Ostara 2012

Today, March 20th 2012, is the Spring Equinox often called Ostara (Germanic Goddess of Spring) or Eostre (Saxon version of Ostara). It is the time for celebrating fertility, new life and renewal. The Germanic tribes would celebrated this as the time when Ostara, a lunar goddess, mated with a fertility god (giving birth nine months later to the renewed god at Yule).

Interestingly it is not only the time celebrated by pagans for new life and renewal, but also celebrated by the Jews and Christians. The Jewish Passover feast is celebrated at this time in remembrance of the Angel of Death passing over the Jewish houses in Egypt that painted their doorways with the blood of lambs. Christian Easter is celebrated as the time when Jesus was crucified and rose again.

When is Easter?

The full moon following the vernal (spring) equinox - the same as the feast day of Eostre. All are stories of blood, death and renewal. Despite ardent attempts through two millenias to separate themselves from their pagan  neighbors, Judaism and Christianity follow the flow of nature just like the pagans; exception being the Celts who didn't celebrate Ostara as a holiday.

Where does the myth of the Easter Bunny and Easter Eggs come from?

A popular legend tells that Eostre found a wounded bird laying on the ground. To save it she transformed it into a hare, but it retained the ability to lay eggs. In gratitude the hare would decorate its eggs and leave them as gifts for Eostre.

How do modern pagans celebrate Ostara?

As this is a time when light and dark are equal, celebrate the turning of the Wheel. Start seedlings if danger of severe storms is past and prepare soil for late spring planting. Spend a few moments enjoying the new life beginning around you. Feel the new winds blowing, hear the birds singing and see the plants budding forth with new life.

"In the spring, when night equals day,

time for Ostara to come our way.

When the Sun has reached it's height,

time for Oak and Holly to fight."

- the Wiccan Rede

Imbolc, Candlemas & Winter's End

Imbolc, also known as Bride's Day, or La Fheile Bride (law ayl-uh breej-uh) in Modern Irish, is the celebration of the end of winter. While it was celebrated at the beginning of this month, the focus of this Moon continues. Soon the herd animals so vital to the survival of the Celtic tribes will be born; animals we still depend upon today. This is the time of year for setting protection wards over hearth and home to protect the new borns from disease and welcoming blessings for the new year. During this Moon bring light into your home with candles and celebrate the turning of the Wheel with poetry. Bridgett, the Celtic Goddess celebrated during this time, is the Maiden Goddess of poetry, divination and metal work. Seek inspiration from the changes in nature for your poetry, look ahead with divination to the blessings and challenges of this year, and work to strengthen yourself physically and spiritually as you move forward in life with purpose. A little Greek mythology for this time of year:

Why winter comes and how spring is brought forth

- a story of Demeter, Persephone and Hades

Demeter is the Goddess of the Earth and Persephone her young daughter. Persephone was a maiden with golden hair and supple body, whom Hades fell in love with when he spied her bathing. He lured her into the Underworld with him and took her as his bride. As Demeter searched the world for her daughter the land became cold and the crops withered. This is how winter begins, but a nymph tells Demeter that Hades has Persephone in hopes that Demeter will return the land to spring. Persephone had eaten 6 pomegranate seeds in the Underworld and was so bound to remain with Hades (much like the warnings that to eat in Faeryland will trap you there). As Demeter wept the Earth became cold and lifeless, falling into a deep winter. Seeing that the Earth was becoming bleak like the Underworld, Hades returned Persephone to Demeter, with the promise that 6 months out of the year Persephone would return to the Underworld with him. To celebrate, an altar adorned with six white candles is decorated with fresh spring flowers and a feast of the last ale and wheat of the winter stores is shared.

Thanksgiving Blessings

May your harvest be bountiful and your hunt successful.
May your home be filled with the warmth of love, joy and mirth
during this season of gratitude.

This coming week we Americans will be celebrating Thanksgiving. A day set aside to be grateful for our country, our homes and our families. Holidays can be a stressful time traveling, planning and trying to cook the perfect meal for our loved ones. Remember though that this time is for gratitude, blessings and the harvest. Every last detail doesn't have to be perfect! If the rolls are a little burnt, the turkey dry and the center piece chipped, just laugh it off with your family and friends and be grateful for the laughter.

With refrigerators, grocery stores, freezers and preservatives we often forget the blessings of the harvest and the hunt. This is a time for feasting and celebration as the last harvest is brought in before the harsh winter turns the Earth fully dormant. It is also deer and turkey hunting season to both prepare our families for the winter by smoking and drying meat, and to thin the animal populations so that they won't starve from overpopulation during the cold winter. Life is cyclical and of necessity includes death; the death in the harvest and the death in the hunt. The old is cleared away so that the new may surface again in the Spring. This truth often brings thoughts of loved ones who aren't here to celebrate with us because they have passed. Take a moment to share an uplifting memory of those who have passed, and then let it go. Don't focus on what is gone, but remain in the present. Focus on those around you and the joy of their presence.

Also make time today to think of the people you interact with daily. Do you know what their plans are? Too many spend the holidays alone, forgotten and depressed. The loss of loved ones can be felt strongly at these times, and some can't celebrate with family because they live too far away. Ask others what their plans are. If they're not planning anything, invite them over! Friends and neighbors bless our lives with smiles and their presence each day we see them. Even if someone is less than friendly, the kindness of welcoming them into your home for a meal during a time set aside for gratitude can change a life.

As you cook, add magick to your meal by blessing the herbs before using them. As you knead the bread or stir a dish, add magickal intentions of blessings, health and joy for those who eat it. Place a piece of every item you prepare onto your altar. This is special fair set aside for the gods, fae and spirits to feast upon as a show of your remembrance and gratitude. Have fun adorning your altar with harvest colors - I add spice scented, orange candles, a brown with white embroidered leaf cloth and ceramic pumpkins. Then when all are gathered around the table remember to pause and share a prayer of gratitude before enjoying your meal. Thank the Goddess for her many blessings from the harvest, and thank the God for his many blessings from the hunt - even if your harvest and hunt took place in the grocery store as mine mostly will :)

2011 Samhain Celebrations

Check out the Samhain celebrations being hosted around the U.S. at the links below!

Samhain Festival: The Spirit World
October 28 - 30, 2011at Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, 25 miles west of Madison, Wisconsin

Celebrate Samhain
Saturday, October 22nd, 2011
Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Church, 25 Main St., Peterborough, NH
New England's premier Samhain festival – dedicated to the ancient Celtic celebration of the final harvest and "day of the dead".

Walking In Ancient Footsteps

November 3-6, 2011

Camp Ocala, Altoona, Florida

Welcome to the Forest! Set up camp, commune with nature, relax, visit the vendors, attend workshops, and evening events.

 

The Celtic Arts Center presents Samhain

Sunday, October 30th, 2011

Burbank, California

The story of Halloween and celebration of the Celic New Year through traditional song, dance and story.

 

To see more listings for Samhain celebrations around the world, visit WitchVox.com