Category: Daily Posts

Natural Oestara Eggs

Natural Oestara Eggs

by Ariadne

Natural egg-dying is like recycling. It takes a li’l bit longer to do, but gives you that Oh-Im-soooooo-WC (witchly correct) feeling.

Cover your plant material (see list below) with about 3 inches of water, bring to a boil, and simmer until the color looks good. You’ll probably have to let the eggs sit in the dye overnight, so if you’re planning more than one color per egg, start this a few days before Oestara. Experimenting is half the fun, but here are some hints to get you started:

Yellows- daffodil petals, saffron, turmeric, onion skins Blues- blueberries, red cabbage leaves & vinegar Greens-broccoli, coltsfoot Pinks- cochineal, madder root Browns – walnut shells, tea, coffee

Wanna get fancy? Gather some small leaves, ferns, flowers and grasses. Dip them in water (to help them stick) and press them onto your eggs. Wrap each egg in a piece of cut up pantyhose and secure it with a twist tie before dyeing. When you remove the flower or leaf, it’s design will appear (either in white or in your first dye-color). Rub your finished eggs with a tiny bit of vegetable oil on a soft cloth to shine them.

Too hard?? No hosiery??? Okay, try using crayons to draw spirals and pentagrams on the eggs before dying them.

Now, plan a fertility ritual for your garden. Bury an Oestara egg in the east corner of your garden, or one egg for each direction, or dig an entire circle for them (depends on how much you hate egg-salad).

 

Source:

Ostara Lore

Researched and Compiled by StormWing

Ostara Lore

Ostara Lore

 

Ostara (pronounced “O-STAR-ah”) is one of the Lesser Wiccan Sabbats and is celebrated on the Spring Equinox, most often March 21st, but varies somewhat from the 20th to the 23rd. The variance, as with all Solar festivals, is due to the differences between the actual astronomical event and our calendar, so be sure to check the calendar each year.

Other names this Sabbat is also called by are the Vernal Equinox or the Spring Equinox, Oestara, Eostre’s Day, Rite of Eostre, Equinozio della Primavera (Aridian Strega), Alban Eiber (Caledonii Tradition or the Druids), Bacchanalia, Festival of the Trees, and Lady Day. Christians celebrate their holiday – Easter – near this same time and it is based on basically the same principles as ours in the Old Religion. Easter is actually determined in a very Pagan manner… it is always the first Sunday after the first Full Moon after the Spring Equinox.

This Sabbat is a time to celebrate the arrival of Spring, when light and darkness are in balance but the light is growing stronger. The forces of masculine energy and feminine energy are also in balance and this day marks paves the way for the coming lushness of Summer. Ostara is a time for the celebration of fertility and balance, a time when all elements within and without us are brought into harmony. A time of new life and rebirth, as well as the end of Winter.

Symbols used to represent Ostara include the egg (for fertility and reproduction) and the hare (for rebirth and resurrection), the New Moon, butterflies and cocoons. Symbolically, many Pagans choose to represent Ostara by the planting of seeds, potted plants, ringing bells, lighting new fires at sunrise, either in the fireplace (if the weather us still cold enough), in the the cauldron, or light a balefire (if outdoors). I always give myself a gift of a newly potted plant or take a seed and plant it within my cast Circle. Ritually, a fire may be lit in the cauldron during (not before) the rite itself. You may want to decorate your altar with a colorful bouquet of Spring wildflowers. Other traditional activities include working on magickal gardens and practicing all forms of herbal work — magickal, artistic, medicinal, culinary, and cosmetic.

Here is a traditional Vernal Equinox pastime according to Scott Cunningham: go to a field and randomly collect wildflowers. Thank the flowers for their sacrifice before picking them and it is also best to leave an offering to the plant and/or the Earth for taking the flowers, such as some milk and honey, a small crystal or even a coin. Or, buy some from a florist, taking one or two of those that appeal to you. Then bring them home and divine their magickal meanings by the use of books, your own intuition, a pendulum or by other means. The flowers you’ve chosen reveal your inner thoughts and emotions. A particular suggestion from Scott Cunningham that I really enjoy each year is to do the following… at this time in the turn of the Wheel of the Year, when all things are green and renewed life is all around us, it is a very good idea to plan a walk (or a ride) through gardens, a park, woodlands, forest and other green places. This is not simply for exercise, and you should be on no other mission. It isn’t even just an appreciation of Nature. You should make your walk celebratory, a ritual for Nature itself. Other Pagan activities may include the planting of your herb and/or vegetable garden.

