Author's Note: The Spring equinox is the start of spring and the new year in many pre–Christian calendars. The equinox was on 20th March 2005 and  also the trigger for the date of Easter. Surprisingly, the Easter festival was actually borrowed from pagan rituals and the rabbit and eggs were both part of that. The festival has also been called the Festival of the Trees.

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Frodo looked up from the book he had been reading as Sam brought a tray of tea and biscuits into the study.

Sam always knew just when to interrupt Frodo's work, just as he was beginning to get frustrated, his eyes started to strain or when his back started to ache.

Not that there was anything wrong with Sam interrupting, anytime, Frodo thought.

"Sam, tomorrow's the spring equinox, is that correct?" inquired Frodo.

"Yes, sir," Sam replied. "The spring festival starts tomorrow with an egg hunt in Hobbiton. And I've heard Fatty will be the rabbit this year. I think he's hoping that being a fertility icon will have the lasses flocking. Although, I doubt that larger ears will help."

"You may be right, Sam, it may take more than a costume and a few free eggs for Fatty to catch a maiden. But maybe with spring in the air that will be all he'll need. Talking about spring celebrations, I've been reading about other ways that the first day of spring has been celebrated." Frodo held up a small book covered in purple velvet with gold lettering. "It's called the Goddess' Book of Days."

Sam had placed the tray on the sideboard and was now leaning on the side of the table, knowing that Frodo was wanting to share his new discovery. "Well sir, what does this goddess say you should do during the festival of the trees."

"Listen Sam. It sounds quite intriguing.

Find a comfortable, safe, and quiet place to be for this meditation. Close your eyes. Relax and centre yourself by taking deep slow breaths. Now journey inward.

Imagine that you are in a hilly countryside. It is just before dawn at the beginning of Springtime. The land is nearing the end of its Wintertime slumber.

You face the East and watch the Sun as it begins to rise. Rays of light shimmer onto the land and into the sky. Experience the beautiful colours of light that is the Dawn.

Now, as the glowing disc of the Sun becomes visible above the hills, you see the Goddess appear on the land in the distance in the East. She is beginning to move toward you. As She moves, the land awakens with new life.

You see Her coming toward you in the form of a Beautiful Maiden. You see Her radiant face and flowing gown. She is carrying a golden basket filled with coloured eggs. Beside Her is Her companion, a frisky magical Rabbit. As They come closer to you, you see that with each step that They take, the land around them bursts into new life and grows green. New grasses sprout from the ground. Herbs flourish. Trees grow new leaves.

You call out a welcome to Them and to the Spring they bring. As you meet face to face, you see that the Goddess and the Rabbit are both smiling a welcome to you. She then holds Her golden basket toward you and invites you to choose one of the eggs in it as a gift of Spring. You notice that each egg has a different colour. You see the beautiful array of choices. You feel more drawn to one of the eggs than the others and choose it. Now you hold the egg that you have selected in both of your hands.

You first focus on its colour and reflect on what that colour means to you. ..... Then the Goddess invites you to ask this Sacred Egg to give you a message about personal growth. You ask this and then are quiet as you pay attention to whatever words, symbols, sensations, impressions, and/or other forms of message emerge. ......

The Goddess now invites you to take this Sacred Egg and its power of new growth into yourself. You hold it to your heart and as you do this, you absorb it into your being. You experience the renewal of Springtime. You radiate vitality. Be immersed in this experience. ......

"Isn't that beautiful Sam. What a lovely way to welcome spring"

The spring air must have been working its magic on Sam as he decided to have some fun with his master. "Mr Frodo," he giggled," I think you'll have to find some other ritual in the book to perform for the equinox. You're rarely out of bed by second breakfast, let alone sunrise."

"You're in a fine mood today Sam" Frodo parried back. "And yes, you are right, it would take a momentous occasion to have me out and about by dawn. I will have to read more to see if I can find a ritual that can be done without getting out of bed quite so early"

Or one that involved staying in bed and tumbling a golden haired gardener, Frodo thought, dipping his head to avoid Sam seeing the twinkle in his eye or the grin broadening on his lips.

"Well, best be getting back to work, sir," Sam said as he pushed himself off the desk. "I've got a lot to do and I'll be starting spring cleaning tomorrow"

Sam drifted back into the kitchen unaware of a pair of eyes that followed him as far as they could down the hall.

Frodo went back to reading the book, wishing that he could know how Sam felt about him. Maybe he could ask the Goddess.

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