flower garden, something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.
The change of season last week has me thinking about two of my favorite mythological characters, Ceres and Persephone. Astronomically they are considered dwarf planets, and asteroids in the language of astrology. For me it’s fascinating to see how these myths play into our personal stories through our birth charts and this is part of what I love so much about astrology.
In Roman mythology Ceres is the goddess of agriculture and fertility. In Greek Mythology this goddess is known as Demeter, the mother. Entomologically Ceres means to grow, feed and nourish. Therefore Ceres was the patron of farmers. She is often depicted with sheaves of wheat and the word cereal is derived from her name.
As the myth goes, she gave birth to one daughter, Perserpina (Persephone in Greek myth) who was abducted by the lord of the underworld Pluto. Ceres wailed and raged searching desperately for her daughter but could not find her. Jupiter and Mercury sent a message to Pluto to please return Proserpina to her mother and restore life to the earth, and he agreed only if she had not eaten the fruit of the underworld, but she had already eaten pomegranates. So, Pluto made a deal with Ceres that Proserpina would have to spend some months with him in the underworld, therefore creating winter because Ceres’ mourning in these months ceased the land’s fertility. Upon her return to her mother, life would again begin to grow.
Mythology story adapted from https://mythopedia.com/topics/ceres
I love this story, even though there is great pain and sadness in it. I just can’t help but think of it every time the seasons change. Winter can be so dark and feel so lifeless on the surface. Life can feel frozen and gloomy as we hunker down trying to find warmth. But there is still life happening. The old, dead things from fall are breaking down and transforming into new life. A process Pluto is known for. A necessary process in nature, and one might argue in our human lives too.
As someone who, to use a word I’ve recently embraced, feels the bittersweet of the transition, Spring can feel like quite a jolt and it takes a minute for me to readjust to the buzz I feel starting. (Side note: if you too feel this you may enjoy the book Bittersweet by Susan Cain.) Once I settle in, I feel joyful as I emerge from our dark stay in the metaphorical underworld letting the sun warm my face. When the first spring crocuses peek out it can almost feel like magic. Little purple, white, and yellow cups making their way out into the world, timidly hovering near the ground announcing spring is here. And then spring takes off, galloping with life, mimicking Ceres’ joy at having her daughter returned to her.
So, I take this moment to honor the transition of season happening and contemplate what I want to grow this spring, both literally and metaphorically. What seeds are you planting? What endeavors have transformed this winter and are now ready for new life?
May all that felt far away now be returned to you and all that needed to be transformed come back to you in the beauty of blooming flowers.
Notes:
Photo is from the Cazimi Collaborative Rebirth and Renewal Weaving.
If you are interested in astrology and you’d like to see your natal chart you can get a free one at https://www.astro.com/cgi/genchart.cgi. You will need to have your birth day, time, and location. If you are interested in working with Astrologers see my Patterns post for some of my favorite astrologers or email me and I can either do a basic reading for you for a small fee or suggest some reading material.