Monday, March 21, 2011

Verbal Equinox

I'm writing this because it's the first full day of spring. I've mentioned before how I feel about the first day of any period of time - a new year, a new season, a new phase in life, or any other way we designate and parcel out the passage of our days. The vernal equinox is particularly significant to me, because spring is without a doubt my favourite season. I love it from beginning to end, especially the earliest stages of spring, when most people think it's dreary and dull, and are missing the tiny, subtle signs that new life is emerging after months in the dark. It's such an exciting time, and so full of promise. So naturally I want to make sure that this day sets the tone for the entire season.
In order for this day to represent what I want for this spring, and indeed, the rest of my life, I must be creative and productive. So that's why I'm writing this little blurb. I really don't have that much to say, despite the long absence from my little web. I've been busy, very busy, and, I'm grateful to say, in a creative way. But my brief, intense foray into another non-paying gig as an actress is over, and I'm back here to muse awhile.
Where to begin? There's so much happening in the world right now that it makes my head reel and my heart ache. The force of Mother Nature has revealed her most powerful, destructive self in Japan. The gargantuan earthquake and disastrous tsunami have been followed by the all too human threat of nuclear fallout. What hubris is it that makes man (and I do mean "man" in a radical feminist kind of way) to build nuclear power plants on a volatile string of small, geologically unstable islands and think that somehow, some way, Mother Earth won't show us who's really boss around here? And then there's Libya and all that. Aargh!
The Chinese curse - may you live in interesting times - has never seemed to me more appropriate. Lots of violence and war, and lots of natural disasters. I don't know if it's because we're more connected via all those small, hand-held computer thingies that there seems to be more of this "interesting" stuff going on these days, or if the number and size of the revolts that are happening, both natural and man-made, are really increasing. But it sure gets me to thinking about that ridiculous 2012 Mayan end-of-the-world conspiracy theory. (I think it's bunk, and the sort of stuff that's believed by ignorant, paranoid people.) Nevertheless, I can't help going to that place in my mind, simply because of what seems to be the greater frequency and degree of disasters. But enough of that. It's the first day of spring and and I'm making this my verbal equinox by musing here.
Yesterday, at 7:21 pm, the vernal equinox arrived in my part of the world and I toasted my favourite season along with a bunch of interesting, experienced, and beautiful crones; wise-women all. It was a splendid way to herald the arrival of spring. Now I'm spending the day creating a personal template for the whole season. It feels good. I haven't solved any problems or changed anything, but I've expressed myself. And that's what this little web of mine is for.
So, dear reader and faithful follower (that still sounds weird to me, but I like it!) I shall sign off now because I didn't have anything to say when I began, and have even less to say now. I wish you - and especially all those good and innocent people who suffer for whatever reason on this awesome, unfathomable, and unconquerable earth of ours - a gentle, light and gracious spring, full of hope, healing and promise.
Blessed be.
- G.P.