Well, regardless of what the groundhog said or saw (a rodent is not a meteorologist), spring is at the door. I watched as the sun went down at 6:03 pm on Friday the 13th and then noticed it didn’t get dark until 6:22 pm on February 15th. This is not to say that we don’t have any more winter-like days to come, but we know that the time of renewal and rebirth is on the way. Below, I have listed some of the significant days of the month to look forward to.

The month of March marks a significant transition, symbolizing renewal and the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere (vernal equinox) while historically acting as the Roman New Year. Named after Mars, the Roman god of war and agriculture, it represents a period of awakening, historically initiating campaigns and agricultural cycles.

Symbolism of Spring: March 1 marks the start of meteorological spring, with the vernal equinox (around March 20-21) bringing equal day and night, signaling the end of winter.

Historical Origins: Originally, the first month in the Roman calendar (Martius) was named for Mars, the god of war, as it was the time to resume military campaigns.

The Equinox: The March Equinox (Spring Equinox in the North, Autumnal in the South) occurs around March 20, 2026. This is nature’s “reset”, where day and night are nearly equal in length.

Daylight Saving Time: Most of the United States and Canada “spring forward” on the second Sunday of the month (March 8, 2026).

Meteorological Shift: Often described as coming “in like a lion and out like a lamb”, the month is characterized by the transition from winter storms to mild spring weather.

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Major Observances & Holidays

Women’s History Month: A month-long celebration of women’s contributions to history and society.

International Women’s Day: Observed globally on March 8 to advocate for gender equality.

St Patrick’s Day: Held on March 17, it commemorates the patron saint of Ireland and has evolved into a global celebration of Irish culture.

Holi: The Hindu “Festival of Colors” celebrating the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil falls on March 3, 2026.

Religious Fasting: March 2026 coincides with several major religious periods, including the latter half of Lent (Christianity) and the start of Ramadan (Islam), with Eid al-Fitr projected around March 19-20.

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And where would we be without a little poetry?

The Springtime by Rumi

The springtime of Lovers has come,

that this dust bowl may become a garden;

the proclamation of heaven has come,

that the bird of the soul may rise in flight.

The sea becomes full of pearls,

the salt marsh becomes sweet as kauthar,

the stone becomes a ruby from the mine,

the body becomes wholly soul.

The intellectual is always showing off,

the lover is always getting lost.

The intellectual runs away.

afraid of drowning;

the whole business of love

is to drown in the sea.

Intellectuals plan their repose;

lovers are ashamed to rest.

The lover is always alone.

even surrounded by people;

like water and oil, he remains apart.

The man who goes to the trouble

of giving advice to a lover

get nothing. He’s mocked by passion.

Love is like musk. It attracts attention.

Love is a tree, and the lovers are its shade.

In Time of Silverof Silver Rain by Langston Hughes

In TIme of Silver Rain the earth puts forth new life again.

Green grasses grow and flowers lifts their heads, and all over the playing the wonder spreads

Of Life

Of life

Of life

In time of silver rain

The butterflies lift like silken wings to catch a rainbow cry,

And trees put forth new leaves to sing in joy beneath the sky.

As down the roadway passing boys and girls go singing too,

In time of silver rain. When spring and life are new.