Another very popular Ostara activity is decorating and coloring or dying hard-boiled eggs – or other eggs such as wooden or paper mache (I call them “Ostara Eggs”), and drawing Pagan and magickal symbols on the colored eggs. You could then choose to either keep the eggs, bury them in the Earth or cast them into a fire as offerings to the Goddess – the choice is yours. If I use hard- boiled eggs, I usually bury them in the Earth when the ritual is over, but – alternately – here is my personal choice… I usually make my eggs from the paper mache ones (the cost factor comes in to play here, they are a LOT cheaper than the wooden ones, but the wooden ones are much smoother). I buy them at the local craft store (such as Hobby Lobby). These eggs can be reused next year and you can even add new ones to the old, if you like. The first thing I do is paint them each a different color – whatever shade strikes me – whether it be dull, bright, pastel, or primary. Then I use gold and silver paint pens to draw Pagan designs and magicakl symbols all over them. You may opt to use other color combinations. It is entirely up to your personal choice. I have one egg that is totally covered with interconnected triangles (Triple Goddess), a couple with pentagrams and God and Goddess symbols, some with words written in Theban script, etc. Just let your imagination take you there – it’s a lot of fun!

Appropriate Deities for Ostara include all Youthful and Virile Gods and Goddesses, Sun Gods, Mother Goddesses, Love Goddesses, Moon Gods and Goddesses, and all Fertility Deities. Some Ostara Deities to mention by name here include Persephone, Blodeuwedd, Eostre, Aphrodite, Athena, Cybele, Gaia, Hera, Isis, Ishtar, Minerva, Venus, Robin of the Woods, the Green Man, Cernunnos, Lord of the Greenwood, The Dagda, Attis, The Great Horned God, Mithras, Odin, Thoth, Osiris, and Pan.

Key actions to keep in mind during this time in the Wheel of the Year include openings and new beginnings. Spellwork for improving communication and group interaction are recommended, as well as fertility and abundance. Ostara is a good time to start putting those plans and preparations you made at Imbolc into action. Start working towards physically manifesting your plans now. The most common colors associated with Ostara are lemon yellow, pale green and pale pink. However, also appropriate colors include grass green, all pastels, Robin’s egg blue, violet, and white. Stones to use during the Ostara celebration include aquamarine, rose quartz, and moonstone. Animals associated with Ostara are rabbits and snakes. Mythical beasts associated with Ostara include unicorns, merpeople, and pegasus. Plants and herbs associated with Ostara are crocus flowers, daffodils, jasmine, Irish moss, snowdrops, and ginger. For Ostara incense, you could make a blend from any of the following scents or simply choose one… jasmine, frankincense, myrrh, dragon’s blood, cinnamon, nutmeg, aloes wood, benzoin, musk, African violet, sage, strawberry, lotus, violet flowers, orange peel, or rose petals.

Foods in tune with this day (linking your meals with the seasons is a fine way of attuning with Nature) include eggs, egg salad, hard-boiled eggs, honey cakes, first fruits of the season, fish, cakes, biscuits, cheeses, honey and ham. You may also include foods made of seeds, such as sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds, as well as pine nuts. Sprouts are equally appropriate, as are leafy, green vegetables. From Scott Cunningham: flower dishes such as stuffed nasturtiums or carnation cupcakes also find their place here. (Find a book of flower cooking or simply make spice cupcakes. Ice with pink frosting and place a fresh carnation petal on each cupcake. Stuff nasturtium blossoms with a mixture made of cream cheese, chopped nuts, chives and watercress.) Appropriate Ostara meat dishes should contain fish or ham.

May the Lord and Lady bless you all with fertility, abundance, success, and all things new!

 

Source:

Ostara Lore

Researched and Compiled by StormWing

Humor for the Day – ‘Circle Etiquette’

Circle Etiquette

 

Never summon Anything you can’t banish.

