Today marks Risshun, the first day of spring in the traditional Japanese calendar. It doesn’t mean that winter suddenly disappears, but rather that the season has quietly shifted beneath the surface.
Risshun is less about what we can see and more about what has begun to change. The light grows subtly different, the air softens just a little, and the cycle moves forward — often before we are fully aware of it.
Here in Wales, the first signs of spring are starting to appear too. Daffodils, the national flower, and snowdrops are beginning to bloom, signalling the turning of the season. Noticing these early changes makes the arrival of spring feel closer, and with it, the excitement of the upcoming festival season — another small step nearer, and something to look forward to.