VERNAL JOURNEY / THE WORM MOON,

WINTERSPRING - Even though winter is still upon us, occasionally

pummeling the southeast Catskills with icy nor’easters, or fierce

arctic winds blowing lake-effect snow past our mountain shield,

there are unquestionable signs of Spring. The Sun is our biggest

clue. There are more hours of daylight and increasingly so by the

day. Not only that, but the angle of the sun’s rays is higher now,

allowing their effects to be more fulsome. This increase in sunlight is

the trigger for many plants and animals to start the spring seasonal

cycle. Having said that, I must point out the hard fact that these

effects are very, very gradual, making this season possibly the most

frustrating of all. That’s why I divide “Spring” into Winterspring (early

spring) and Summerspring (late spring). Summerspring is what

everyone loves, when nature comes alive with greenness. March

seems to take forever, getting us to that point.

THE WORM MOON / DAYS LENGTHEN - As the winter progresses and our days do gradually get longer, the sometimes wan winter light is trying fitfully to penetrate and warm us down here in Waghkonk. It has been a "roller-coaste"; of a season, as we've gone back and forth from mild to cold (mostly cold) numerous times. As March begins that higher sun-angle will have more of an effect on recent snows, allowing the inexorable growth of grasses and Wild Chives and more buds will start on shrub and tree. Grubs and worms start appearing soon, hence the archaic name for March, the Worm Moon (although the Indigenous “moon” is different, marking the 28 days between full moons - very different from our Gregorian calendar). Migrating birds and butterflies will have started on their ancient journeys to meet up with flowers, plants and shrubs far, far to the north (here) that are only now slowly waking dormant branches, roots and seeds to burst forth in welcome - invariably, just as the migrators arrive. They will be rejoining our year- round small-birds (Bluebirds, Cardinals,Chickadees, Sparrows and the like), Pileated and other woodpeckers, Ruffed Grouse, the “clean-up crew” of Crows, Ravens and Black- and- Turkey Vultures that thrives on roadkill Grey- and Red-squirrels. Eagles are nesting now. Hawks and Owls will be nesting soon, as well, and still keeping a sharp eye on all the Mice, Moles and Voles. Add to all that the busy-ness of Coyotes and Foxes watching Wild Turkeys, the White-tail Deer does with little future Bambis inside them and the Black Bear cubs soon to leave their den for the first time - March is a very busy month!

VERNAL EQUINOX - March 20 @ 5:01 EST - Historically, peoples all over the world watched for and celebrated all of the major lunar and solar events, most prominent, of course, being the equinoxes and solstices. For every reason imaginable, for agricultural and burial practices, for naming and other important social events, they needed to consult their “calendar”, which more times than not was an astronomical one. One of the four major alignments at Stonehenge was for the Vernal Equinox. An important North American site where the spring equinox played a major role to the Anasazi of New Mexico is at Chaco Canyon. As the sun rises on that day it shines directly through one of the cardinal windows of Casa Rinconada, the largest kiva there. Part of the great Serpent Mound, in Ohio, aligns with this important day. Even closer to home, there are alignments of cairns in our northeast woods that are set due east to west (equinoxes are the only two times yearly that the sun rises due east and sets due west).

READY FOR THE NEW - Like many of you, I’m tired of living in a house where there’s snow and ice outside, with the winter winds howling and heater cranking. I’m (more than) ready to live

in a house where it is Spring out there, with Trout-Lilies, Jack-in-the-Pulpits, Trillium and all the other Spring Ephemeral wildflowers coming up, Woodfrogs frolicking in their icy pools and where snow is just a white memory, tucked away in photos and occasionally to be found under north-facing ledges in May. I’ve had enough “wintry deep inner reflecting” and am ready to get out into the woods more sans ice-grippers or snowshoes. The forests and fields will soon (never soon enough) burgeon with life, green shoots unfolding to the joyous cacophony of increasingly multitudinous bird-song of Warbler, Wood-thrush and many others, as well as the piercing “peent” of the male Woodcock as he pirouettes high to attract a lady-friend. Ok, I’m getting a little ahead of myself here. Yep - ready for spring!

RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL MEANINGS OF THE VERNAL EQUINOX - The Vernal Equinox signifies new beginnings and nature’s renewal. It is a time of balance in the natural world around us, which can help us to find balance within ourselves. Many sacred sites reflect the importance of this time. Most notable might be the Return of the Sun Serpent when one corner of El Castillo, the main pyramid at Chichen Itza, appears to come alive on the equinox, as a Serpent writhing down one corner, from Sky to Earth (Google “chichen itza serpent shadow”). In spring- time that is not only symbolic, but very real. This time held great spiritual importance to Celtic peoples, serving as a bridge between this world and the Otherworld. They not only knew that it signified that planting time was not far away, but celebrated it as a time of personal spiritual renewal as well - time to plant the seeds of a new self. Even the age-old urge to clean the home after a long winter is similarly reflected in the urge for us all to “clean” our inner home. Not only is it a major turning point in the year for Indigenous, Traditional peoples, but it signifies the approach of some of the holiest times of different cultures and religions. Passover begins with the Pink - or Pesach - Moon of April. Easter, the modern Christian Spring holiday of resurrection (inspired by the ancient Celtic holy day of Eostre, which celebrated the Return of Life), occurs on the first Sunday of what’s called the Paschal Moon. It is a special time - no matter how we celebrate it.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A FITFUL MARCH TO SPRING - Please remember, all, March is very fickle. Yes, there will be hints of the season ahead, but this month is a tricky one - “two steps forward, one step back” -- very changeable and anything is possible -- Winterspring, indeed. While I love to know Spring is near, I have to remember that Winter is still here. For the same reason that this is the beginning of the prime maple-sugaring season -- milder days, cold nights -- drawing the sap back and forth from tree to ground, the constant thaw/freeze cycle makes for treacherous walking as the ground will thaw and refreeze constantly. So keep TRACTION-DEVICES handy (I recommend Yaktrax for general purposes and Hillsounds or Kahtoolas for serious trails) and mud-boots near (sometimes you will need both). Trekking Poles can help, as well. Always walk down the middle of the trail - please STAY ON THE TRAIL - DO NOT SKIRT IT - possibly destroying soon-to-emerge delicate plants and making the trail-keepers job harder. FLASHLIGHTS/HEADLAMPS - even though the Sun is setting later, it is all too easy to get benighted. HATS, GLOVES, BOOTS - it is still winter. SUNSCREEN could be important, with bright sun reflecting off snow. DRESS IN LAYERS and carry a small pack to put

them in. Just like Fall the temps can rapidly change, up and down, warm and cold. Also, please LEAVE WILDLIFE BE - do not ever let Fido chase any wild creature and don’t try to get too close to any hawks, owls or eagles. Doing so may cause that animal to flee and to use up its last little bit of fat reserve and therefore not survive the cold (and eagles may be on eggs already and deserve total privacy). Absolutely do not let dogs jump up on people. This is bad form on a good day, but outright dangerous when footing is so treacherous. Thank you.

Have a Safe & Warm late winter and very early Spring. Please be considerate and kind. Thank you all. Take Care, “Ranger” Dave Holden / (845)594-4863 / woodstocktrails@gmail.com / Dave

Holden on Facebook / rangerdaveholden@Instagram / www.woodstocknytrails.com