The traditional date in Australia for Imbolc is the 1st of August and Spring Equinox/Ostara is the 23rd of September.
We are coming to the time of the year for new beginnings and a time of balance and I find myself meditating on what I will bring into my life in the coming months and look forward to the inspiration that the rebirth of the land may send me. As the days lengthen and the light strengthens, I feel excitement at the coming months ahead and the potential this time of the year brings.
Australia is such a huge continent that the seasons can be quite different depending on where you live so I’m going to talk about Spring in my beautiful neck of the woods – The Adelaide Hills, South Australia.
The Quickening
Winters in Australia are generally milder and snow falls only in the Alpine regions and Tasmania but like everyone we all look forward to the longer days and warmer temperatures and spring lifts everyone’s spirit no matter where you live.
July and August are our chilliest months in the Adelaide hills but the Mother has already started to awaken, snowflakes (our version of snow drops) have appeared almost overnight and by the beginning of August the wattle has begun to bloom, a vivid, golden yellow as bright as the sun and fiery like the goddess Brigid to remind us that the warmer days are coming. The 1st of September was always called ‘Wattle Day’, a national celebration to celebrate the arrival of spring. The first nation indigenous people of Australia used wattle for many things, food, medicine, tools and weapons. I wrote the song The Quickening to honour the Celtic Goddess Brigid.
‘Keeper of the sacred flame from within the darkness came
New spring maid from winter’s crone, the brightest Queen of morning song’
Carols by Moonlight
One of the many things that signal spring is the sound of the Magpies singing and carolling around the time of the first full moon in August. A musical warbling that signifies the breeding season has begun, nests are being constructed and a warning to other magpies to keep to their own patch!
The Australian magpie is the lawmaker of the garden, protecting their territory and keeping a watchful eye on intruders and their melodious song is a much loved sound of the Australian bushland. On a spiritual level the magpie represents protection and swiftness and reminds us we all have a voice that should be heard.
Rabbits, Bilby’s and Upside Down Calendars
The bilby is an endangered Australian marsupial that has been run out of its habitat by humans and rabbits.
Our Calendar holidays are based on the European customs so the Easter holiday is still held in March/April and it’s something I still find I can’t get used to. The shops are filled with chocolate rabbits and eggs. Not only is it our autumn but the rabbit is an introduced species and has had a devastating effect on our ecology. More proof that humans don’t listen to the land they live on! In recent years the marsupial Bilby has become popular and now appears as a chocolate Easter Bilby rather than a bunny. I have yet to find one in September though!
Spring Woodlands
A walk in spring through the eucalypt woodlands in the Adelaide Hills will reveal hidden treasures that are tiny and rare native orchids. These exquisite little orchids are fun to spot as they are hidden amongst the bush land grasses. I walk along the Heysen Trail not far from my cottage for my orchid spotting adventures. You have to be careful when hunting for them as they are so tiny you could be standing on one. I love the names of these little spring gems. There is the alien looking Greenhood, the Spotted Blue Sun orchid, the Fringed Hare orchid, the Purple Cockatoo orchid, the Pink Sun orchid, the Wallflower Donkey orchid, Bearded orchids, the Bayonet Spider orchid, the Blue Fairy orchid and the list goes on. Delicate little flowers that herald the turning of the wheel and the magic of rebirth.
Into the Green
The wind in the willows
Oh the winter nights have been so cold and long
Blows through the willows
And haunts us with her icy song
I hide in my pillows
Keep my nose from the cold night air
But out by the willows
I know the sign of spring is almost there
Chorus:
Where are you? Where are you?
Where have you gone Jack in the Green?
I’ll find you I’ll find you
I’ll seek you out where the winter’s been
Look for you look for you
Hiding out in the summer land
Where are you? Where are you?
Where are you Jack my green man?
Beneath the willows
I watch the clouds in the summer sky
Beneath the willows
I dream to where the green man lies
There I will follow
Along the path of his leafy feet
I am the willow
And I’m dancing in fields of meadowsweet
Chorus
My arms surround him
Oh I hold the green man close to me
His leaves are falling I know
He’ll soon be gone from me
Under the willow
The autumn breeze caresses me
Under my pillow
I’ve found the seed he’s left for me
Chorus
As the land warms and life stirs we see the movement of our wildlife. Kangaroos and koalas are on the move, Snakes become active and if it’s been a dry winter then burn-offs begin, to get ready for the coming summer months and prepare for the bushfire season. Wildflowers appear throughout the hills bushland and the Pobblebonk frogs fill the evenings with their sound of plonking banjos strings. This time of balance is a gentle time here in the Adelaide hills reminding us that the scorching heat of summer isn’t that far away.
Windharp Grove Celebrations
My Druid grove gathers in Kersbrook on Kaurna land in our circle surrounded by Wattle trees, She-oaks, Flowering Gums, Oaks, Ash and Thorn. If we are lucky the kangaroos will appear in the bushland in the field next to where we meet. We will celebrate The Spring Equimox, Alban Eilir – light of the earth and everything that is wonderful about being alive.
Blessings of the Spring to you from Australia!
Check Pagan Song’s Sabbats page for links to articles about Spring Equinox and the other 7 Sabbats.
For more information about Adrienne Piggot, including her collected articles here on Pagan Song, her bio, and links to her band Spiral Dance’s sites on the web, check out Adrienne’s author page here on Pagan Song.
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Thank you for the lovely jaunt through the Adelaide springtime!