After the huge snowstorm that swept through over the past few days and covered the landscape with a foot or so of snow, it is difficult to wrap my head around the idea that we are about halfway between winter solstice and spring equinox! If I want to lean into spring, I surely can, as was evidenced by the sighting of the first robin a couple of days ago – the very day that the snow was coming down at its heaviest.
As if to leave no doubt that spring is imminent, my inboxes today, February 5th, are filled with greetings for the Indian festival Basant (spring) Panchami (fifth day of the lunar month). The festival celebrates the onset of spring, decked in yellows, and honors the Goddess Saraswati, the patron of arts, education and knowledge.
Yes. My mind and body may be still be stuck in winter, but no matter where my heart looks, the flow of spring has already begun! When has winter had enough power to hold back spring anyway? All the external signs are asking me to get ready for spring — the sun is getting higher in the sky, its arc between sunrise and sunset is getting wider, and the light is getting brighter.
In addition to the external signs, there are internal signs of spring too. These ones are a bit more subtle, but they are there for sure. As I observe the flow within, I can make better decisions on what to keep and what to let go — inner spring cleaning. As a result, the heart flows easier and feels lighter overall — a sign of spring — even though there are ‘heavy’ winter-like days when a storm or squall comes through.
Are you seeing or feeling any signs of ‘spring’ where you are at in your life right now? Or do you feel that the ‘winter thaw’ is a ways away for you yet? Or are you at a stage in life where you remain in a state of deep content, regardless of the ‘signs’ or the ‘season’?
Kumud
P.S. Join us for our weekly gathering on twitter with the #SpiritChat community, Sunday Feb 6 at 9amET / 730pm India. We will chat about signs of spring in our lives. Namaste – @AjmaniK
The #SpiritChat Community 