Never put asafetida on the rocks in the sweat lodge.

Do not attempt to walk more than 10 paces while wearing all of your ritual jewelry, dream bags and crystals at the same time.

When proposing to initiate someone, do not mention the Great Rite, leer, and say, “Hey, your trad or mine?”

Never laugh at someone who is skyclad. They can see you, too.

Never, ever set the Witch on fire.

Looking at nifty pictures is not a valid path to mastering the ancient grimoires. Please read thoroughly and carefully from beginning to end so that your madness and gibberings will at least make some sense.

A good grasp of ritual and ritual techniques are essential! In the event of a random impaling, or other accidental death amongst the participants, (see next rule) a quick thinker can improvise to ensure successful completion of the Rite. Make them another sacrifice, Demons like those.

Watch where you wave the sharp pointy items.

Avoid walking through disembodied spirits.

Carry an all purpose translators dictionary in case the ritual leader begins talking in some strange and unknown language.

Avoid joining your life force to anything with glowing red eyes.

If asked to sign a contract or pact and you are experiencing doubts or reservations, sign your neighbors name. Malevolent entities rarely ask for photo ID.

Blood is thicker than water. Soak ritual garments an extra 30-45 minutes.

While drunken weaving may be mistaken for ecstatic dancing, slurring the names of Deities is generally considered bad form.

 

Source:

The Cauldron

Daily Feng Shui Tip for March 19th – ‘Saint Joseph’s Day’

Today is ‘Saint Joseph’s Day’ and I’m reminded of the many anecdotes regarding people having real estate success by calling on him. The legend goes that burying a statue of Saint Joseph upside down in the front yard will unearth a new buyer, resulting in a satisfying sales contract. If you’re currently trying to sell real estate and think you can use a cosmic assist, go ahead bury a small statue of St. Joseph head down in the ‘Helpful People’ area (front right-hand corner of your yard) and then keep the faith. Can I get an Amen?

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Your Charm for March 19th is Taurus The Bull

Your Charm for Today

Taurus The Bull

 

Today’s Meaning:   

This aspect of your life will be strongly influenced by a person who is patient, reliable, warmhearted, loving, persistent, determined, placid and security loving. This is a person you respect.

General Description:

Second sign of the Zodiac, April 21st to May 22nd. Ruling planet Venus; correct metal Copper. Those born under Taurus were thought to be endowed with mental and physical strength, strong minded, clever, fearless and emotional. The correct Taurus gem is the Sapphire. The sapphire is of a deep blue color, and the darker the blue the greater its value. The ancients wore Sapphire charms for protection from poison, plague, fever, diseases of the skin, and to bring peace and happiness upon its wearer. The eyes were rubbed by a Sapphire to preserve them from injury by smallpox. King Solomon’s seal is said to have been a Sapphire

Your Animal Spirit for March 19th is The Coyote

Your Animal Spirit for Today

Coyote

Taking yourself too seriously? If you are, Coyote will throw a banana peel in your tracks just to see you take a silly spill. Coyote medicine is Trickster medicine—the practical joker, the chaos maker. If Coyote appeared in your reading today, be ready for a curveball thrown in your direction. Remember, though, Coyote uses the bizarre to help us learn lessons we just can’t seem to get any other way.

Your Ancient Symbol Card for March 19th is The Golden Egg

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

The Golden Egg

The Golden Egg denotes the opportunity for substantial material gains. However, the Golden Egg is also a reminder that unmanaged greed ensures what gains are made will be lost.

As a daily card, The Golden Egg suggest that the prospects for you to increase your financial wealth are very strong today. Seize whatever opportunities come your way, but don’t ride them too long or you may find yourself no better off than you were before they came along.

Today’s Tarot Card for March 19th is The Moon

The Moon

Wednesday, Mar 19th, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What has traditionally been known as the Moon card refers to a deep state of sensitivity and imaginative impressionability, developed within a womb of deep relaxation. Here we dream and go into trance, have visions and receive insights, wash in and out with the psychic tides, and experience deep mystical and/or terrifying realities beyond our ordinary senses. The full moon and/or eclipse cycle charted by the Magi (as in some of the earliest Moon card images) exemplify this as a mechanism that Nature uses to expand consciousness.

