The awakening of Narcissus

On the eve of Washington’s birthday there is a swelling, nearly full moon that will be casting its cool blue-white light across a chilly landscape tonight. Commonly, at this late season, the last full moon of winter would be known as the Hunger Moon. However, it would not be in error to address this night’s Queen of the Heavens as the “Moon of Awakening” or the “Daffy-dills Moon,” as in Shakespeare, who spoke admiringly of the “daffodils that come before the swallow dare and take the winds of March with beauty.”

Daffodils, holding a membership in the narcissus (from narcotic) family, were named after the Grecian lad who became so intoxicated with his beauty he drowned in the mirroring waters while admiring himself.

In more modern times, the decedents of these pioneer daffodils, especially the paper-white versions, have become among the earliest of flowers to awaken and, for this reason, are selected to lead the spring flower parade, as the most popular and welcome signal of change in the offing. However, some of its many ardent admirers have reported that this year’s upcoming narcissus crop has become a bit confused, finding themselves facing the unpredictable and excessively frosty spring weather, for quite a number of them have already happily poked their heads above ground only to regret their eagerness.

This story was originally published February 20, 2016 at 1:00 PM with the headline "The awakening of Narcissus."