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The season of spring as a harbinger of joy is a metaphor common to most civilizations. In India, too, March is a beautiful month when the wintry sun begins to turn warm and the days get longer, not to mention the flowers blooming in full splendour.
It is in this month that the festival of Holi is celebrated. Historically speaking Holi is probably a pagan festival that finds root in celebrations similar to that of Valentine’s Day.

Both find their source in fertility rituals and symbolize unbridled joy. All over the east, the manner of celebrating this festival has been to smear each other’s face with rice powder, where rice powder is symbolic of fertility. Today, however, the northern part of India has incorporated many other influences turning Holi into a colourful and even sophisticated festival, as it was played by the royalty of Rajasthan.

A legend associated with the God of love, Kama, is told at this time. It is said that he was burnt to ashes because he had the temerity to fling his arrows on none other than the austere Siva who was doing penance. Goddess Parvati, however, brought him back to life for he was acting at her behest. This festival celebrates love.

Another legend says that once a mighty king called Hiranyakashyapu ruled on earth. He was so arrogant that he became a difficult ruler and even the Gods balked at his arrogance. Meanwhile Hiranyakashyapu decided to coronate himself a God Almighty Himself.

He had a son called Prahlad who was hurt to see his father behaving thus. He insisted that his father, however powerful and majestic, could not replace God. But Hiranyakashyapu’s powers were growing by the minute and he was in no mood to believe his son, after all he was a little boy not even ten year of age.

Many mighty dialogues and fierce attempts took place to convince Prahlad that his father was indeed mightier than God Himself. One day Prahlad was made to sit on the lap of Hiranyakashyapu’s sister. The sister had got a boon from fire God that she would never succumb to flames. So the aunt and nephew were made to sit on a seat of glowing fire. The aunt named Holika succumbed inspite of the boon and the nephew came out unhurt. To celebrate this episode through which God conveyed the fact that he protected those who trusted him, Holi is celebrated.

In a place called Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, the festival Holi is celebrated with great gaiety. Here it is said that baby Krishna, while he was still in the cradle, killed a demoness who had come to feed him. Her destruction and the first the first evidence given by the child of his divine powers are celebrated as Holi. Even today it is a festival worth celebrating in these temples.

Generally people of different communities meet and throw colour powder on each other amidst complete abandonment.

On March 21 the Parsis celebrate Jamshed Navroz, their new year. It is also known as Pateti, the Day of Repentance, when they recite a prayer of Repentance. This festivalis said to have begun in Persia under the rule of King Jamshed and so it is called Jamshed Navroz.

Spring is a particular type of season that is experienced in the temperate climatic zones. Spring is an intermediate seasonal phase in between winter and summer. Spring signifies the emergence of new life. Spring months are the blossoming months that bring meaningful growth and rejuvenation in its wake. Spring enriches natural beauty and it seems as if nature is dressed in a beautiful green gown.Springtime

This season arrives during different parts of the year in the North and South of the world. Places, which are situated in the north experience the spring season from March to May while in the southern part of the world, September to November is the springtime. Vernal Equinox indicates the arrival of spring season while the Summer Solstice announces its departure.
 
Important Features of Spring

Extreme weather conditions characterize the spring season. This is due to the fact that during this season the warm winds coming from the lower regions are accompanied by the cold air which originates from the Polar Regions. During the spring season, days are longer and the weather is severe. The seas and rivers are full because the snow begins to melt. Rainfall is also heavy often leading to serious flood situations. Floods are most common in the hilly areas. In addition to all this, tornado, hailstorms and heavy downpour are also common features during the spring season. In fact, end of spring is the time when hurricane arrives almost without any warning.