The variants of the courtly lovers (representing skillful use of the sex force) or the man sleeping it off under the tree (use of drugs to alter consciousness) are also traditional avenues for tapping this primal force. Human interest in higher states propels us to the frontiers of consciousness, where we cannot always control what happens. The Moon card represents the ultimate test of a soul’s integrity, where the membrane between self and the Unknown is removed, and the drop of individuality reenters the Ocean of Being. What transpires next is between a soul and its Maker.

Daily Horoscopes for Wednesday, March 19th

We may still be dreaming about doing something radically new and different as we feel the lingering effects of yesterday’s alignment between attractive Venus and eccentric Uranus. The reflective Moon enters passionate Scorpio at 5:13 am EDT, urging us to resist unnecessary distractions from our more meaningful goals. However, the Moon forms a harmonious trine to imaginative Neptune this afternoon, once again firing up our escapist fantasies.

Aries Horoscope

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You aren’t interested in small talk today because you are more intrigued by people’s hidden agendas rather than what appears on the surface. Although words come to you easily now, you might want to avoid using too many of them because they could dissipate your energy. Don’t let anyone lure you into a philosophical discussion; however, fascinating it may be — unless the topic furthers your search for truth. Expand your horizons and deepen your understanding of what’s happening in your world while you have the chance.

Taurus Horoscope

(Apr 20 – May 20)

You might have to respond to a surprising change of circumstances today but, fortunately, you see this unexpected twist of fate in a positive light. You have sufficient stamina to deal with nearly anything that crosses your path, along with an intuitive sense to know when to be patient. Trust your gut reactions and don’t let analysis override your feelings. Rely on your heart instead of your brain for the best outcome now.

Gemini Horoscope

(May 21 – Jun 20)

Although you like to have a plan in place, you often reserve the right to change your mind up to the very last moment. Sometimes coworkers don’t understand your reasons for modifying your priorities, but there’s almost always sound logic to your thinking. Nevertheless, make certain that you’re not just taking the easy way out now. If your new and improved strategy is really better, there’s no reason to hesitate or waste time justifying your actions to everyone else. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone but yourself.

Cancer Horoscope

(Jun 21 – Jul 22)

You may startle yourself today because of your sudden willingness to take a risk. However, gambling on a sure thing might be a smart move, even if others attempt to convince you that you’re making a mistake. Unfortunately, inaction could carry a different type of consequences. The fear of personal failure isn’t as motivational as the possible regret of not trying at all. Overcome your internal resistance and follow your heart.

Leo Horoscope

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You may uncover previously untapped resources today if you’re willing to fully commit to a single goal. However, it’s necessary to move beyond your doubts and acknowledge that you are serious about what you want. If you’re unsure of your objectives, it’s wiser to wait a day or two so you can sort things out. In the meantime, don’t be afraid to stubbornly hold your ground, even if you feel a big change is looming just around the corner. Only you will know when the time is right.

Virgo Horoscope

(Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Choosing whether or not to go ahead with your plans is tricky because the pros and cons are pretty evenly balanced now. However, if you finally decide against pushing ahead today, you could surprise yourself by impulsively taking the next step anyway. Exercise reasonable caution; if you initiate action prematurely, you might just have to start all over next week. Doing a bit more research is a better use of your time and energy.

Libra Horoscope

(Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Upsetting the status quo isn’t normally your favorite thing to do, but you might actually reconsider a radical idea that inspires you today. You are intrigued by strategies to spice up a relationship that has become entrenched in routine. Unfortunately, you’ll never know if they work if you don’t try them at least once. Think outside of the box; you can always return to your old ways if your new approach doesn’t work out.

Scorpio Horoscope

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

A creative strategy to solving a problem could lead to success on the job or, at least, recognition by your coworkers. This feels like an exciting time, but you must establish a steady and sustainable pace to make the most of it. Although you’re full of bright ideas now, it isn’t helpful to make a one-time big splash. Save your flashy presentations for some other day; instead, impress others by demonstrating your ability to complete whatever you start.

