Ridvan showers

There is a flood warning in Northern Virginia. The rain pours and the air is pure. The gentle sprouts of the grape vines we planted last year are becoming more confident and opening the petals of their soft-green and purple leaves. It is the first day of Ridvan!

Verily, all created things were immersed in the sea of purification when, on that first day of Ridvan, We shed upon the whole of creation the splendours of Our most excellent Names and Our most exalted Attributes. This, verily, is a token of My loving providence, which hath encompassed all the worlds. Consort ye then with the followers of all religions, and proclaim ye the Cause of your Lord, the Most Compassionate; this is the very crown of deeds, if ye be of them who understand.

(Baha’u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 47)