One of my favorite ways to end the day is to soak in my hot tub on my back deck. The weather has been very cold for this time of year in the Pacific Northwest and we are still having intermittent snow flurries; and this week high winds. It makes me appreciate the warm tub even more!
Even though Spring is around the corner, Winter’s grasp is still strong. Soaking and relaxing, I thought I heard a frog croak—no that couldn’t be, it’s too cold. But no, in just another minute there was a significant number of frogs singing to the stars above (and each other to be sure!) It was the first frog I have heard this year. I live just above the wetlands spreading out to Lummi Bay and the frog song can be deafening on a warm spring night. Tonight was not that night, but it does hold the seed and promise of the raucous and fertile time that is quickly approaching, no matter that the land still wears its winter coat.
Frogs bring Othalla or Othala to mind. It is a rune that looks like a tadpole that has grown back legs and also a bit like part of the double-helix of DNA. It is concerned with ancestry, DNA, heritage, prosperity, and heredity. Frogs have sensitive DNA and changes in the frog population is often an early indication that there is something affecting the environment in a negative way. Frogs also change dramatically in form from the time they hatch from the egg as a tadpole to transforming into a 4-legged frog. They even have the ability to change sex to ensure that there are enough pairs to replenish the population. With this amazing ability it is no wonder that storytellers chose a frog to turn into a prince with a kiss from a beautiful princess—that would be significant motivation for change!
As I listen to the frogs I am filled with gratitude knowing that even though I can’t feel Spring yet; the frogs can. I am reassured that the endless cycles of nature are repeating; and Spring will not be stopped. There are buds on the Japanese Cherry tree and I did see a single daffodil poking out her yellow bonnet just this morning. Spring is coming—just listen to the frogs; they know.
Blessing of the Coming Spring,
Deb