Sagittarius Horoscope

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

You might be able to get away with mischievous behavior today because others are likely to admire your edgy attitude. The Sun’s last day in imaginative Pisces allows your philosophical nature to shine through for everyone to see. Thankfully, your willingness to risk your stability to do things your way shows your intent to succeed without sacrificing your integrity. You can still be a nonconformist while doing what’s right.

Capricorn Horoscope

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You’re riding a growing wave of emotions that is motivating you to take action today. However, it may be smarter to slow down now or you could squander a rare opportunity to share your success. Being an inspirational leader can be challenging if you’re too eager to reach your destination. Don’t just race ahead of those who should be following you; instead, set a pace that allows everyone to be a part of the process.

Aquarius Horoscope

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Hiding your intentions from others is nearly impossible today with the emotional Moon’s presence in your 10th House of Status. Even if you think it’s a good idea to keep your feelings quiet, a surprising turn of events may require you to think on your feet while including others in your decision-making process. Sharing your dreams requires courage; however, exposing your vulnerability now removes unnecessary boundaries between you and your peers, cultivating an atmosphere of mutual admiration and respect.

Pisces Horoscope

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Even if your feelings make total sense to you now, there still might be trouble if you tell someone what you really want. A misunderstanding could occur if you become so enthusiastic about your current strategy that you just bounce from one thought to another. A better approach is to work quietly toward your goals today while waiting to share your overall plan until you develop it further. Give yourself some time to breathe and others will be more eager to support your endeavors

Daily Cosmic Calendar for March 19th

The Moon entering the fixed, water sign of Scorpio (2:14AM) each month points you in the direction of becoming an amateur detective. Don your Sherlock Holmes disguise and solve personal mysteries while ferreting out family secrets. Getting to the bottom of things is a key trait of this segment of the zodiac. Mother Nature beckons in one fashion or another as the Moon embraces the largest asteroid Ceres (3:06AM). Take a good look at your dietary and nutritional needs. Strive to be highly productive in your main fields of expertise.  While much of today reveals a favorable vibration, the insurance, safety, security and investment fronts take a drubbing around the time when the Sun forms an off-kilter, 150-degree tie with Vesta (4:10AM). The good news picks up the pace shortly thereafter as a grand triangle in water signs lifts your spirits. The Moon in Scorpio first trines Mercury and Neptune in Pisces (5:42AM and 1:11PM, respectively) and then moves on to trine Jupiter in Cancer (9:58PM). Tune into the deeper levels of your spiritual awareness by utilizing the electro-magnetic qualities of this potent geometrical form in the heavens.  It is also appropriate to reflect on the last month — as well as the last 12 months — of your life, with the gains and losses, opportunities received and challenges met, as tomorrow sees the Sun entering Aries, a sacred turning point of the calendar year and the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. [Note to readers: All times are calculated for Pacific Daylight Time. Be sure to adjust all times according to your own local time so the alignments noted above will be exact for your location.]

Current Moon Phase for March 19th – Full Moon

Full Moon

(waning/80% of illumination)

A veil of self-absorption is lifted and suddenly you gain access to an unbiased view of others. This is a rare moment when you can see yourself objectively and become aware of whether or not what you want in your heart is actually beginning to manifest in your life. Traditionally, the Full Moon phase stirs emotion, and this is because when you “see” what is happening, you may become upset if you’re experiencing the “same ole, same ole” — rather than the things you would like. If the Full Moon phase is a disappointment, on the next New Moon it’s time to take creative action in the direction of your dreams.

Spring Invocation to Persephone

 

Spring Invocation to Persephone

by Elizabeth Barrette

 

Come, Persephone,
With your paint-pots and brushes:
Stipple the fields with flowers,
Dot the branches with bright blossoms
Streak the Spring sky with pale pastels.
You are the one who paints the eyes on the pansies,
And the lines on the lilies so the bees can find their food,
And the blushes on the rosebuds.
Without you,
The bearded iris would have no smile
And the black-eyed susan would be blind.
Come, Persephone:
The world has rested too long
Under Winter’s snowy cloak.
Come bring your brushes and bright colors
And dress us in the shades of Spring again.
We invoke you, gracious maiden of freedom and beauty:
 
 So Mote It Be

 

