March is a month to connect with the world around us: “Green is the primary color of the world”
#UpliftingMessage
With March the year begins to pick up momentum: we gain 33% more daylight than January and 20% more than February. March 20th is the spring equinox when the sun moves north across the celestial equator and signals the official beginning of spring. The spring equinox is also called the “vernal” equinox which means “new” and “fresh.”
Given this celestial constant, the United Nations has instituted three successive days after spring starts to remind us of our shared connections on earth.
- March 21st is World Forestry Day: Learn about the importance of forests in balancing the earth’s life cycles. This year’s theme is, “Forest Restoration: A Path to Recovery and Well-being.”
- March 22nd is World Water Day: The 2022 theme is, “Groundwater: Making the Invisible Visible” and its importance in water and sanitation systems, agriculture, industry, ecosystems, and climate change adaptation.
- March 23rd is World Meteorological Day: Learn about how weather impacts our lives. The 2022 theme is “Early Warning and Early Action: Hydrometeorological and Climate Information for Disaster Risk Reduction.”
Increasing sunshine, restoring forests, protecting groundwater, and preparing for and reducing climate risks are all ingredients for welcoming spring’s opportunities. As 17th century Spanish dramatist and poet Pedro Calderón de la Barca wrote, “Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.” Perhaps Calderón took inspiration from 12th century German abbess, scientist, mystic, and musician Hildegard of Bingen who wrote, “The soul is the greening life force of the flesh…just as the earth becomes fruitful when it is moistened.”
Wintry darkness and dormancy gives way to vernal light and verdancy. Winter’s windows tightly shut to chilly blasts are opened wide to welcome warming breezes.
How are you inviting new brightness and fresh greenness into your home and community? How can you prepare yourself to flourish this month?
Rev Sybrant has a Masters in Divinity, Social Work, and a Doctor of Ministry. For more information, visit us at 15050 SW Weir Road. www.murrayhills.org | 503-524-5230
