Spring is coming...Spring Equinox...

By José Blanco



So, the Equinox, on March 20 in 2011, will mark the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere and fall (autumn) in the southern hemisphere, from an astronomical viewpoint. The March equinox will occur at 23:21 (or 11:21pm) at Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on this date. (Link to reference) That time for Atlanta is... UTC - 5 or 23.21 minus 5 = 18.21.
That number minus 12, is 6:21 PM.

So, Spring starts in the evening...?!!!

"The March equinox is the movement when the sun crosses the true celestial equator – or the line in the sky above the earth’s equator – from south to north, around March 20 (or March 21) of each year. At that time, day and night are balanced to nearly 12 hours each all over the world and the earth’s axis of rotation is perpendicular to the line connecting the centers of the earth and the sun." See reference.
From there, the night is shorter, and the days are longer, over here in ATL. More light; more heat. More vegetation, spring is alive and well! We can start saying good-by to the cold nights and days. We start putting away the dark and heavy clothing. Start wearing lighter and colorful clothes. "Spring is in the air!"
And with that, inside, a change also happens. One feels lighter, hopeful, alive - er, energized. It is as if the inside were emulating the outside. And it is reflected in all we do. Stow away the dark and heavy; clear the closet. Put on those sandals. Let the sun shine in! Open the windows...slightly, that is, and more after the pollen is gone, of course!
But what is also happening on the inside? Another opportunity to be grateful for hope, and all it is? Another chance at trusting: at trusting the better...rather than expecting the worst? What is it? For you? What is it? For me?
Can I practice this feeling, this sensation of  newness and light, taking it from nature's plane to my inner life and keeping it there? Available at recall? Or am I at the mercy of the whims of my feelings and sensations, just like the tides: coming in, and out. Roaring in, 'disturbing the peace', bringing fright and scary anticipations, and quieting as they smoothen on their way out and away, leaving us flattened and spent? 



Can I practice Spring and its wonders, or do I keep intent on Winter's darkness? Is it not time to awaken, and bloom? 

Can I choose? Am I free to?

Happy Birthday, new life: happy birth day, Spring of my life! Pssst!: what is that date and time again?

Comments

  1. Chris GlaserMarch 6, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    Thanks for this reminder, Jose! I am ready to leave this "winter of discontent" and open myself to a fresh spring!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Chris GlaserMarch 6, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    Thanks for the reminder, Jose! I am ready to leave behind this "winter of discontent" and welcome a fresh spring with arms wide open!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMarch 6, 2011 at 4:20 PM

    I like the note....Some experts say 2011 begins on March 20, 2011...The start of Spring 2011 or the year 2011, reflects that we will have big changes and significant changes around the Earht, it is the begining of a new cycle.... Have a wonderful time....Jaquelina

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMarch 7, 2011 at 8:23 PM

    Brother Jose
    I like your way of thinking and writing. Thanks for sharing your spirituality with us. Peace !

    ReplyDelete

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Share with me your thoughts, insights, reactions, your way of seeing it;. That is a real conversation. Thanks! ¡Gracias!

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