Spring Equinox Word on the Week 20th March 2021.
It’s that time of year that only happens twice when night and day are approximately the same length. This is the March equinox. From now on the days get longer and the nights get shorter – and don’t the birds know it!
The bird song moved up a few decibels this week, helped by the warmer weather and absence of wind. The notes from some birds such as the Goldcrest belie their tiny size. The shrill high ‘zee-zee-zee’ is guaranteed to persecute the wearer of hearing aids!
Chaffinch, Robins, Blackbirds and Coal Tits, to name but a few, are in full voice while the Blue Tits are busy house hunting! They visit the nest boxes which have been idle since last Spring. They are not easy pleased as both male and female need to agree with the location!
The magpies that successfully bred at the top of the Scotch Pine last year are also prospecting! In folklore they are an unwelcome bird creating dissidence amongst the other garden birds. Their fondness of eating their eggs is one of their less endearing qualities. One for sorrow, Two for mirth, Three for a funeral, Four for a birth is one of a number of Magpie poems!
On the ground natures palate is rich in colour. At first sight there seems to be a preponderance of yellow. The primroses and daffodils stealing the show. However, if you mix in the purple heaths with the blue hyacinths and the crocuses coming through the ground ivy there is a feast for the eyes.
Perhaps it’s the hellebores that in white or purple dress create the wow factor. They modestly hang their heads concealing their beauty till its discovered by the gardener. Betty’s preference is for the stinking hellebore – a misnamed plant for sure! It is evergreen, its dark green leaves, sprouting from a thick stem. The flowers are green also but a lighter, yellowish shade; drooping cup-like shape. Lovely, but there is better.
“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord …” (Psalm 27 verse 4).
Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of
all nature
O thou of God and man the Son
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honour
Thou, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown.
Beautiful Saviour! Lord of
all the nations
Son of God and Son of Man
Glory and honour, praise, adoration
Now and forevermore be thine.