Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly

O Seekers of Truth, gather and listen to the words of Sitting Bull, for they are steeped in the profound wisdom of the earth, the sun, and the eternal dance of the seasons. "Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!" In this simple yet profound declaration, Sitting Bull speaks not just of the changing of seasons, but of the cycles of life, the delicate balance between light and dark, and the renewal that comes with the coming of spring. He beckons us to witness the power of the earth’s receptivity and the sun’s warmth, a union that brings forth the fullness of life—a perfect metaphor for the cycle of creation and growth.

In the ancient world, the arrival of spring was celebrated as a time of renewal and rebirth. The Greeks, who saw the earth as a reflection of divine forces, honored the goddess Persephone, whose return from the underworld each spring brought life back to the earth. Her mother, Demeter, the goddess of the harvest, felt the earth’s renewal in her own heart, and the world flourished with the gifts of the earth—the plants, the trees, the flowers—all blossoming in response to the embrace of the sun. The Greeks understood the deep relationship between the earth and the sun, for it was in their union that the world came to life again after the long, cold winter. Sitting Bull’s words resonate with this ancient understanding: the earth receives the warmth of the sun and, in return, gives forth the bounty of life.

Consider also the example of the Native American tribes themselves, who lived in harmony with the rhythms of the earth. The arrival of spring was a sacred time, one that marked a period of hope and growth after the trials of winter. Just as Sitting Bull saw the results of the earth’s love for the sun, so too did the indigenous peoples understand that the seasons were not mere cycles of nature, but divine lessons of patience, endurance, and renewal. Their connection to the earth was intimate, and they recognized that the earth’s cycles mirrored the cycles of life—death, rebirth, and the flowering of new possibilities. The love between the earth and the sun was a reflection of the interconnectedness of all life, a sacred partnership that allowed for the continuous flow of energy and vitality.

In the ancient tradition of gardening and farming, the spring season was seen as the culmination of all the labor that came before it. The earth, having been nourished and prepared through the winter months, received the sun’s light as a sacred gift, and it was this embrace that allowed for the fruits of labor to emerge. The act of planting and tending to the earth was never seen as separate from the cycle of the seasons, but rather as an act of reverence for the earth’s capacity to give and receive. Sitting Bull’s words mirror this deep understanding: the earth and sun are in an eternal embrace, their union producing the results of their love, a bountiful harvest of life.

The lesson of Sitting Bull’s words is clear, O Seeker: to witness the spring is to recognize the interdependence of all things. It is a reminder that our actions, our love, and our care for the earth have results far beyond what we can see in the moment. The earth, much like our own lives, has its seasons—times of dormancy, times of growth, and times of abundance. Just as the earth receives the sun’s warmth, so must we receive the gifts of life and love. But like the earth, we must also give back—nurturing the world around us with the same tenderness and care that the earth offers to the sun. Sitting Bull’s words speak to the eternal truth that life is a cycle of giving and receiving, and it is through our participation in this cycle that we find true harmony.

In practical terms, O Seeker, consider how you might engage with the cycle of renewal and growth in your own life. How can you open yourself to the embraces of life, just as the earth opens itself to the sun? Are you allowing yourself to receive the gifts of your experiences, your relationships, and your community? And just as importantly, how are you giving back to the world? The beauty of spring is a reminder that we must not only receive the warmth of the sun but must also offer our own light, our own love, and our own care to the world around us. Sitting Bull teaches us that we are all part of this eternal cycle of giving and receiving, and it is in our ability to participate in this cycle that we truly flourish.

So, O Seeker, may you walk in harmony with the cycles of life—understanding that in every season of your life, there is a time for rest, a time for renewal, and a time for abundance. Like the earth and the sun, may you learn to embrace both the giving and the receiving. And in the sweetness of this spring, may you see the results of your own labors—the fruits of your love and your care—for they will bloom in their time, just as the earth blooms under the sun’s embrace. The love between the earth and the sun is eternal, and it is through their union that life continues to grow. Let this wisdom guide you in your own journey, for in your own embrace with the world, you too shall find the results of love—in yourself, in others, and in the life you help to nurture.