Day: September 20, 2024

Ostara’s Meaning, Traditions and A Simple Ostara Ritual

Ostara’s Meaning, Traditions & A Simple Ostara Ritual Source: otherworldlyoracle.com

The Spring Equinox is knocking on our dew-stained windows, beckoning us to remember its beauty and release. Many Wiccans, witches and Pagans celebrate the Spring Equinox, also known as Ostara, which falls around March 21st in the Northern Hemisphere and around September 21st in the Southern Hemisphere. Learn all about Ostara’s meaning, how to celebrate Ostara with old and modern traditions, correspondences, and adapt our simple Ostara ritual as your own.

Ostara and Easter’s Similar Origins

The word Ostara originates from a Spring Goddess’s name—Eostre. The symbols of Ostara are uncannily similar to the traditions of the Christian holiday Easter. Why is this? To find Jesus’ Resurrection Day on the calendar – look at the first full moon following the Spring Equinox, and Easter will be on the first Sunday following the full moon. If it happens the first full moon of Spring falls on a Sunday, then Easter will be on the following Sunday.

Easter & Fertility

The word Easter looks a lot like the Spring Goddess’s name Eostre, doesn’t it? There’s no coincidence there! Ostara (the Spring Equinox) was celebrated by Germanic people including the Anglo-Saxons. Fertility and rebirth of the earth were the two main reasons for Ostara festivities. The earth is returning to its abundant greenness and the sun is returning to the high skies. Flowers are budding, lambs are bleating in the fields, and the whole of nature is singing.

Ostara Symbols and Traditions

The Easter Bunny is an image on a pedestal with the likes of Santa Claus and The Tooth Fairy. But where does the Easter Bunny come from? Just like so many other historical Holiday icons and traditions, the Easter Bunny was born from Pagan customs. Bunnies are cute, fluffy, and hippety-hoppety. But they’re also known for mating. LOTS of it. It should come as no surprise the Rabbit is one of Ostara’s original symbols of fertility. In addition, there’s speculation the goddess Eostre once had a consort who was part-rabbit and of whom was depicted as a man-sized hare.

Easter Eggs

Easter Eggs are another symbol of fertility and rebirth. Christians claim Easter eggs represent Christ’s Resurrection – an egg inevitably means new life or birth into a new life. The “dying of eggs” tradition may have its roots in the ancient Zoroastrians’ painting egg ritual on the Spring Equinox. Painting eggs is a common activity at various times of the year for many countries, including Ukraine, the U.S., Austria, Germany, Poland, Russia, and Bulgaria.

Flowers

Another image that is widely associated with Ostara and Easter…the flower. The symbol of the flower is new life. Flowers have an uplifting effect on us. Their bright colors prove even though there is a time for death, there will always be a time for rebirth. This Ostara, pick some wildflowers and place them in a vase on your table or altar. Or decorate your table with Spring greenery. It will remind you of the beauty of Spring and of the true meaning of Ostara (and Easter, for that matter) which is new life.

21 September 2024 Current Moon Phase and Planetary Positions for the Southern Hemisphere

Source: nineplanets.org

The current moon phase for September 21st, 2024 is the Waning Gibbous phase.

On this day, the moon is 17.69 days old and 88.26% illuminated with a tilt of -68.118°. The approximate distance from Earth to the moon is 362,508.30 km and the moon sign is Taurus.

The Moon phase for September 21st, 2024 is a Waning Gibbous phase. This is the first phase after the Full Moon where the illumination of the moon decreases each day until it reaches 50% (the Last Quarter phase).

The waning (shrinking) gibbous Moon will rise after sunset in the east, transit the meridian after midnight, before setting after sunrise in the west.

During this phase, the illumination of the moon will go down from 99.% to 50.1%. Technically, the phase starts as soon as the Full Moon has passed, but it can be difficult to calculate and differentiate the first stage of a Waning Gibbous Moon from a Full Moon when 98-99% of the Moon’s surface is illuminated.

Fun fact: the word Gibbous was first used in the 14th century and comes from the latin word gibbosus which means humpbacked.

