By Jonathan A. Ward

Our world is tilted, spinning through space, and going around in circles. It’s the Earth’s ever-changing tilt toward or away from the Sun that causes our seasons. Winter for us in the Northern Hemisphere happens when we are furthest away from the Sun, and summer occurs when we’re nearest. The evolving tilt following the winter solstice usually on December 21 means spring is coming — hours of daylight gradually increasing and the weather getting warmer.

Over the centuries ancient astronomers in Babylonia, Egypt, and Rome devised our calendar. It’s based on lunar cycles — from new to full moons. Each lunar cycle lasts 29.5 days, and thus there are 12.37 lunar cycles in a calendar year of 365.24 days — hence we have 12 months. The early Roman calendar had only 10 months, but they adjusted to 12 to reflect the 12 lunar cycles in a year. The 2 months the Romans added were January and February, named for Janus, god of beginnings, and February named for the the Roman festival of purification. March is named for Mars, the god of war; April for Aphrodite, the goddess of love; May for the goddess of vegetation; June for Juno, goddess of marriage and children; July for Julius Caesar; and August for Caesar Augustus. Interestingly, September, October, November, and December were named thus because they were the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th months of the original 10-month long Roman calendar, and those names were kept even though they became the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th months in new 12-month calendar.

The etymology of “spring” is thought be derived from nature springing forth after winter’s chill. Astrologically spring lasts from the Vernal Equinox, usually March 21, to the summer solstice around June 21. Meteorologically (weather-wise) spring traditionally begins on March 1st and ends on May 30th. Some cultures have celebrated spring as the beginning of a new year and a time of new beginnings — weddings, cleaning, reorganizing, maybe buy a new Ferrari. It’s a time of holidays — Easter, May Day, Mothers and Fathers Days, and Carnival. Back east a common saying is “April showers bring May flowers.” And the Mayflower brought …. pilgrims.

In spring the warmer weather brings a plethora of changes in nature. In winter animals migrate south to warmer climes or hibernate; trees shed their leaves. Spring is when animals awaken or return northward. Trees and plants similarly come back to life in springtime — bulbs sprout; seeds germinate; flowers bloom; barren trees are once again covered in greenery; and birds build nests.

California experiences the seasons subtly compared to elsewhere in the United States. Growing up back east, winter would bring freezing temps and snow; early spring would be windy, followed by rain showers, and ever-warming weather; summer would be hot and humid; and autumn would be cooler with leaves changing color while the world slowly hibernates into winter’s chill. In California, spring seems to come early. Sometimes we just skip winter and go straight into spring. But even in California where the seasons don’t vary drastically, as our world awakens from winter’s cooler temps, we enjoy more sunlight, warmth, and nature’s awakenings. Zen emphasizes living in the “here and now.” You know, “Be here now. Be somewhere else later.” Thankfully here and now is a budding springtime, so let us rejoice in her splendor.