An Example of an Ostara Ritual

An Example of an Ostara Ritual

This Ritual shall be performed either in the morning, at Dawn, or during the day sometime, or during the early evening hours, just after Sunset. Sweep area, starting in the North and moving deosil, with your magickal broom to cleanse the Circle area and “sweep away” any lingering negative energies. Set up the Quarter candles (North-Green, East-Yellow, South-Red,

 

West-Blue) and/or other items symbolizing the elements at the Four Quarters. Set up your altar as desired, and face it to the North, covering it with a white, light green, lemon yellow or a pale pink altar cloth. For this ceremony, decorate the altar with Springtime flowers of any color (silk are acceptable), along with a Spring basket filled with brightly-colored Pagan Ostara Eggs. Along with your usual ritual tools and items, have upon the altar:

White, Light Green, Lemon Yellow or a Pale Pink Altar Cloth

Spring Basket filled with Brightly-colored Pagan Ostara Eggs

Spring Flowers (for decoration)

A New Plant or a Seed or Seedling to be planted within your cast Circle –
you will also need some soil and a pot (as a Spring gift to yourself)

Pen and Paper (for writing out your desires for the coming year)

Cauldron for Burning the “Seed” Papers in (light each one from the Fire candle)

A Bell

Ostara Incense – Spring Blend, or Jasmine, Rose, Sage, or Strawberry Sticks

When all is set up, take a shower or bath for purification and don your Ritual Robe or other Ritual attire. Be sure to wear your Magickal jewelry, if you have any. Sit quietly and meditate for a little while – to ground and center. When you feel ready to begin, play some quiet peaceful music for the Ritual.

Cast the Circle… begin the Ostara sabbath Ceremony by sitting quietly for a few moments, then say these words aloud in dedication:

 

“Winter’s bareness has subsided,
from the death of Winter springs new life!
Spring is coming to the land.
The days grow longer, warm breezes begin to stir…
All around me I see signs—
The growing things are beginning anew.
It is a resurrection of the dance of life—
The dance of the stems and stalks
As they push forth from the Earth.
It is the season of creation.
Growth has turned outward.
The land has become fertile again.
The Earth is caressed by the loving touch of the Mother.
Where Her hand passes:
Atoms twine together to create growth.
Buds burst open, leaves and vines unfurl.
She creates a vision of green beauty.
Beauty so breath-taking after the dark solitude of Winter.
It is this vision that we celebrate on Her day of Ostara.
The world recreating itself—
Returning from the death of Winter,
Into the new life of Spring
Through the love of the Lord and the Lady.”
Sit quietly again and reflect on the meaning of the Spring Season for a few moments. When you are ready, pick up your wand and hold it in your power hand, face the North and with your arms outstretched and say:
“The time of change is upon us again –
the Equinox comes, the Wheel turns…
The Wheel of the Year turns on and on,
bringing us all to and from each Season,
and from and to another…
What will be is. What was will be.
All time is here and now in this Sacred Space.
I now pause to watch the Wheel turn,
and cast this Circle on this blessed day/eve.
to celebrate this season of balance known as Ostara, the Vernal Equinox –
the time of new birth and new beginnings.
In this moment between time,
I come to praise the bountiful young Goddess.
and Her son-lover, the Great Horned God of renewal.
for Their blessings of fertility, warmth and life renewed.
I wish to give thanks and feel myself as a part of
the relentlessly turning Wheel of Life, Death, and Rebirth.”
Pause and reflect for a few moments, then continue, saying:
“O Great God of Strength, New Beginnings, and Fertility,
who has been known as Cernunnos, Herne, Pan,
the Great Horned God, and the Lord of the Forests –
Grant me strength, power, and understanding,
throughout this season and always.
O Great Goddess of Love, New Beginnings, and Fertility,
who has been known as Blodeuwedd, Eostre, Astarte, Aphrodite,
and the Maiden Lady of the Moon –
Teach me the secrets of the Mysteries
and the ways of magic.”
Still holding the wand in your power hand, pause and reflect again for a few moments, then say these words:
“Behold, the Lord and Lady of life and the giver of life.
Without Her Lord, the Goddess is barren.
Without His Lady, the God has no life.
Each is needful of the other for completion and power,
as Sun to Earth, the spear to the cauldron,
spirit to flesh, human to human.”
Rap the side of the cauldron lightly with the wand, say:
“O Great Goddess, be with me now.
in your aspect of the Maiden,
the fair one who brings joy and new life.”
Ring the bell once and say:
“O Great God of renewal, be with me now.
in your aspect of the Lord of the Forests,
the Horned God who brings warmth and love.”
Rap the cauldron once more with the wand and say:
“May the strength of the old enter into the new.
Great Lord and Lady, make all things strong
and giving of new life. Blessed be.”
Pick up the burning incense and carry it once more around the Circle deosil. Set it back down and say these words:
“Awake! All creatures in the realm of Earth, awake!
Greet the Maiden and Her Lover,
who herald the coming of Spring.”
At this time, symbolically present yourself with your new Springtime gift – the potted plant (or plant the actual seed or seedling in the soil and then present it to yourself). Say these words:
“As this tiny plant/seed/seedling begins its life anew,
so do I now begin to manifest
my new desires for the coming year.”
Pick up your athame and touch its tip to the paper, and say:
“Now I cast behind me
the darkness of Winter and the past.
I look only to that which lies ahead.
This is the time for me to plant seeds in the
physical, mental, as well as spiritual realms.”
Now write down your desires for the coming year on the slips of paper. Write only one desire on each piece of paper. Fold the papers and hold them up over the altar in offering to the Old Gods. Say these words:
“This is a joyous time, a time for planting.
With joy and trust, I place these requests
in the hands of the Goddess and Her Lord.”
Light the papers afire in the flame of the Fire candle and dropthem one by one into the cauldron to manifest as the Gods see fit. As you do so, say:
“These thought-seeds I do willingly place
into the hands of the Lady and Her Lord,
that these desires and dreams may
manifest and become reality.
By the free will of All, and
with harm to none,
as I will, so shall it be done.”
When you are finished, proceed with the Cakes and Ale Ceremony, followed by Releasing the Circle in
your usual manner.
This Completes the Ostara sabbath Ritual

