New breath, light, and life. April: a month of rebirth, where nature has fully awakened from its wintry sleep.
Ovid, the immortal poet, claims that the name April comes from the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, born of the sea foam, the aphron. As March appears to correlate with Mars, the god of war, Venus (Aphrodite) would serve as a gentle balancing force to the harsh end of the cold months.
Others believe the month’s name is derived from aperire, to open, a month of entry and new starts. Spring is the season of unclosing: the sky grows clearer with sunlight, the earth welcomes new seeds and blooming trees. Rivers thaw to crisp streaming waters and house new marine life. Birds return.
April blossoms with new harmony: a chorus of fledglings, red-breast, blackbirds. Waterfalls babble again. Moss cloaks tree stumps. Flora come back with vibrant force: daffodils, garden hyacinth, violet—trees return, almond, peach, and elm. Nature brims with life afresh, glowing with greens of all shades. The earth is alive with song.
The endearing sweet pea is April’s flower, the flower of the nostalgic heart. The folds of the sweet pea’s blossoms hold precious oils that, in ancient lore, were believed to entice strangers. Crystal, the month’s birthstone, is associated with independence, youth, and enthusiasm. When worn, crystal is said to help one maintain inner strength and exude passion in all endeavors .
April’s astrological signs are Aries until the 21st, and Taurus for the rest of the month. Aries, the fiery ram, is a fiercely courageous leader and natural pioneer, embodying dynamism and adventure. Taurus is persistent and determined, the earth sign representative of a bull’s unwavering strength.
April is a month of cultural recognition as well as sacred beginnings in various religious traditions. Easter and Passover occur during the month, as well as Earth day, National Poetry Month, and remembrance of the Armenian genocide. America’s pastime, Major League Baseball, also begins again, capturing the country’s attention with undertones of teamwork, motivation, inspiration.