Phase Details

Phase: Waning Gibbous

Moon age: 17.69 days

Moon illumination: 88.26%

Moon tilt: -68.118°

Moon angle: 0.55

Moon distance: 362,508.30 km

Moon sign: Taurus

Source: currentplanetarypositions.com

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

21 September 2024
02:00 am GMT 12:00 PM AEST
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:28 Virgo 35
Moon:10 Taurus 29
Mercury:20 Virgo 17
Venus:27 Libra 32
Mars:09 Cancer 28
Jupiter:20 Gemini 47
Saturn:15 Pisces 03 Rx
Uranus:27 Taurus 06 Rx
Neptune:28 Pisces 31 Rx
Pluto:29 Capricorn 45 Rx

True Lunar Node:06 Aries 38
Mean Lunar Node:06 Aries 54 Rx

Lilith (Black Moon):09 Libra 16

Chiron:22 Aries 15 Rx
Ceres:09 Capricorn 21
Pallas:03 Sagittarius 53
Juno:14 Libra 40
Vesta:12 Virgo 50

Eris:25 Aries 12 Rx

Fire:5
Earth:7
Air:4
Water:3
Cardinal:10
Fixed:2
Mutable:7

Cape Town, South Africa
10:00 am GMT 12:00 PM SAST
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:28 Virgo 55
Moon:15 Taurus 22
Mercury:20 Virgo 54
Venus:27 Libra 56
Mars:09 Cancer 39
Jupiter:20 Gemini 49
Saturn:15 Pisces 02 Rx
Uranus:27 Taurus 06 Rx
Neptune:28 Pisces 30 Rx
Pluto:29 Capricorn 45 Rx

True Lunar Node:06 Aries 38
Mean Lunar Node:06 Aries 53 Rx

Lilith (Black Moon):09 Libra 18

Chiron:22 Aries 15 Rx
Ceres:09 Capricorn 24
Pallas:03 Sagittarius 59
Juno:14 Libra 47
Vesta:12 Virgo 59

Eris:25 Aries 11 Rx

Fire:5
Earth:7
Air:4
Water:3
Cardinal:10
Fixed:2
Mutable:7

Easter Island, Chile

21 September 2024
06:00 pm GMT 12:00 PM EAST
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:29 Virgo 14
Moon:20 Taurus 12
Mercury:21 Virgo 31
Venus:28 Libra 21
Mars:09 Cancer 51
Jupiter:20 Gemini 50
Saturn:15 Pisces 00 Rx
Uranus:27 Taurus 05 Rx
Neptune:28 Pisces 30 Rx
Pluto:29 Capricorn 44 Rx

True Lunar Node:06 Aries 38
Mean Lunar Node:06 Aries 51 Rx

Lilith (Black Moon):09 Libra 21

Chiron:22 Aries 14 Rx
Ceres:09 Capricorn 27
Pallas:04 Sagittarius 06
Juno:14 Libra 54
Vesta:13 Virgo 09

Eris:25 Aries 11 Rx

Fire:5
Earth:7
Air:4
Water:3
Cardinal:10
Fixed:2
Mutable:7

September 20, 2024 Current Moon Phase and Planetary Positions for the Northern Hemispheres

Source: nineplanets.org

The current moon phase for September 20th, 2024 is the Waning Gibbous phase.

On this day, the moon is 16.65 days old and 95.13% illuminated with a tilt of -71.143°. The approximate distance from Earth to the moon is 359,036.26 km and the moon sign is Aries.

The Moon phase for September 20th, 2024 is a Waning Gibbous phase. This is the first phase after the Full Moon where the illumination of the moon decreases each day until it reaches 50% (the Last Quarter phase).

The waning (shrinking) gibbous Moon will rise after sunset in the east, transit the meridian after midnight, before setting after sunrise in the west.

During this phase, the illumination of the moon will go down from 99.% to 50.1%. Technically, the phase starts as soon as the Full Moon has passed, but it can be difficult to calculate and differentiate the first stage of a Waning Gibbous Moon from a Full Moon when 98-99% of the Moon’s surface is illuminated.

Fun fact: the word Gibbous was first used in the 14th century and comes from the latin word gibbosus which means humpbacked.

