40 – Seasons *

Special thanks to Amy for providing the photos. Amy is in the USA and I encourage readers to visit her photography blog Heaven on Earth. Amy is currently dealing with family matters, so she has blocked comments. But still visit to see her photos and feel free to comment on her images here. Besides, she may make a surprise appearance here. Amy’s work is copyrighted by Amy Rose Photography.

Click the video above for 2 minutes of background waves while reading.

I like walking on the beach. It is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.

Several thoughts come to mind as I start wondering about the seasons of the year. For all of the world, each season is different by location. That is, spring is spring – but not all springs are the same. On the larger scale and to some people, the changes are more subtle – to others, including me, each season is quite different.

Each season is nature’s transition time in the flow of life. Like each wave that I see, one season arrives, then another follows. The waves can also represent the gradual changes within each season. After all, the beginning of the season is different from its end.

The yearly seasons also flow like a steady river. It is a slow, constant process with seemingly periods of more sudden changes and periods of slower maintenance. Each season is nature’s time of continual transition.

Seasons are a natural period of existence – a time that begins to end and return to wash, rinse, and repeat. Seasons are cyclical rhythms of life corresponding to ebb and flow, back and forth, plus come and go. Seasons are the wheel of life about a time that is, that will pass, and will return – yet each season possesses its vital spirit.

Seasons, marked by equinoxes, are about changing weather, ecology, and daylight associated with Earth’s tilt relative to the sun. The position delivers opposite seasons in the northern and southern hemispheres – a time when the sun’s arc is progressing higher or lower, so its angle is either high or low.

To those of us in temperate regions, we know the seasons as spring, summer, autumn, and winter – but those in the topics may best associate with dry and wet. Seasons are about terms as prevernal, vernal, estival, serotinal, autumnal, and hibernal. To some people, seasons are about events, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, monsoons, wildfires, floods, or droughts. To those closer to the poles, seasons provide extremes as the midnight sun and polar nights, as well as the glories of glowing polar auroras.

To those of us experiencing four seasons, each presents different moods. Winter is the quiet time for slumber, dormancy, reflection, and renewal. A time leading to the agitation period of spring – the time of rebirth, rejuvenation, and growth. Summer is the season of joy and fun – a period that is full of life – yet we tire to slow down into autumn’s annual wane. Then back to winter to reflect on what was and to prepare for what is to come.

Each of us not only have a favorite season, we can provide our positive and negatives for each – but that is a matter of personal perspective based on their life experiences and preferences. Not only does clothing fashion change with seasons, nature displays its unique version of beauty in each season through differences in vegetation, weather, and sun.

Seasons are a time when biological life responds with blooms, active wombs, births, growth, migrations, color changes, falling leaves, dormancy, cocoons, eggs, and death.

I think about times when life in agrarian societies centered around the seasons of planting and harvest. Even though overall human society has changed and continues to change, the importance of agrarian life remains – and cultures and societies continue to celebrate the end of the harvest season.

Thinking about the seasons is a reminder about The Four Seasons, Vivaldi’s musical composition representing seasonal sounds and moods through music. Surely we can’t forget the musical contributions of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

Seasons are a time we associate with terms as innocence, reverence, perseverance, harmony, comfort, silence, patience, awakening, melancholy, and romance.

By thinking about seasons, I link them to the cycle of life for all living things. After all, the seasons correspond to birth, growth, maturity, decline, and death.

My final thought about seasons has to do with this place – the beach. People commonly associate beaches with the warm weather of spring and summer, plus many fun-in-the-sun activities. Yet as I walk, it is winter – but to me, this place feels like my typical autumn moving directly toward spring – seeming to bypassing winter. I guess that’s why I’m here. Besides, I like walking on the beach because it is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.

See what other bloggers have written about beaches

• Vivaldi’s Four Seasons in 1974 (poem)
• Embracing the Four Seasons (essay and photos)
• Song of Seasons (poem by a visitor here)
• The Four Seasons (painting)
• December: Four Seasons in One Week (photos and essay)

Next Post: Cold – Saturday 13 February @ 1 AM (Eastern US)

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