Please note this ritual is based on the Northern Hemisphere correspondences of elements and their colors, and directions and so on.

Let’s Talk Witch – 8 Ideas for Celebrating Ostara

Let’s Talk Witch – 8 Ideas for Celebrating Ostara

Ostara, the Spring Equinox, is always especially beautiful here in Sonoma County, California. This year seems especially nice. Winter’s rains have been lighter than we would like, but they have been gentle and well timed. My farmer friends with whom I’ve spoken are feeling good. Warming temperatures and longer days have brought forth the first abundant flowers, especially the wild mustard that makes it seem as if our craggy valley oaks and vineyards have their feet awash in bright yellow paint. The threats from frost are virtually over.

Our season and Ostara’s symbolism are in perfect harmony.

Wiccan Sabbats celebrate our Wheel of the Year, and the Wheel of the Year, like the phases of the moon, symbolize to us the stages of life, from birth to death to rebirth. Four Sabbats are “Greater Sabbats” originally linked with Celtic agricultural cycles: Brigit, Beltane, Lammas, and Samhain. The other four “cross quarter” Sabbats are correlated with the cycles of the solar year, the solstices and equinoxes. On the 21st of this month, Witches and many other Pagans will celebrate Ostara, the Spring Equinox.

Equinoxes are times of balance between day and night, light and darkness. But the balance is dynamic, lasting a day, before shifting into playing a role in that greater balance that is the Wheel of the Year. For me this sense of balance should be the dominant theme of either Ostara, or Mabon, the Fall Equinox. But they are very different Sabbats otherwise, for after Ostara the light will continue to grow, whereas after Mabon, it is darkness that increases.

There is another aspect of balance that comes to mind as a am mulling this post over, that between the universal and the concrete. Solar Sabbats are universal, the Greater Sabbats are specific to time and place. Together, they balance the universal with the variety that is local. So while I think it is important to make sure Greater Sabbats are strongly connected with where we live, it is not as important for the Cross Quarter ones.

With these thoughts in mind, I have a few ideas for celebrating Ostara I want to share. All are suitable for Solitaries.

