To me, the expression “flower moon” is laden with dubious notions of youths with long hair and fringed waistcoats, a la 1960’s, whiling the night away in narcotic-induced trances. But April has longed been known as the flower moon, most likely because it is the time of year when, following the Stygian winter months, the flowers appear. Again, it is all notional; because of our ever-erratic climate, those lovely pale pink and white blossoms that define early spring have already appeared and vanished from the trees near where I dwell, ditto the daffodils in the park. A pity, but at least it is a sign of the roses and gladioli and lavender flowers to come. No wonder that in ancient Rome, the Sabine people dedicated the month of April to Flora, goddess of flowers. In her honour, “courtesans” were encouraged to participate in the Floralia, games held in her honour. As a gesture, Flora gave mankind the gift of honey. And us lunar-ticks have another reason to be jubiliant: on this very day, April 8, lucky denizens of certain areas of North America, are about to witness a total solar eclipse, brought about by a hiatus in the position of the moon....cool! To those of you who can, enjoy.
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