Phase Details

Phase: Waning Gibbous

Moon age: 16.65 days

Moon illumination: 95.13%

Moon tilt: -71.143°

Moon angle: 0.55

Moon distance: 359,036.26 km

Moon sign: Aries

Source: currentplanetarypositions.com

London, England

20 September 2024
11:00 am GMT 12:00 PM BST
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:27 Virgo 58
Moon:01 Taurus 13
Mercury:19 Virgo 07
Venus:26 Libra 46
Mars:09 Cancer 07
Jupiter:20 Gemini 45
Saturn:15 Pisces 06 Rx
Uranus:27 Taurus 07 Rx
Neptune:28 Pisces 32 Rx
Pluto:29 Capricorn 45 Rx

True Lunar Node:06 Aries 37
Mean Lunar Node:06 Aries 56 Rx

Lilith (Black Moon):09 Libra 12

Chiron:22 Aries 17 Rx
Ceres:09 Capricorn 16
Pallas:03 Sagittarius 41
Juno:14 Libra 26
Vesta:12 Virgo 32

Eris:25 Aries 12 Rx

Fire:5
Earth:7
Air:4
Water:3
Cardinal:10
Fixed:2
Mutable:7

Chicago, Illinois

September 20, 2024
05:00 pm GMT 12:00 PM CDT
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:28 Virgo 13
Moon:04 Taurus 56
Mercury:19 Virgo 35
Venus:27 Libra 05
Mars:09 Cancer 16
Jupiter:20 Gemini 46
Saturn:15 Pisces 05 Rx
Uranus:27 Taurus 06 Rx
Neptune:28 Pisces 31 Rx
Pluto:29 Capricorn 45 Rx

True Lunar Node:06 Aries 38
Mean Lunar Node:06 Aries 55 Rx

Lilith (Black Moon):09 Libra 14

Chiron:22 Aries 16 Rx
Ceres:09 Capricorn 18
Pallas:03 Sagittarius 46
Juno:14 Libra 32
Vesta:12 Virgo 39

Eris:25 Aries 12 Rx

Fire:5
Earth:7
Air:4
Water:3
Cardinal:10
Fixed:2
Mutable:7

Los Angels, California

September 20, 2024
07:00 pm GMT 12:00 PM PDT
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:28 Virgo 18
Moon:06 Taurus 10
Mercury:19 Virgo 44
Venus:27 Libra 11
Mars:09 Cancer 19
Jupiter:20 Gemini 46
Saturn:15 Pisces 05 Rx
Uranus:27 Taurus 06 Rx
Neptune:28 Pisces 31 Rx
Pluto:29 Capricorn 45 Rx

True Lunar Node:06 Aries 38
Mean Lunar Node:06 Aries 55 Rx

Lilith (Black Moon):09 Libra 14

Chiron:22 Aries 16 Rx
Ceres:09 Capricorn 19
Pallas:03 Sagittarius 47
Juno:14 Libra 34
Vesta:12 Virgo 41

Eris:25 Aries 12 Rx

Fire:5
Earth:7
Air:4
Water:3
Cardinal:10
Fixed:2
Mutable:7

September 20, 2024 Daily Horoscopes

Click here to read Georgia Nicols Daily, Weekly and Monthly Horoscopes

Click here for Anyone’s Birthday or Daily or Monthly Horoscopes Source: thehoroscope.co

Moon Alert

Avoid shopping or important decisions from 4 AM to 5:30 AM EDT today (1 AM to 2:30 AM PDT). After that, the Moon moves from Aries into Taurus.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

This is a tricky day. You might feel unsure of your dealings at work. Information might be incorrect. Someone might deceive you. Nevertheless, when it comes to financial matters related to home and family, you are much more confident. It is what it is.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Today the Moon is in your sign dancing nicely with Mercury, which makes you feel emotionally invigorated and mentally alert. Nevertheless, issues related to romance, social outings, dealing with children and anything to do with sports might be confusing even demoralizing. Stay strong. You’re okay.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

There are different influences impacting you today. Privately, you feel strong. In fact, you feel enthusiastic about life. However, relations with parents or authority figures (including the police) could be confusing. Perhaps you’re not sure how to act or react? Don’t let yourself be bullied by anyone.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

Although your dealings with friends and members of groups are upbeat and positive today; nevertheless, a communication from someone, or news, or some other input might give you feelings of self-doubt. You might second-guess yourself. Don’t give in to this.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

You make a great impression on others today. People see you as vigourous and intellectually alive! Nevertheless, there’s a strong possibility of confusion (and deceit) with financial matters. Pay attention to invoices and bills. Get your receipts. Protect your assets.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

