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By Mark Zeiger, March 1, 2020

We had some seriously, notably calm weather the last days of February. Then, last night, a southerly gale came in at around 40 knots. We’ve seen worse on the first of March, (see March Arrives in Leonine Fashion) but it seems like plenty anyway. March is roaring in like a lion.

We’ve seen worse weather, but we’ve also seen better . . . . (Photo: Mark A. Zeiger).

Oddly, and perhaps inconveniently, considering the weather, I’m suddenly getting active. Yesterday, Michelle and I hiked out to the cars to haul in some laundry and groceries. I think it might have been my first hike out in weeks, and I only went as far as the road. In the coming week, I plan to go to town three times.

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By Mark Zeiger, March 3, 2012

Here’s a cool little coincidence: on this 3rd of March, the month named for the god Mars, the planet named after the same deity is in opposition to earth. That is to say, the planet Mars is as close to Earth as it can get in its orbit.

The night of February 29th was beautifully clear. Admiring the quarter moon and the brighter stars and planets from the edge of our homestead, I noticed that Mars seemed a bit brighter than normal. It turns out that it is brighter, because it’s coming closer.

Right here is where I’d love to insert a photo of that view, but as I’ve complained before, I have neither the talent or the equipment to take good photos of the night sky, so I’ll have to leave it to your imagination, or, if tonight is clear, your own observation.

Today is also Saint Winnal’s Day, the day from which we get the March coming in as a lion or lamb tradition. St. Winnal is apparently associated with storms. Some say he’s one of those pagan gods thinly dressed up as a Christian saint (like my all time favorite, Saint Dionysus. I mean, come on!). He may possibly be a Christianized Aegir, the Teutonic god of the sea, in charge of tides and weather. That would make a certain amount of sense.

March 1st is Saint David’s Day, March 2nd is Saint Chad’s. That, and the information above account for this funny little traditional weather rhyme:

“First comes David, next comes Chad, then comes Winnal, roaring mad!”