Invoking Spring Rituals

Tweet

You feel my pain - I've seen the weather forecasts across the entire U.S. the last 24 hours so I know you do.  It's spring and yet....  For us, we are looking at I'm estimating 5 inches of snow and it's still coming down - lightly, but still snowing.  And blowing, so that's nice a touch, too.  Spring, yeah.

So this morning when I was doing my Facebook trolling (oh, c'mon, you do it, too), I came across a link to an interesting blog article "Ten Snow Day Rituals" which I followed, thinking it might be activities for a snow day that I could share with my daughter for the grandkiddos (who aren't here as planned -- another story, thank you NOT, flu).  I discovered, however, that the "rituals" are actually researched list of practices to "bring on" a snow day.

Reviewing the list, and looking at the blanket of white stuff outside on this March 25th, I found myself wondering what practices might "bring on" our much needed spring -- now I'm aware of the common or maybe uncommon spring rituals across the world - druids awaiting the spring equinox at Stonehenge, the Hindu festival of colors - "Holi," the role of fire in celebrations in Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Spain, and children tossing bird-shaped buns into the air in the Ukraine.  But this particular list of snow rituals has me wondering if maybe we might tweak our spring rituals to bring Mother Nature out of hiding this year.

Snow Ritual #1: Wear Your Pajamas Inside Out  (and backwards!) - This snow ritual advises that if the family wears their PJs inside out and backwards this will confuse the snow gods in some strange way and prompt them to send a blanket of snow for participants.*

Spring Ritual #1:  Wear Your Bathing Suit to Bed - This spring ritual a). lets the spring gods know that you've unleashed your spring and summer clothing and b). frightens the snow gods (I mean, a family pic of everyone in their bathing suits in March would probably frighten me...).

Snow Ritual #2: Leave a Spoon Under the Pillow -  This snow ritual dates back to the days of the Pilgrims and is still a  longstanding superstition.*

Spring Ritual #2: Leave a Trowel Under the Pillow - This spring ritual has no known history; however, to prevent injury, remember to place trowel points down.

Snow Ritual #3: Flushing Ice Cubes Down the Toilet - This snow ritual is meant to signify a ‘cold front’ to the snow gods. Apparently they’ll get the message through the sewer system.*

Spring Ritual #3: Flushing Hot Water Down the Toilet - This spring ritual, obviously to let the spring gods know a warm front is on the way, is best enjoyed by your favorite warm-weather drink - after leaving the bathroom.

Snow Ritual #4: Running Around the Table Five Times - There is debate as to whether or not this is to be done clockwise or counterclockwise, and I consistently found five times is the magic number.* 

Spring Ritual #5: Walking Around a Lawn Chair Five Times - First, note, there will be no running involved, ever.  Use of a lawn chair is usually sufficient, but for best results, set up the patio umbrella table.  Counterclockwise if you are in an area following DST.

Snow Ritual #5: Repeating a Snow Chant -   There is limited information on what this magical snow chant may be, but it’s likely a variation of the classic ‘Let It Snow!’ song of the season.  You may develop your own snow chant and just keep repeating it until you see snow!*

Spring Ritual #5: Repeating a Spring Chant - Be warned - once you begin this ritual, you are at risk of getting the dreaded "song in your head" syndrome (and apparently, the latest on the cure for this is to solve anagrams so have them ready).  Recommended spring chants - The Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun," "The Farmer Plants the Seeds" (to the tune, yep, you guessed it, "The Farmer in the Dell"), or my favorite:

Snow Ritual #6: Throwing Ice Cubes Into the Tree -   Grab a few bowls of shaved ice and sprinkle them on trees and bushes around the yard. This ritual is meant to encourage a big freeze, and send a ‘cold message’ to the snow gods as a prompt.*

Spring Ritual #6: Throwing Toilet Paper into the Trees of... oh, never mind, that's another ritual...

Snow Ritual #7: Put a white crayon in the freezer - Put it under your pillow before bed.  I found several different ideas of  people putting different things under their pillows (cotton balls, cut-out paper snowflakes, Q-tips, etc.).  By the time you put them all under there, there may not be much sleeping going on (as if there was anyways with the excitement of a snow storm looming)!*

Spring Ritual #7: Put a green crayon in the freezer - of course, this year, I'd collect every green shade of crayon, marker, paint, chalk, if it's green and will fit in your freezer, go for it.

Snow Ritual #8: Sleep on opposite ends of the bed - The idea here is that you switch ends of the bed and sleep with your head where your feet usually are and your feet where your head usually is.*

Spring Ritual #8: Put away all down comforters, heating blankets or mattress warmers - Pile on multiple cotton blankets if you must, but do not give in to the snow gods.  Convince Mother Nature that you are ready for spring.  Hint: do not combine this ritual with ritual #1.

Snow Ritual #9: Wear gloves to bed - Cozy up with a pair of mittens and pray to the snow gods!*

Spring Ritual #9:  Wear gardening gloves to bed - Even better: beauty tip, first put on good layer of your favorite hand cream.

Snow Ritual #10: Yell “Snow Day” into the freezer - Or a number of other places in the house including the bath tub, and under your bed!*

Spring Ritual #10: Yell "It's Spring" into the BBQ grill - but I'd advise only doing this once.  Frequently yelling into your grill might alienate your neighbors.

*I want to thank Mid-Mitten Kids for sharing these awesome snow rituals on her blog {even if she is from Michigan ;)  Go, Buckeyes!}.

I also want to state that I take no responsibility for anything that might happen should you choose to partake in any of the rituals explained here - disclaimer, etc.  You get the gist.  Don't call me when you roll over onto your trowel.

I just looked outside again.  It's still snowing.  Time to put some more green stuff in the freezer.  If you have some spring rituals of your own you'd like to share, post away!