Spring Magick
Every family has their rituals for the seasons, things that happen only once a year which signify a passage and the turning of time. One of our rituals denoting the coming of Spring involves a train ride to the downtown arena. By the first week of February, we were plotting our escape to Spring. Checking dates, and vying for the best seats. Even side or odd side? Weekday or weekend? Early in the day or a later show? Each detail was given its due weight. The significance of each was well understood as it is tied in time to our Spring rite of passage.
Anticipation mounted as days were ticked off. We regaled ourselves in the days prior by telling stories of years gone by. Each of us revealing our favorite moments of Springs past. Finally, by mid March "that" special day was here. This year we had a brilliant warm Spring day in which to celebrate as we stood on the train platform. The closer the trained sped into the city, the more parents and children boarded the train, as this too was part of their rite of Spring. The electric energy of giggles and anticipation practically pushed the train into the downtown arena station stop. Excitement was literally everywhere.
From the moment we stepped into the arena, our senses were overwhelmed. Memories of childhood past come flooding back. Sounds, smells, tastes all larger that life. I am 48 and this has been part of my Spring ritual since I learned about it from my grandparents a generation ago. I very much understand the timelessness of this special type of Spring magick and am careful to pass it on intact to my young son. For him it is all mystery and magick.
We hustle to our seats, row A seats one and two - Section 109, as close to center as you can possibly get! We settle in and procure warm popcorn and a program from one of the arena vendors. Our anticipation mounts to bubbling over as we prepare for the most magic invocation on the planet. The house lights drop to black, a single spot comes up on the ringmaster. We hear the magic words that unite generations and last lifetimes, "Ladies and gentlemen and children of all ages Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey proudly presents …." Our senses explode in an overwhelming wave of sound and taste and smell and color and for hours, we are swept away and forget the grey hard days of winter. Spring is here. Perfect magick. Absolutely perfect.
LA. Judge & son
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey 134th Edition Circus
Baltimore Arena March 11-20, 2005
Baltimore, MD
Coming soon to a city near you.
|