February, March, April

The Seasons of Conception & Birth

In the northern hemisphere the season of conception begins on Imbolic; which lands on February 1st on the Gregorian Calendar. Imbolic is a turning point in the natural world, from mid-winter to the pre-spring season, because it is the half-way marker between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. This is the time of conception in the natural world. It is the moment life is created, but before it births in full form. Above ground, much is still dormant, but below ground life is very slowly beginning to stir. The original Celtic word "Imbolg'', means 'in the belly' and it’s a symbol that all is pregnant and expectant - only just visible (if at all) like the gentle curve of a just-showing pregnancy. By taking a walk in nature and observing with a very keen eye, we can see this to be true. While it still feels like winter, the first buds on the trees are every so slightly present.

After Imbolic, we come to the Spring Equinox and Easter or Ostara; the official first day of Spring which is typically celebrated between March 19th and March 22nd. It is the time of year the flora and fauna birth into beautiful statements of life. Traditionally, Ostara, the Spring Equinox and the Easter holiday were all one in the same - a celebration of the return of life on earth and the balance of daylight and night. As time has passed, Easter and the Spring Equinox have been disected into separate religious and cultural holidays, leaving the Ostara celebrations as a relic of the past. No matter what cultural seasonal holidays you celebrate today, I’m hopeful that my suggestions will inspire a new way to infuse nature into these beautiful past-time traditions.

Springtime is an entire season dedicated to the celebration of new beginnings, fertility, the quickening of life, and the beautiful birthing and rebirthing process. In nature we watch new babies hatch, fuzzy wide-eyed animals emerge and take their first steps, and delicate blooms flower a fragrant performance. This season is intoxicatingly beautiful and always passes much too quickly. In my efforts to slow down and live more connected to nature, I’ve compiled a list of ways to live seasonally in spring.

Eat Seasonally In Spring

After a long winter there is nothing more welcome than the sight of fresh spring greens. My taste buds relish the nourishing bright flavors and my eyes feast on all the color! I invite you to indulge in all the deliciousness too. Devour all the fresh greens you can get your hands on, enjoy root vegetables, and the first farm-fresh eggs of the season. And, if you are really adventurous, try growing some edible flowers like violas to add to your spring green salads. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll never look back.

If you have difficulty acquiring fresh seasonal produce from your local market, try purchasing seeds and growing early greens in your garden or in pots on your porch. By the time the Spring Equinox rolls around most climates are ready for early greens to be planted. The fastest growing seasonal spring vegetables are spinach, peas, radish, chives, scallions, and arugula. To protect these outdoor baby plants from spring frosts and snows, just place a clear tupperware or a halved milk jug over the top as a repurposed gardening cloche.

An added benefit of eating seasonally is that it is tremendously good for the environment. Produce that is available at the market, but not in-season locally, has been shipped in from across the world and has a high carbon-footprint attached. When we eat produce that is in season, and grown locally, we are supporting our local biodiversity and economy. Not only is it better on our wallet, and our bodies, but it is better for the planet as well.

Here’s what’s in season:

Asparagus, Arugula, Onions, Leeks, Radish, Carrots, Spinach, Avocado, Lettuce, Kale, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Cabbage, Beets, Rhubarb, Garlic, Bok Choy, Chives, Herbs, Morel Mushrooms, Peas, Potatoes, Rhubarb, and Scallions.

Celebrate Nature’s Holidays in Spring

Imbolic (February 1st)

The halfway marker between Mid-Winter and the Spring Equinox is Imbolic. It is a day to welcome the tiniest rays of light back into our seasonal living experience. New life stirs below the surface despite it still being winter. Leading up to the Spring Equinox is period of time to celebrate hope. I like to celebrate this day by doing an indoor spring plant craft, going on an outdoor walk to notice the first buds of the season, or by planning my kitchen garden for the growing season ahead.

Ostara + Spring Equinox (March 19th - 22nd)

Ostara is a Pagan goddess who oversees the budding of plants and the fertility of the earth. Ostara is also a pagan celebration that honors the balance of light and dark in this season, based on the sun’s positioning. For centuries this celebration has been about the reemergence of life on earth following the cold dark winter. Our modern christian-rooted, Easter holiday, is an echo of this ancient nature-led celebration. Celebrate this day by planting seeds in the garden, going for a springtime walk in nature to see what is blooming or leafing out. Dye eggs with natural plant dyes (such as acorns, coffee grounds, avocado pits, turmeric, cabbage, and onion skins), then hide them for children to discover under leaves, on fences, and behind blooms. To celebrate this day, I love to host an intimate equinox gathering with friends where we cook springtime meals around our fire pit, and join in conversation surrounding themes of this season. We use thematic words like: re-emergence, resurrection, re-surfacing, birthing, and blooming to inspire our intentional dialog.

Outdoor Adventures in Spring

After nesting inside during the cold dark months of winter, springtime sunshine and the smell of damp earth beckons me. I love to adventure outside even during the transitioning weather. Springtime passes so quickly that everyday presents a new picture on the canvas of nature. I love to take daily walks and note the changes in a nature journal with sketches and words to remember. Other times, I take pictures with my camera to capture the sequence of change that occurs rapidly from one day too the next. Here are some ideas to get you outside and reveling in the wonder of nature this season:

Plant your garden or start your seeds, go for a walk looking for signs of spring, and open the windows of your home so the fresh air enlivens your space. Spring clean the house, walk barefoot on the cool earth and enjoy the warmth of the sun on your face, and visit new farm animal babies. Pack some snacks, and have a low waste picnic in the park. Draw shapes in the dirt, and look for footprints of wildlife. Cook a seasonal meal, dye eggs with natural plant dyes, play with children outside by collecting treasures in nature (like stones, sticks, flowers, and leaves). Forage for early spring herbs (like nettle, wild garlic, and dandelion), and bring foraged blossoms indoors to make a wild flower arrangement.

Springtime Crafts

In springtime, it’s hard to get me to do crafts that don’t involve plants in some way. A great way to craft in springtime is to make an indoor kokedama garden, a fairy garden, or a terrarium plant arrangement. I also like to dye eggs using natural dyes like acorns, onion skins, coffee grounds, or avocado pits. Another easy craft is making flower table arrangements, a wreathe, or flower crown with foraged budding branches and springtime blooms.

What is your favorite way to connect to nature in spring?

Spring Seasonal Living Tips