The Daily: 18 March 2026

Central Vermont has entered the light half of the year. Yesterday was the true equinox in my part of the world. That is, it was the first day of more than twelve hours of daylight. Friday brings the vernal equinox, the Opening season, at 10:46am. The Hunger Moon goes dark today at 9:23pm, meaning tomorrow… Continue reading The Daily: 18 March 2026

The Daily: 17 March 2026

Today is... the equinox? Vernal Equinox Quiz True or False: The vernal equinox is when spring begins. Not exactly. The beginning of spring depends on where you live, and it is more a cultural phenomenon than a meteorological one. Tradition in Ireland has spring beginning with St Brigid’s Day on 1 February. Spring weather may… Continue reading The Daily: 17 March 2026

The Daily: 11 March 2026

Penny Loaf Day March 11th is Penny Loaf Day, though it is also traditional to set the observance to the Sunday closest to 11 March. This is an obscure holiday that I’d like to revive. Because first of all, it involves bread (so, duh, of course!), and second it celebrates generosity that has endured for… Continue reading The Daily: 11 March 2026

The Daily: 8 March 2026

In acknowledgment of the spring sun's rising earlier and earlier — 6:16am in my town yesterday — those who follow Daylight Savings Time have had an hour removed from their morning today at 2am. This morning's sunrise is 7:14am, meaning we've lost an hour of morning light so that we can have more day in… Continue reading The Daily: 8 March 2026

The Daily: 5 March 2026

There are two observances today that are dear to me. I am sure that there are more, even within my culture. And of course, it's autumn down south. Which adds even more ways to celebrate the time. The Navigation of Isis In Apuleius’, The Golden Ass, we find a description of another marker of spring. The Navigium… Continue reading The Daily: 5 March 2026

The Daily: 1 March 2026

Lion and Lamb March is upon us once again. An Old English name for March was Hlyda, meaning “loud”, presumably referring to the roaring March winds. This name survived as Lide in the West countries.  Eat leeks in Lide and ramsons in May, And all the year after physicians may play. — proverb from western… Continue reading The Daily: 1 March 2026

The Daily: 24 February 2026

If Matthew finds ice, he breaks it. When the cat lies in sunshine in February If he doesn’t break it, he makes it all the harder. she'll creep behind the stove in March. St Matthias with his ice breaker... If there is sharp frost on Matthew’s Day, it will last till March. The fox is… Continue reading The Daily: 24 February 2026

The Daily: 23 February 2026

A Parable of the 1%* Imagine a flock of pigeons in a corn field. Imagine that ninety-nine of them, instead of pecking the corn they need and using it as they need it, start to collect all they can into one big heap. Imagine that they do not leave much corn for themselves, but save… Continue reading The Daily: 23 February 2026

The Daily: 18 February 2026

Snow Moon The Wolf Moon went dark yesterday at 7:01am. Both Mardi Gras and Chinese New Year, with all their riotous color and spark, took place last night. Today, the Snow Moon, the fourth moon in my lunar year, is new. In my calendar, this is the season of Early Spring, the long wait of… Continue reading The Daily: 18 February 2026

The Daily: 17 February 2026

The Wolf Moon goes dark today at 7:01am, so the crescent Snow Moon — or, this year, the Hunger Moon, since it is so late — might be visible tonight at sunset, though it would be faint and you'd need a very flat western horizon to see it. In traditional lunisolar calendars, the Moon is… Continue reading The Daily: 17 February 2026