You have a strong desire to explore other realms and do something different today. (At least, you would like to talk to interesting people and learn something new.) Meanwhile, even though the Sun is in your sign today, it is opposed by Neptune, which can make you feel fatigued or uncertain. Tread carefully.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

This is a good time for you to buy wardrobe goodies. It’s also an excellent time to have discussions about shared property, shared assets, taxes, debt and the wealth and resources of your partner or someone else. However, something related to your health or your job might confuse you. This is temporary.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

This is a curious day because even though conversations with partners and close friends will be lively and interactive; nevertheless, conversations with groups, romantic partners or kids might be confusing, even demoralizing. Go figure. Cope as best you can.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Conversations with parents, bosses, authority figures and the police are subject to confusion and possible dishonesty. (If you suspect something fishy is going on, it is!) Agree to nothing important if you feel hesitant. Meanwhile, relations with your kids, romantic partners and spouses are strong.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

This is a great day to socialize with others. Enjoy sports events, fun outings, activities with children and anything to do with the arts. However, a conversation with someone might confuse or even demoralize you. Don’t let this happen. Believe in yourself and your abilities. Don’t fall prey to the negativity of others.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Be careful with financial decisions today. In fact, postpone important financial decisions for a later date. Confusion, misinformation and lies might cost you money today. Perhaps you don’t have the facts? Perhaps your facts are wrong? Instead focus on home improvements and family matters.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Without question, interactions with partners and close friends are confusing today. You might feel disappointed, hurt, demoralized. There could be a misunderstanding. Fortunately, relations with your kids and romantic partners are strong and clear. Don’t let anyone make you a victim today. Stand up for yourself.

If Your Birthday Is Today

Actress Sofia Loren (1934) shares your birthday today. You are passionate and intense; yet, always charming and outgoing. This is the beginning of a new cycle for you – a time of new beginnings, adventures and major changes in your life. Be alert for new opportunities and be ready to act. Prepared to take on a leadership role.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

t seems that you are going to burst open with all the frustrations you have accumulated to far and it will be very little anyone or you can do to prevent this.

The only thing you might be able to temper to an extent would be the intensity of your rage or the subjects you are going to tackle in this dramatic display but it will all depend in the end by the trigger.

You can also read this special Aries Daily Horoscope.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

It appears like this Friday is going to be more about fun than work and more about talking to people about anything but work.

Interesting auspices, especially for those natives who have yet to unravel how sociable and charming they actually are, to their work colleagues. Interesting to see the reactions around to this, though.

You can also read this special Taurus Daily Horoscope.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

Don’t you even dare set too many things on your to do list today because the stars are going to consider it a challenge and will do what is best in their powers to prevent you from actually accomplishing those activities.

This is going to be quite a difficult day in terms of work but at the same time it seems your mind will relax a bit as the afternoon sets in.

You can also read this special Gemini Daily Horoscope.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

This Friday will be all about cooperation and how you perceive working with others. Whether the actual work will lead to the results you are expecting or not, it is something you will discover yourself, but the auspices don’t look bad in this regard either.

What should actually be the highlight of the day is the reflection you should get from all that is happening.

You can also read this special Cancer Daily Horoscope.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

This is going to be a learning day, whether you are still in school or not. Something or someone will give you a lesson and you will have to patiently listen to it.

It is probably up to you whether you will take something from it or not but the general idea is that you can’t really escape the consequences triggered by what you are doing.

You can also read this special Leo Daily Horoscope.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

The more you are trying to capture the attention of your partner this Friday, the harder it will be.

Whether the situation is a bit on rocks due to something that happened in the past or you are just being overly sensitive to a situation that is actually very mundane with your partner just being very busy, the result might be another conflict out of nothing.

You can also read this special Virgo Daily Horoscope.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

You will be somewhat invited to think on the long term this Friday and to take some decisions that will influence you later on.

It is going to be as hard as you can’t really see those changes now and you don’t really know how to imagine them in the future either. It is a highly personal decision though so you will have to take it on your own.

You can also read this special Libra Daily Horoscope.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Regardless of what is the purpose of your plans and no matter how altruistic they might be, this is going to be a difficult day and you will struggle to see things to completion.

What can leave you breathe easily is the fact that the roadblocks you’ll meet don’t really have anything to do with you so there is no need to blame yourself.

