Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Looking forward to Spring Anyone? by Tena Stetler

 

Well, officially the first day of Spring (vernal equinox) arrived on March 20, 2022. Surprisingly enough, I could actually see green spouts from my crocus, daffodils, snowdrops, tulips, and hyacinths. Usually these sprouts are poking out of the snow on the first day of Spring. Mother Nature allowed us a couple of spring like days before she’ll hit us with more wet snow. Not that I’m complaining, Colorado needs the moisture so badly, I’m fine with the snow. It just felt good to see starting of spring flowers along with the warm sun on my face!

How about a few fun facts about the Spring equinox?

1.      An equinox is a moment in time and space when the sun is positioned directly above the Earth’s equator, which happens just twice a year on the vernal and autumnal equinoxes.

2.     In Mexico, in the ruins of the Mayan city Chichén Itzá, crowds gather at the ancient El Castillo pyramid every spring and fall equinox to witness an equinox celebration that dates around 1,000 A.D. The pyramid is dedicated to the feathered serpent god, Quetzalcoatl. Now this is the part that makes your skin crawl. At sunset on the equinoxes, the angle of the sun creates shadows that look like a giant snake. The light-and-shadow snake appears to slither down the pyramid steps until it merges with the huge sculpted serpent’s head at the bottom.

3.     Spring is a time of renewal and new growth. March showers (in Colorado it’s snow showers) bring April-May flowers and earthworms! The worms spend the winter buried deep below the frost line, but the annual spring showers reduce the oxygen in the dirt so they make their way to the surface. That’s why the first full moon in March is known as the Worm Moon?

4.     Then there is the age old magic egg spring equinox tradition. A day of magic. Folklore claims that special magnetic or energetic changes on the Spring equinox make is possible to stand a raw egg on its end. It’s a myth! When in reality, you can balance some raw eggs on their end anytime of the year. I’ve never been able to, but….

5.     Is there a gateway to hell during the Spring Equinox? Yep. According to Weird U.S.: Your Travel Guide to America’s Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets.  In the tiny town of Stull, Kansas at  a cemetery on Emanuel Hill, legend claims this is one of the places the devil himself can enter the human world only twice a year. Of course the other is Halloween. This is a new one on me.

6.     Did you know that Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox?

7.     What does the Spring Equinox mean for Zodiac Signs? Check it out! 

Looking for An Angel's Wylder Assignment? Got one right here for you.



An impromptu assignment for a Scottish Warrior Angel and a Native American shapeshifter from present day, must time travel to 1878 in an effort to unravel a dangerous mystery and creature their future. 

Angel Killian Dugan’s annual trip to the family castle in Scotland is shattered by the arrival of Legion Commander North. Killian’s skills are needed for an urgent time travel assignment. A rogue demon has escaped back in time. He must discover the why and where then stop the demon before it can damage the past and change the future.

Killian’s girlfriend Chinoah Grace, a Native American shapeshifter is included in the mission, which takes them to the wild west town of Wylder, Wyoming in 1878. She will have her hands full fitting in and making friends. Nothing is as it seems. They encounter visions, spirit quests, and a mysterious shaman. On top of it all, blending in as a blacksmith is more physically difficult than he imagined. But not as challenging as keeping his hands off his undercover wife. Will they complete their assignment or run out of time?

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7 comments:

Nancy Gideon said...

I, too, love that first thaw. Robins everywhere. Dull grass slowly greening after that first hard rain (for the rest of this week!) and cats out on the patio on their leashes.

And my author brain is churning over the idea of the Devil having access to the human world twice a year . . .

Jessica E. Subject said...

Last week was such a beautiful week here, to welcome spring. Though we're supposed to get snow and freezing rain this week.

Love these facts, and they are definitely inspiration for some stories!

Maureen said...

I'm ready to be able to sit on the porch soon. Was unaware of the gateway to hell opening- might be good for a future story! Thanks for sharing!

Tena Stetler said...

Thank you Jessica and Nancy for stopping by and peeking on my thoughts of Spring! Have a great week!

Tena Stetler said...

Hey Maureen, thanks for stopping by! I'm ready for sitting outside too and listening to the bird song! Didn't know about the specific gateway, but one may have already found its way into one of my earlier books and maybe another. LOL Have a great week!

Diane Burton said...

Did you know there is a town named Hell in Michigan? Wonder about the gateway there? LOL I am so ready for spring. Been cooped up too long. We had a brief--very brief--respite when it got to 70. Yep, 70 degrees in March. Love bird songs, but the ducks and geese fighting at 6am in the pond behind our house is quite annoying. Best wishes on your newest release. Sounds like another winner.

Tena Stetler said...

Thank you Diane for stopping by. Yep, I'm ready for spring! Ducks and geese fighting in your backyard pond would be annoying! LOL