What’s Your Sign, Baby?
Aries [March 21 to April 19; meaning - ram; brightest star - Alpha Arietis; element - fire; ruling planet - Mars]
Under the tropical zodiac, Aries is associated with the vernal equinox. Aries is the first sign of the Zodiac and associated with fresh vigor and new beginnings. Individuals born under this sign are thought to be confident, aggressive, energetic, active, adventurous, enthusiastic, fair and passionate.Taurus [April 20 to May 21; meaning - bull; brightest star - Aldebaron; element - earth; ruling planet - Venus]
Taurus is the second sign of the Zodiac and is associated with material pleasure. Individuals born under this sign are thought to be calm, patient, reliable, loyal, affectionate, sensuous, ambitious, and determined.

Gemini [May 22 to June 21; meaning - twins; brightest star - Pollux; element - air; ruling planet - Mercury]
Gemini is the third sign of the Zodiac and associated with youth and versatility. Individuals born under this sign are thought to have a sociable, fun-loving, versatile, lively, communicative, liberal, mentally active and friendly character.

This Time, Last Year(s)… March 21 (First Day of Spring) History
1556 Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer is burned at the stake.
1697 Czar Peter the Great begins tour through West Europe.
1804 French civil Code of Napoleon is adopted.
1851 Yosemite Valley is discovered in California.
1859 First Zoological Society incorporates in Philadelphia.
1935 Persia officially changed its name to Iran.
1962 A bear becomes the first creature to be ejected at supersonic speeds.
1963 Alcatraz, maximum security prison on the island in San Francisco Bay, closes after 29 years.
1979 Egyptian Parliament unanimously approve peace treaty with Israel.
1980 On the television show Dallas, J.R. Ewing is shot.
1984 Part of Central Park is named Strawberry Fields honoring John Lennon.
1985 Arthur Ashe is named to International Tennis Hall of Fame.
1990 Namibia becomes independent of South Africa, and Sam Nujoma becomes president.
1994 Wayne Gretzky ties Gordie Howe’s NHL record of 801 goals.

First Day of Spring (March 21) Birthdays
1685 Johann Sebastian Bach, composer
1816 Charlotte Bronte, novelist and poet
1869 Florenz Ziegfield, American impresario
1958 Gary Oldman, actor
1962 Rosie O’Donell, actress, comedian and talk show host
1963 Matthew Broderick, American actor
1978 Kevin Federline, husband to Britney Spears
What’s Your Sign, Baby?
Aries [March 21 to April 19; meaning - ram; brightest star - Alpha Arietis; element - fire; ruling planet - Mars]
Under the tropical zodiac, Aries is associated with the vernal equinox. Aries is the first sign of the Zodiac and associated with fresh vigor and new beginnings. Individuals born under this sign are thought to be confident, aggressive, energetic, active, adventurous, enthusiastic, fair and passionate.

Taurus [April 20 to May 21; meaning - bull; brightest star - Aldebaron; element - earth; ruling planet - Venus]
Taurus is the second sign of the Zodiac and is associated with material pleasure. Individuals born under this sign are thought to be calm, patient, reliable, loyal, affectionate, sensuous, ambitious, and determined.

Gemini [May 22 to June 21; meaning - twins; brightest star - Pollux; element - air; ruling planet - Mercury]
Gemini is the third sign of the Zodiac and associated with youth and versatility. Individuals born under this sign are thought to have a sociable, fun-loving, versatile, lively, communicative, liberal, mentally active and friendly character.

This Time, Last Year(s)… March 21 (First Day of Spring) History
1556 Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer is burned at the stake.
1697 Czar Peter the Great begins tour through West Europe.
1804 French civil Code of Napoleon is adopted.
1851 Yosemite Valley is discovered in California.
1859 First Zoological Society incorporates in Philadelphia.
1935 Persia officially changed its name to Iran.
1962 A bear becomes the first creature to be ejected at supersonic speeds.
1963 Alcatraz, maximum security prison on the island in San Francisco Bay, closes after 29 years.
1979 Egyptian Parliament unanimously approve peace treaty with Israel.
1980 On the television show Dallas, J.R. Ewing is shot.
1984 Part of Central Park is named Strawberry Fields honoring John Lennon.
1985 Arthur Ashe is named to International Tennis Hall of Fame.
1990 Namibia becomes independent of South Africa, and Sam Nujoma becomes president.
1994 Wayne Gretzky ties Gordie Howe’s NHL record of 801 goals.

