The First Day of Spring, 2009 – Photo Sunday

Spring has almost sprung, and the first day of spring, or the Spring Equinox, falls on Friday March 20th, 2009. It’s also the 40th anniversary of The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

In honor of Spring, we have decided to share what I think we are all looking forward to, a world of natural life, right in our own back yards, and a cool little video of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle. At Twilight Earth, we realize that just like our planet, humankind has seasons of  life too, and it’s our hope that we are coming out of our Twilight Consumer season into an Environmental season of a better Green life.

Please enjoy this week’s Photo Sunday installment.

Twice a year, around March 20 or 21 and September 22 or 23, the sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night are nearly equal in all parts of the world. These two days are known as the March (vernal or spring in the northern hemisphere) equinox and the September equinox. That’s the complicated way of saying, “The days are getting longer, and life is returning from her winter slumber.

“The word “equinox” derives from the Latin words meaning “equal night”

Spring been celebrated by humans since the dawn of time. It is a time of regeneration and new life. It is a time of planting harvests to reap her life in preparation of fall and winter. It is a time when animals of all kinds wake from their slumber to journey out and create new life of their own.

But as a people, we have lost touch with our natural place in the world. We no longer plant even the smallest amounts of food for our families, thereby recognizing the intrinsic relationship we have with our world. Instead, we purchase it it in plastic bags from our grocer, who had it flown in from the four corners of the planet.

We no longer spend time outdoors, learning and exploring all the real things she has to offer. Instead we sit inside our homes and watch televisions and video games which show us made up fantasy programs, convincing us that either the natural world has no value, or our time is better spent elsewhere.

Our children have become accustomed to the smell of a furnace or air-conditioner, man made things, rather than the smell of dirt and moss, leaves and flowers. We (and our children alike) have become obese, short-sighted and short-minded, caring more for our possessions than our fellow humans, and sometimes even, our own families.

(If video does not open, please click in center of the viewing screen)

But we are changing. Spring is in the air, and more and more of us are realizing that there is more to life than the square footage of our homes, cars and offices. There is a world, a planet out there, that can show us what is really important. What is really important is life itself, without all of the pretend trappings that we have convinced ourselves are real.

Spring is here. It is time for a new season. Please allow the new season that is taking place in nature to take place in your own life as well.

Adam Shake

Related posts:

1. Photo Sunday – Sounds of Nature
2. Photo Sunday: Colorado High Country Color
3. Photo Sunday – Arlington National Cemetery