You can also read this special Scorpio Daily Horoscope.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

It seems like a new situation shows up in your personal life and you are trying your best to come to grips with it.

The more personal you perceive that to be, the longer you will need to accommodate. Other than that, work will keep you busy for the fair share of the day so at least you will have some time to breath with that.

You can also read this special Sagittarius Daily Horoscope.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

It appears that this Friday is going to unveil a creative side in you that is usually buried deep, deep underneath many layers of caution and self awareness.

You might even get the chance to leave your thoughts run free and who knows that interesting plans and even actual actions are going to surface out of this.

You can also read this special Capricorn Daily Horoscope.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

You might want to be very careful with your health this Friday because things have been adding up and no matter how much you are trying to cheat yourself with half healthy habits, you either do the whole things or you don’t do it at all.

Avoiding excesses might not work anymore so you kind of have to think of more radical strategies.

You can also read this special Aquarius Daily Horoscope.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

It appears like the stars are counting on you and offer you their helping hand in your endeavors but you need to be very careful because this is surely not granted.

Therefore, at the slightest sign of derailing or of changing your objective, you might risk falling out of their favor and this probably translates into a lot more hard work than now.

You can also read this special Pisces Daily Horoscope.

Mabon Lore and Traditions | Rituals | Child Activities | Recipes

Sabbat Lore and Traditions

Date: September 20th – 23rd, depending on the year

Other Names: Atumn Equinox, 2nd Harvest

Pronunciations: MAY-bun, MAY-bon, MAH-boon, MAH-bawn

The Autumn Equinox divides the day and night equally, and we all take a moment to pay our respects to the impending dark. We also give thanks to the waning sunlight, as we store our harvest of this year’s crops. The Druids call this celebration, Mea’n Fo’mhair, and honor the The Green Man, the God of the Forest, by offering libations to trees. Offerings of ciders, wines, herbs and fertilizer are appropriate at this time. Wiccans celebrate the aging Goddess as she passes from Mother to Crone, and her consort the God as he prepares for death and re-birth.

Various other names for this Lesser Wiccan Sabbat are The Second Harvest Festival, Wine Harvest, Feast of Avalon, Equinozio di Autunno (Strega), Alben Elfed (Caledonii), or Cornucopia. The Teutonic name, Winter Finding, spans a period of time from the Sabbat to Oct. 15th, Winter’s Night, which is the Norse New Year.

At this festival it is appropriate to wear all of your finery and dine and celebrate in a lavish setting. It is the drawing to and of family as we prepare for the winding down of the year at Samhain. It is a time to finish old business as we ready for a period of rest, relaxation, and reflection.

Mabon is considered a time of the Mysteries. It is a time to honor Aging Deities and the Spirit World. Considered a time of balance, it is when we stop and relax and enjoy the fruits of our personal harvests, whether they be from toiling in our gardens, working at our jobs, raising our families, or just coping with the hussle-bussle of everyday life. May your Mabon be memorable, and your hearts and spirits be filled to overflowing!

Deities: Goddesses – Modron, Morgan, Epona, Persephone, Pamona and the Muses. Gods – Mabon, Thoth, Thor, Hermes, and The Green Man

Symbolism: Second Harvest, the Mysteries, Equality and Balance

Symbols: wine, gourds, pine cones, acorns, grains, corn, apples, pomegranates, vines such as ivy, dried seeds, and horns of plenty

Colors: Red, orange, russet, maroon, brown, and gold

Herbs: Acorn, benzoin, ferns, grains, honeysuckle, marigold, milkweed, myrrh, passionflower, rose, sage, solomon’s seal, tobacco, thistle, and vegetables

Traditional Foods: Breads, nuts, apples, pomegranates, and vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and onions

Incense: Autumn Blend-benzoin, myrrh, and sage

Stones: Sapphire, lapis lazuli, and yellow agates

Ritual

Tools & Instruments

  • Red Altar Cloth
  • Wicker Basket
  • Red Apple
  • Assorted Fruits and Vegetables of the Second Harvest (Berries, Squash, Corn, etc)
  • A Bell
  • A Fallen Tree Branch
  • A Boline
  • A Sprig or Two of Ivy
  • An Autumn Blend Incense
  • Personal items

Preparation: Click here to read the rest of this article about Mabon Lore and Traditions | Rituals | Child Activities | Recipes