At the risk of being repetitive, I have one more post about spring. It’s April on the West Coast, and I just can’t help myself—it’s a glorious time of year here and one of my favorite months. This is partly due to the fact that it’s my mother’s and sister’s birth month and also the month of my daughter’s birth.
But all those family connections aside, April stands on its own, as a time of rebirth and rejuvenation. It’s not a surprise that these rites occur during the month of April. The origin of the word “April” comes from the verb “aperire,” which means “to open.” It’s commonly believed that the word refers to the season of trees and flowers that begin to “open” or bloom. Observers of nature know that the smaller animals that hibernate for the winter in the Northern Hemisphere usually start coming out of their burrows in April. It is also the month that the birds migrate north and settle down for the summer to mate.
No one is sure how the month ended up with its name, but we do know the Romans named it “Aprillis”, and to me, that’s close enough! For those who follow zodiac signs, it’s interesting to know that there are two zodiac signs in April. Aries, which is until April 19th, and Taurus, which is April 20th and onwards.
Those who were born in April have a diamond as their birthstone, which represents innocence. Their birth flower is either a Daisy or a Sweet Pea. The diamond is the traditional birthstone of April and those born in that month value its significance. Some people think it provides the wearer with better relationships and an increase in inner strength. Considered to be one of the hardest substances on the globe, natural diamonds date back billions of years.
Stargazers enjoy April, a great month for meteor showers. One of the most spectacular is the Lyrids meteor shower, which appears from April 16th to April 26th each year. Another one, the Eta Aquariids meteor shower, can be seen onwards from April 21st.
Quite a few notable historical people can be associated with April—Leonardo da Vinci, Shakespeare, and Queen Elizabeth II were all born in that month. George Washington was inaugurated as the First President of the United States on April 30, 1789.
I could go on and on about this amazing month, but I’ll end with one of the most well-known dates of April, April Fools’ Day on the 1st of the month. No one is sure where this term originated, but some believe it to be inspired by Geoffrey Chaucer’s story in “Canterbury Tales” called “Nun’s Priest’s Tale.” Although there’s more to April than April Fool’s Day, that is definitely one of the most interesting days of the month!
And of course, as we all know, “April showers bring May flowers,” so if the rains of April ever make you gloomy, just remember that the perfection of a calm, May day is just around the corner!
Through the years, poets have expressed their love and admiration for April. Here are excerpts from some memorable poems that have endured throughout history:
“Oh to be in England now that April’s here.” Robert Browning.
“Her laughter sounded like April showers, like whispered secrets, like glass wind-chimes.” Rebecca McNutt.
“A gush of bird-song, a patter of dew, A cloud, and a rainbow’s warning, Suddenly sunshine and perfect blue – An April day in the morning.” Harriet Prescott Spofford.
“Our spring has come at last with the soft laughter of April suns and shadow of April showers.” Byron Caldwell Smith.
“April comes like an idiot, babbling and strewing flowers.” Edna St. Vincent Millay.
“Pronounce these words slowly: forsythia, magnolia, azalea, redbud. Spring: it’s not a fantasy, it’s real.” Marty Rubin.
I hope you are cheered by the warmer weather and are at last able to get outside and enjoy the out-of-doors. And BTW, Happy Birthday, if you were born in April!
We’re having a bit more than April showers here. Our entire annual rainfall has dropped in the first three months of this year, and we are going into autumn now. Enjoy your wonderful spring season.
You must be in Australia or New Zealand. Just guesses—it’s hard for me to conceptualize other parts of the world having autumn when we are currently anticipating spring! Whatever your season, I’m sure you are enjoying it, although from my perspective, I’d rather have spring LOL!
Yes, I am in Australia, on the east coast of New South Wales where we are currently experiencing a La Nina weather pattern which is bringing much unusual rain.
I remember spring in Europe, which might be even more exaggerated where you are. Such a beautiful time of the year. The Aprilis opening, definitely.
Worth another post, Diane. Both the words and the photo
I’m in New Zealand, and so it’s Autumn and last weekend the clocks fell backwards so of course, me the human and her internal body clock are not on the same page…usually leaves have started this journey of leaving branches but this year there seems to be a delay. However, the nights are cooler which is a blessing and the days on average, at least most of this week glorious days – Cheers Catherine
Hey Catherine, so nice to learn your name! The time change always leaves me feeling a little bit ‘off balance’. Guess I am one of these people who likes to have things stay the same. You could say I resist change—must be a symptom of growing old! I’m tuned in to the seasons as well. Spring, as I tell anyone who will listen, is my favorite time!
April for us is the hottest month of the year and this one is no exception with temperatures breaking all earlier records. We are about to instal air conditioners in our drawing room which was not necessary all these years.
And they say climate change isn’t real! I hope the air conditioners help!
I’m on the East Coast, and I like April too, for all the reasons you mention. And I like your quotes too. One thing though. A little too much rain this year, so I’m looking forward more than usual to those May flowers!
I’m on the west coast, Diane, in northern CA and we’re in another year of drought. I love spring and its rebirth sentiments, but we need more rain, and I’m afraid we won’t get enough. Fire season will begin soon which has become frightening. I recently posted a poem I wrote about climate change. It’s real for us. We’ve lived here for over twenty years and the climate has definitely changed, no doubt about it. However, to end this comment on a high note, I love noticing all the beautiful, bright blooms on my morning walks and will do a post soon, displaying some of them. Lovely post and great quotes. Lauren 🌸
Lauren, I wish I could send you some of our ENDLESS rain from New England. We are all gasping for sunshine here. Now that would be a pipeline worth building and not one detrimental to the environment. Amy
Amy, I wish you could, too, and agreed. 🙂
We are on the west coast also, but much further north. We have rain all winter and plenty of it! I’m always so happy to see the end of it, come spring. But yes, I can appreciate your worry about not having enough rain, with the fire season approaching. I hope things work out for both of us this year!
It looks like rain will arrive tomorrow and Thursday, if the report doesn’t change. I hope for the same for both of us, too, Diane. It’s from one extreme to the other, isn’t it? 🙂
I’ve always enjoyed Robert Browning’s line–as England is my favorite place on earth–and it’s been quite the honor to share a birth month with dear Will Shakespeare, but I must thank you for informing us about the Lyrids meteor shower. I love the night sky and one of the sad effects of climate change–though not as tragic as many–has been the almost continual cloud cover in New England at night. Nevertheless, I will be on the lookout for the Lyrids!
I have never heard of perpetual cloud cover being a result of climate change. It would be wonderful to have the sky clear at least long enough to allow you to enjoy the Lyrids! Fingers crossed!
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