Now it’s clocks changing, next it’s Nowruz

Some 300 million people around the world are starting their annual celebration of renewal and harmony with nature in what is to them the biggest cultural holiday of the year, typically involving 13 days of rituals. I refer to “Nowruz”, celebrated in 21 countries. On a far more secular level, many of us already engage in one component, that of “Spring Cleaning” as a timely breath of fresh air, renewal post winter hibernations, and in advance of Ramadan, Passover and Easter where we welcome loved ones back into the home for feasts & festivities.

Marking Solstice & Equinox may seem irrelevant  if you’re living a modern world guided more by technology than ebbing and waning tides, progressions of new moons, or crop-planting cycles. In fact, these dates may strike you as completely arbitrary points on the solar calendar.  However, and no matter where you are on Earth, the equinox brings us a number of seasonal effects, noticeable to nature lovers around the globe. Make no mistake, the equinox is an actual harbinger, and of real change, not merely for the farmer’s almanac or fishing calendars. There’s a good chance you will be feeling it even just these few days after “springing” our clocks forward.

This time of year is the ideal time to get centered on what intentions and energies we wish to create, honor and bring forth in our most active months.  An herbal or floral smudge stick, incense, herbal tea, detox tincture or tonic, and non-toxic beeswax candle can all be useful tools for meditations, detoxing and spiritual practices.  We are proud that all ours are not merely pretty, but clean and harmless to all animals and humans, from mini-me to our elders.

Birds, bees and butterflies are migrating along the path of the sun. Plants are beginning a new cycle of growth, spring flowers are beginning to bloom and trees are budding. Animals are giving birth, the young are getting their wobbly legs under them and farms are a-buzz with new life.   It’s a most exciting time to be a farmer and homesteader. Join us as we celebrate Spring cleaning, Harvests ahead, Renewal, and Rebirth.