Friday, March 23, 2012

Spring Equinox: Ostara

Spring Equinox: Ostara: March 21st (approximately)
This festival is celebrated on or about March 21st and is the fourth Sabbat of the year. The date marks the true astronomical spring. This is a fire and fertility festival that celebrates the return of the Sun (the God) and the Earth’s fertility (the Goddess). The Goddess is no longer the child she has matured and is ready to join the God in courtship.

Element:
Fire
Herbs:
Acorn, Celadine, Cinquefoil, Crocus, Daffodil, Dandelion, Dogwood, Easter Lily, Ginger, Gorse, Honeysuckle, Hyssop, Iris, Irish Moss, Jasmine, Jonquils, Linden, Narcissus, Olive, Peony, Rose, Snowdrop, Spring flowers, Strawberry, Tansy, Violet, Woodruff
Oil/Incense:
African Violet, Floral of any type, Ginger, Jasmine, Lotus, Magnolia, Rose, Sage, Strawberry
Colors:
Green, Indigo, Pastels, Pink, Red, Yellow
Stones:
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Bloodstone, Moonstone, Red, Jasper, Rose Quartz
Foods:
Dairy foods, Eggs, Fruits, Hard-boiled eggs, Honey, Honey cakes, Leafy green vegetables, Pine Nuts, Pumpkin, Sunflower seeds, Sprouts, Waffles
Symbols:
8-Spoked wheel, Butterflies, Chicks, Decorated baskets, Eggs, Feathers, Jellybeans, Rabbits, Seeds, Shamrocks, Spring flowers, Sunwheels
Activities:
Color eggs, Plant seeds, Start a Magickal Herb Garden, Take long walks in nature
Spellworkings:
Altar re-dedication, Beginnings, Fire magick, New employment, New projects
Deities:
Goddesses: Eostre, Flora, Ostara, Persephone, Venus
Gods: Adonis, Attis, Celi, Cernunnos, Coel, Dagda, Dalon ap Landu, Dylan, Green Man, Lord of the Greenwood, Mithras, Odin, Osiris, Ovis
Other Names:
Alban Eiler, Lady Day, Spring/Vernal Equinox
Related Festivals:
Easter - The Christian holiday that marks the resurrection of Christ after his crucifixion.  Easter’s date of celebration is several weeks after Ostara.
Passover - A seven day Jewish celebration that celebrates the freeing of the Jewish slaves in Egypt.  A thorough house cleaning is also a part of this holiday

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