Funferal

Defining the seasons

I’ve mentioned before some of the minor cultural differences that only become apparent to me as I spend more time here in Urbana. One is the definition of when the seasons begin. Late this February I was surprised to hear people speak of the coming start of Spring. As far as I was concerned Spring began on the first of February. This is essentially because the equinoxes and solstices are seen as mid-points of seasons, rather than as starting points as seems to be common here. So, for instance, we celebrate the summer solstice as mid-Summer – I note that Wikipedia point to St John’s Day (24th) being the day that is traditionally used (with mid-Summer’s Eve being celebrated, with bonfires, on the evening of the 23rd). Though I know I’ve been at bonfire celebrations on occasion I can’t remember whether they were on 23rd or 20th.
Celebrating mid–Summer in mid-June, of course makes the beginning of May the beginning of Summer – which makes sense in the context of the ancient celebration of May Day. [Incidentally I’ll be celebrating this May Day with a special edition of Celtic Music Go Braugh Go Braugh on WEFT. Two hours of Irish and Celtic songs of Labour, work and struggle.] Incidentally, again, I’ve been unable to find any reference online to a tradition, celebrated at least in West Cork, of stinging people with nettles on this day (leading to May Day being referred to as Nettlemas Day) – though it would seem similar in spirit to the Bealtaine tradition of need-fires.
Here in America it the astronomical calendar is followed and the solstices and equinoxes are seen as the starting points of the seasons. So Winter begins on 21st December, Spring on 21st March, Summer on 21st June and Autumn/Fall on 21st September. Somehow classifying late November as Autumn just seems wrong to me….