dance for winter’s end.
Here’s my eulogy for Old Man Winter for Beltain morning, 2026:
Already the Spring is blooming and (with luck) the last frost is behind us. It is time to wrap up the remains of the Winter and dispose of them once again.
I would say that this winter had broad shoulders. He had an elegance and grace, with perfect crystalline long-lasting snows.
No denying that he was arrogant, and even cruel – with enough long spells of deep cold to challenge anyone who had to spend a lot of time outside. And yet I imagine him in velvet and lace, deep darks and icy filigree. When it was time to depart, he did so on time and without fuss, but left a late calling card or two that I hope will not have nipped the fragile early blooms of fruit trees.
I live in town now, so have not much sense of mud or maple – please good people, fill in your own observations here.
What I do know, and what is never out of season, is that this is a good time to see and welcome all who gather with us to celebrate the end of Winter. Then, let us give a thought to those who may not be here in person, but are here in our hearts. And finally, let’s never forget to hold and honor those dear ones who, like the Winter, have passed on.
But after this moment of reflection, Spring calls us to jump up, cast out the cobwebs, gather up the dusty bones of a dark and cold season, and consign them to the water (or the fire). It’s time to give a cheer and make way for the oncoming rush of new life.
Hooray!
eyespider 