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.

3 Crazy Myths About Witches

Anyone who's been raised watching Disney movies is probably familiar with the outlandish myths out there about witches and witchcraft. Below are just a few of the myths surrounding witches. Which ones have you had people ask you?


Witches are crazy old hags who do gross things like pull their eyeballs out.
     Source: Shakespear's play, MacBeth. In the play the three witches are blind and see the future through an eyeball they pass around.
     Truth: Think I'll stick with reading Tarot cards thanks! The truth is if you take out your eye, witch or not, you'll be blind and in a lot of pain. And if a healer knows you were stupid enough to do that to yourself, they probably won't help you. In the play they also add all kinds of crawling, slithering things to their cauldron, "Double double toil in trouble.." The cauldron is a useful tool for boiling up infusions of herbs for healing teas and potions. However, becasue of the weight and expense of a wrought iron cauldron, most witches use a regular pot.
    Warning: Use common sense and good judgement. Don't consume herbs or direct others to do so without  insuring they are nonpoisonous and not irritants. Check every herb before use by its botanical name - some herbs have similar common names, so be careful!


Witches wear pointy black hats and are covered in warts.
    Source: Not sure of the original source of the warts myth, but witches have worn pointed hats in the past as a tool for the cone of power.
    Truth: Pointy black hats are a fashion faux paus, and you should see a doctor to have warts removed.
    Warning: Playing with magick didn't work well for Mickey Mouse, so don't slap on a pointy hat and start summoning spirits!


"She turned me into a gnewt!...I got better." - Monty Python's "Search for the Holy Grail"
    Source: Witches have long been accused of doing terrible things to their neighbors. Books such as Malleus Maleficarium (a witch hunting guide from 1485) have induced hysterics and witch hunts for centuries. The ideas and beliefs written in it are still perpetrated in modern times. In 2008 the popular tv show Supernatural had an episode entitled "Malleus Maleficarium" in which witches were whores who sold themselves to demons for their powers.
    Truth: While anything is possible, why would a witch turn someone into a gnewt when a diamond would be more practical? The ability to transform objects into other objects is known as transmogrification. It's as rare as alchemists turning iron into gold and I've never known anyone who could do this.
    Warning: A witch may not turn you into a gnewt, but it may not stop them from cursing you with a gnewt infestation! (Just kidding, use magick wisely)