Awakening

Posted on February 20, 2019 by Sue Vincent

Having just driven hundreds of  miles of the length and breadth of England, I can confirm that, in spite of any wintry surprises that the weather might yet have in store, as far as the earth is concerned, spring has definitely sprung. I know those roads so well now, that I can asses the progress of the seasons by the flowers that bloom in individual gardens and hedgerows. Amongst the first harbingers of spring  are a drift of snowdrops near Ashbourne in Derbyshire. They are planted on a south-facing slope in the shelter of a wall and, every year, seem to be amongst the very first to bloom. Quite often, their green and white freshness is lost against the last of the snow, while, half a mile away in a north facing copse, another carpet of snowdrops still waits for the first touch of the sun.

By the time these woodland snowdrops are in bloom, there are already great swathes of white across the country, brightening the shadows. The purples and sulphurous yellow of the crocuses come next, and the blue stars of glory-of-the-snow. By the time the daffodils are opening in my village, there are pansies brightening the borders and the earliest blossom is starring dark, leafless branches.

A tree-covered hillside that epitomises the clichéd ‘sea of green’ in summer and which wears deepest mourning through the winter months… now blushes rosily as buds form on bare branches. Leaves unfurl on rose and clematis, fields are beginning to glow with the brilliant yellow of rapeseed and daisies are scattered everywhere.

Fields that have borne the greyish tinge of winter are suddenly fresh and lush, with the unmistakable green of spring. Birds are nesting, and, here and there, the first tiny lambs explore a brand new world.

Home again, I look out at the mud patch of a garden, decimated by drought, snow and a digging dog, still waiting for me to find the strength, time and energy to dig the flower-beds that I miss. Its single flower-bed is bare for the moment. My roses are yet to waken. But, for once, I don’t mind. Beyond it are the fields and trees… and spring is happening. Why worry about a few feet of garden when there is a whole world of life and beauty out there to savour?

About Sue Vincent

Sue Vincent was a Yorkshire born writer, esoteric teacher and a Director of The Silent Eye. She was immersed in the Mysteries all her life. Sue maintained a popular blog and is co-author of The Mystical Hexagram with Dr G.M.Vasey. Sue lived in Buckinghamshire, having been stranded there due to an accident with a blindfold, a pin and a map. She had a lasting love-affair with the landscape of Albion, the hidden country of the heart. Sue  passed into spirit at the end of March 2021.
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54 Responses to Awakening

  1. Sharon Bonin-Pratt says:
    February 20, 2019 at 06:47

    Such wonderful photos, and the lamb is a charmer. I’ve just read A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson, a story that often mentions snow drops. Now I know what they look like – really pretty.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  2. Audrey Driscoll says:
    February 20, 2019 at 06:49

    My garden has been beaten up by a recent record snowfall (for February), so I like your idea of looking beyond that small, sad patch and finding the inevitable beginnings of spring.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  3. Sadje says:
    February 20, 2019 at 06:59

    Thanks for sharing such beautiful pictures.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. scifihammy says:
    February 20, 2019 at 08:44

    So beautiful! 🙂
    There is nothing to compare to the arrival of Spring in the northern hemisphere. 😀

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  5. Mick Canning says:
    February 20, 2019 at 08:45

    It’s definitely stirring!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  7. jenanita01 says:
    February 20, 2019 at 09:05

    I don’t know why, but this year Spring seems early and very special…

    Like

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  8. Smriti Sneha blog says:
    February 20, 2019 at 10:16

    wow such wonderful pretty flowers

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. joylennick says:
    February 20, 2019 at 10:17

    Such a delightful post, Sue. Beautifully poetic and alive. Thank you for the lovely photos too.. Aaahh! xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. ksbeth says:
    February 20, 2019 at 10:30

    so glad to see these signs, thanks for such a lovely post, sue –

    Like

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  11. pensitivity101 says:
    February 20, 2019 at 11:13

    No lambs to see yet, but the Canada geese are pairing up.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  12. Alethea Kehas says:
    February 20, 2019 at 14:20

    It’s still cold and snowy here, looking forward to some springtime!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. Judy E Martin says:
    February 20, 2019 at 17:20

    Oh, I do love the spring and those photos are glorious, Sue.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  14. Gwen Plano says:
    February 20, 2019 at 17:58

    Beautiful post and the photos are gorgeous!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. Widdershins says:
    February 20, 2019 at 22:35

    Ours are still buried under many centimeters of snow, but I know there out there, somewhere, waiting. 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  16. Eliza Waters says:
    February 21, 2019 at 01:21

    The yearning for spring increases the longer we have to wait – glad that it has begun for you. We’re still waiting, alas!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  17. Jennie says:
    February 21, 2019 at 02:52

    Beautiful photos. Adorable lamb. Welcome spring!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  18. Darlene says:
    February 23, 2019 at 22:15

    I love spring flowers. Always a positive sign.

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