We're at the height of summer now, where the first flush of spring beauty has become a distant memory. In the long, hot days of summer, the heat-loving flowers will thrive, while fruits and vegetables will ripen on the vine. We lost a lot of our fruit this year due to a killing frost in mid spring, but we still have plenty of figs from the mama fig tree to savor and we also have plenty of tasty garden vegetables to keep us healthy and happy! And, as always, we're grateful to the gardens and the garden helpers for all the fruits and vegetables that will keep us humming, even in the summer heat! ​

​We're heading into that lovely month of March when the grips of winter are finally letting go and the first breath of spring is awakening our senses. In the garden that means the first bulbs are up and blooming!  Bright little cups of Crocus in an array of lollipop colors are scattered about, singing their songs of new life and joy! Sweet smelling hyacinths in hues of of purple and pink are also blooming, a nose to them brings such a heady perfume it can make your head spin! And then, there are the first cheerful daffodils, nodding their golden faces to the Sun, welcoming it's beautiful light back into the garden.
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The Vernal Equinox is only a breath away on the 19th of March, and that marks a pause of equal light for the Earth. In the Northern hemisphere, she is slowly tilting her head towards the Sun again. We welcome the glorious light as our growing season begins. In the Southern hemisphere, the energies are moving towards the high point of harvest, celebrating another season of growth. March for them means the pause before Earth tilts her head away from the Sun and the light begins to soften. Soon it will be their rest time.

​Wherever you find yourself on this spinning globe, may the month of March create a beautiful passage for you as you travel from one season to the next. Take time to pause during this special cosmic event and bless the dance of  Earth and Sun as they create the beautiful seasons of our lives. And though it's true these seasons also bring challenges to our world, it's important to remember that underneath all the challenges, there is light. And light is always a good thing..

This is one of Nature's very special holidays as we reach the halfway point between one season to the next. In the northern hemisphere, we are moving from winter into spring. The light is returning. The energies begin to move outward as the days become longer, the sun becomes stronger and the sleeping plants,insects and some of the animals begin to stir. We light our candles (hence the name Candlemas, also known as Imbolic), to celebrate the return of the light.

In the southern hemisphere, the opposite is true. The energies begin to move inward as we move from summer to fall. The light is retreating as the daylight shortens and the sun's rays grow softer in the sky. The plants, insects and animals are at the peak of their cycle, but soon they'll prepare for a season of rest.

In the year of 2020, this cycle is especially potent as we are moving through a Time/Space Portal known as the Aquarius Gate. Remember the song in the 60's by "The Fifth Dimension" called, "Aquarius; Let The Sunshine In"? Well folks, that's the Age we're moving into, the Age of Aquarius! We're leaving the Piscean Era behind, the era where we looked to others to find our truth. We looked to those in authority (the teachers, ministers, doctors, politicians and gurus to name a few), who would tell us how to think and act. That has been the Piscean dynamic which has been in play on this planet for a very long time and served our lessons well. All of that is changing. The Aquarian Era will be one of autonomy, an era where we look to ourselves to find our own special brand of truth. In this way, we become our own teachers, ministers and gurus, and though we may still find guidance through them, we ultimately listen to the voice within to know what is true for us.

The Aquarius Gate opened at New Moon on January 24th, and the energies become fully activated on this cross-quarter day of Candlemas, February 2. The gate empowers us to move forward into 2020 with confidence in our own knowing and follow our truth, no matter how it looks to the outside world. In the midst of the chaos, the light is indeed returning, and it's a good time to open our hearts, be kind to one another and light the candles to celebrate!

This has been quite the winter of moisture in the west and now we're celebrating all the rain and snow we've received. Spring has sprung! In Southern Calif, the Earth is smiling with a superbloom of Poppies and they are glorious!! The energy signature of the poppy is rebirth and renewal and they are heralding a new season of hope for all of us. Our beautiful Earth has been nourished and she is shining with fields of flowers and butterflies! We are in the midst of a huge transformation on this Planet as we heal and grow in unity and may this new year open our hearts even more as we are reborn in the spring. The bright orange poppies are showing us the way...

It's been cold in the garden lately. February was a mix of rain and snow with lots of chilly days and nights you had to put on plenty of layers to brave the cold!  But today is different. There's a warm breeze and the sun is shining brightly! And the crocus, whose blooms have remained tightly closed against the cold,have opened in all their golden glory! Could it be - is the spring really coming? We shall see but for now we'll enjoy the first garden blooms and dream...