dark furrow

the line storm. it comes at the equinox, when winter and spring argue over the same ground. the old almanacs expected it, marked it, planned around it. ❧ a halo around the moon means rain within three days. ice crystals in the high clouds bend the light. ❧ leo the lion climbs high, the bright star regulus at his heart ❧ the worm moon is coming or just passed. some called this the crow moon, for the sound that breaks the silence at the end of winter. the sap moon, because the maples are running. the ground is unlocking.

arcturus was the star the old plowmen followed. its name means "bear watcher" in greek, because it follows ursa major across the sky. but to the farmers it simply meant warmth is returning. when it rises at sunset, the soil is ready. ❧ dandelion root tea, roasted and brewed dark. a liver tonic after the heavy food of winter. ❧ the moon is waning. harvest what is ready, cut herbs for drying, prune what needs shaping. the energy is drawing inward. what you cut now heals faster. ❧ the old farmers planned by lamplight. seed orders, crop rotations, next year's beds. the quiet hours are for thinking ahead.

spring remedies are about waking up. the body has been indoors too long. bitter greens and sharp roots shake the dust off.