No, this is not a holiday I invented for me…
Among the ancient Romans, as I understand, the whole month of April was dedicated to the celebration of female deities in a season generally focused on fecundity…
And Fordicidia, observed on the 15th of April, was among the oldest of these many rites of spring observed in Rome.
It did include an unfortunate rite of sacrificing a pregnant cow to our Mother, the Earth.
The Wikipedia article draws our attention to a Chinese spring ritual where a porcelain cow is ritually brought out and smashed and within the shards many small cows are revealed, along with the speculation that this rite may well have begun as a sacrifice, as well.
No doubt we can pass on the cow sacrifice. In fact I think there may be a place for a restored rite that maybe does feature a porcelain cow. But, whatever, like many spiritual traditions with somewhat bloody antecedents, this day, this moment can be a call to that possibility that we find coursing through our veins at this time of year.
Recalling our fragility.
Recalling the earth’s fragility.
And at the same time, how hope bursts forth.
Like a new blossom…
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In