1. On my altar I will have 4 candles. I will light two, and with sundown, light another. I have tried to figure out a simple but visually beautiful way of symbolizing Sabbats and their meaning, and here is my scheme into which this simple observance fits.

Yule – 1 candle lit during ritual.
Imbolc – 1 candle lit, a second during the ritual.
Ostara – 2 candles lit, a third lit at end of ritual or at sunset.
Beltane – 3 candles, one lit during ritual, making 4.
Midsummer – 4 candles, one extinguished at end of ritual.
Lammas – 3 candles, one extinguished during ritual.
Mabon – 2 candles, one extinguished at sunset or end of ritual.
Samhain – 1 candle lit, but extinguished during ritual.

2. I will fill my place with local flowers. I just spoke with a friend in Maine. The garden I helped plant still looks like a snow drift. Maybe the willows are changing their color as the sap tentatively rises, making for a good altar decoration. If not, it’s good that this is a solar Sabbat!

3 I will watch the dawn, and do some invocations and prayers while I do it. Ostara is said to have been a Goddess of the Dawn as well as spring, so this is fitting, although very little is known of Her. If I was in Fairbanks, I might let this slide.

4. In Pagan times eggs and hares were associated with the creation of life and fertility, for obvious reasons. While it seems all folklore of ancient provenance has disputed origins, regardless of how these customs arose and survived, they are perfectly fitted for symbolizing this time, when almost everywhere spring has arrived or is coming soon. Dyeing the eggs in Spring-time colors, and having a good old fashioned Ostara Egg hunt is a wonderful thing for kids.

5. A good smudging, followed by a good airing if the weather permits. Burning sage is the easiest way to smudge a place, though any cleansing incense is worthwhile. Be sure to get corners and dark places. Energy collects and stagnates in those places, and most of us have had all winter for that to happen.

6. Plant a seed associated with a magickal ritual for something you want to grow. Simple and personal is best. Focus your intent strongly on the seed, then on the pot of soil after you have planted it. Take care of it. I’d recommend a perennial, that you can plant and let continue to flourish with your care, but maybe an annual will do the trick. Depends on your project.

7. If you have a yard, this is a good time to begin getting in touch with the spirits of your place. But as with any relationship, it will normally take some time to grow. The last time I lived for any length of time in a house with a yard, I would make weekly offerings in a out of the way part of my yard, that I otherwise left alone (all the rests was garden). I would leave a small glass of rum, some tobacco, and a votive candle (be very careful about fire if you do this). After some months the ‘feel’ of my back yard began to change in ways I and others liked a lot. But remember, attitude makes or breaks this kind of thing – as with all relationships.

8. If there is a public Sabbat celebration, and you are not part of a coven, try and go. Some are well done, some can seem like ‘ritual abuse,’ but either way, this is a good way to begin meeting other local Pagans. In my view the real magic of what we do is most powerful when we work and celebrate together

Source

Information from Beliefnet

Author: Gus diZerega

Blog: A Pagan’s Blog

Celebrating Other Spirituality 365 Days A Year – Quintaria/Quinq uatrus

Celebrating Other Spirituality 365 Days A Year

Quintaria/Quinq uatrus

In Ancient Greece, the day before the Vernal (Spring) Equinox was dedicated to the Goddess Athena. In Rome this was the fifth day after the Ides of March—the start of the five-day festival for the God Mars and the principal festival of the Goddess Minerva. The first day was her birthday and the following four days were devoted to circus games.

Minerva was the Goddess of crafts and trade guilds. She was originally the Etruscan Goddess Menrva and identified with the Greek Goddess Athena. In Rome, Minerva had a temple on the Aventine Hill and another in the Forum of Nerva. Her festivals were held on March 19, June 19 and September 13.

Wednesday Is Ruled By Mercury

Wednesday Is Ruled By Mercury

Archangel: Raphael

Candle colour: Yellow

Incenses: Lavender or fennel

Crystals: Citrine or yellow calcite

Use Wednesdays for spells for money-making ventures, learning new things, passing examinations and tests, house moves and travels, overcoming debt and repelling envy, malice and deceit.

Where possible, work in a windy place or when the clouds are moving fast across the sky.