First Day of Spring (March 21) Birthdays
1685 Johann Sebastian Bach, composer
1816 Charlotte Bronte, novelist and poet
1869 Florenz Ziegfield, American impresario
1958 Gary Oldman, actor
1962 Rosie O’Donell, actress, comedian and talk show host
1963 Matthew Broderick, American actor
1978 Kevin Federline, husband to Britney Spears

And What About Global Warming?
According to the National Wildlife Federation, climate warming can instigate the early migration of animals, confusing the ecosystem and making food supply scarce. As species move, they may have to deal with different prey, predators and competitors as well as habitats that are less than ideal. It could take centuries for some plants to adapt to global warming.Animals Commonly Associated With Spring…
Gray whale, bald eagle, frog, hummingbird, robin, deer, fox, sea otter, bear, whooping crane, loon, manatee

Insects Commonly Associated With Spring…
Honeybee, monarch butterfly, ladybug, earthworm

Plants/flowers Commonly Associated With Spring…
Azaleas, lilacs, tulips, dahlias, lilies, daffodils, hyacinths, primrose, maple

Songs About Spring…

In Led Zeppelin’s “Rain Song,” the first verse pays homage to the season of spring.
Van Morrison’s “Celtic Spring” references spring throughout its chorus.
Legendary jazz vocalist Billie Holiday chants about love in the song “Some Other Spring.”
Frank Sinatra is suddenly young and free in his song “Suddenly It’s Spring.”
Nina Simone has spring fever in “It Might as Well be Spring.”
Tom Waits remembers everything that spring brings in “You Can Never Hold Back Spring.”
Lead vocalist of Swedish band Flunk sings about his kiss in “Spring to Kingdom Come.”
Folk songstress Dar Williams starts over on “Spring Street,” where she’s welcome any time.

Top U.S. Spring Break Getaways…
Beaches
Miami, Key West, South Padre Island, Myrtle Beach, Maui

Mountains/Skiing
Jackson Hole, Aspen, Lake Tahoe, Vail

Spring Break Family Trips
Washington DC, New York, Orlando, San Diego

To Everything Turn, Turn, Turn…
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, the seasons are caused by the Earth being tilted on its axis by an average of 23.5 degrees (Earth’s tilt on its axis actually varies from near 22 degrees to 24.5 degrees).As the Earth revolves around the Sun, the Sun is directly over the equator. The Sun’s energy is in balance between the northern and southern hemispheres. During the spring equinox near March 21st, the Sun is once again directly over the equator.

A common misconception is that the Earth is farther from the sun in winter than in summer. Actually, the Earth is closest to the sun in December, which is winter in the Northern hemisphere.

Spring is the Air!
In the United States and the rest of the northern hemisphere, the first day of the spring season is the day of the year when the Sun crosses the celestial equator moving northward (on March 20th or 21st). This day is known as the vernal equinox.

The vernal equinox marks the beginning of the astrological year when the sun enters the sign of Aries. Also known as Ostara, the pagan goddess of spring and fertility, the vernal equinox signifies new life emerging this time of year.

Spring Forward…
Beginning in 2007, most of the United States begins Daylight Saving Time at 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday in March and reverts to standard time on the first Sunday in November. In the U.S., each time zone switches at a different time.

According to studies conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Daylight Saving Time saves energy. Results show that Daylight Saving Time trims the entire country’s electricity usage by a small but significant amount (about one percent a day) because less electricity is used.

Why Wear a Watch?
One of the best ways to determine spring is by watching and tracking migratory animals, such as fish, bats, birds and butterflies that have an innate biological clock necessary for survival by means of eating, waking/sleeping, blooming, migrating, mating and more.