On Nature's Illusion.

I think it’s true to say that we folks living in temperate latitudes generally agree that winter lasts longer than summer, even though we know it doesn’t. I used to think that it was a simple temporal illusion on a par with the fact that time appears to rush by when we’re active and having fun, but drags when we’re sedentary and feeling bored. But this evening I realised that there’s a more compelling reason.

During the summer, nature is constantly changing its appearance. The leaves on the trees are coloured various hues in early summer, but gradually standardise to a regular green as the light increases and the air becomes warmer. The blossom that arrives early eventually falls to be replaced by berries or fruit. The flowers in the garden are particularly notable for being in a constant state of flux, from the early crocuses and primroses to the final flowering of the sedums which presage the change from high summer to the onset of autumn. In short, nature is constantly reminding us that time is flowing relentlessly as the world turns.

Winter is different. From somewhere around the end of November to late February, nature goes into visual stasis. The world still turns and time continues to flow, but the view across the landscape looks pretty much the same. And so it seems to our minds that time has stopped. Only the change in day length offers the truth of the matter, but the cold winds and lack of colour are potent distractions.

I wonder why it’s taken me this long to notice something so obvious.