Spring Equinox, Vernal Equinox, Ostara, Eostre, Ostern

[In_The_Wind]

Ostara: Spring Equinox (Ostara) - March 21st/22nd

Incense: Jasmine, Rose

Decorations: Yellow Disk or Wheel, Coloured Egg's, Hare Decorations, Spring Flowers

Colours: Yellow

This marks the Spring Equinox. This is the Pagan "Easter" - or rather, this is the day that Christians borrowed to be their Easter.

It is traditionally the day of equilibrium, neither harsh winter or the merciless summer, and is a time of childish wonder. Painted eggs, baskets of flowers and the like are generally used to decorate the house.

It is common to use this time to free yourself from things which hinder progress. As a day of equilibrium, it is a good time to perform self banishings and also perform workings to gain things we have lost, or to gain qualities we wish to have.

The second of the 3 spring festivals, this Sabbat occurs in mid march when day and night are of equal length. This festival is also of fertility where seeds are blessed for planting soon after. Traditional colours for this holiday are light green, lemon yellow and pale pink.

Blessed Be

[antiquie]

1. A litle story of the hare and the egg...

Once upon a time the Animal Kingdom gathered together for a meeting in a flurry of great excitement. There was to be a Very Special Party and a Very Special Guest was coming to visit them. The Very Special Guest was none other than the Goddess herself, and every creature wanted to give her a Very Special Gift.

Now some of the animals were very rich and some were very poor but off they went to prepare their gifts, for only the very very best would do for the Goddess. Hare was very very excited, he dearly loved the Goddess and although he was very poor he had a big generous heart - he was going to give her the very finest gift he could find!

Hare rushed home to see what he could find to give to the Goddess - he looked everywhere, in the cupboards and under the bed but there was nothing, even the larder was empty, he had absolutely nothing to give Her. Except for one thing. On the shelf in the larder was a single egg. And that was it. It was the only thing he had left. Hare gently took the egg out of the larder and lovingly decorated it and took it to the party.

Hare was very worried, all the other animals gave their gifts of gold and silver and precious jewels and all Hare had was the egg. Eventually all the gifts had been given and Hare was the very very last. Hare very shyly presented the Goddess with the egg. She took it and looked at him and saw the true spirit of Hare. And there and then the Goddess appointed Hare as her Very Special Animal - because Hare had given away everything he had.

[In_The_Wind]

2. A gift from the heart was all the hare had to offer.

Tis more valuable than any riches can buy.

[Aristus]

3. Hey, I'm down with anything that involves beautiful nature-ladies in satiny evening gowns.

[antiquie]

4. Aristus is soooo easy.

[In_The_Wind]

6. ...

[Aristus]

7. Thank you for not saying I'm hard.

That would have just complicated things...

[antiquie]

8. Oh my goddess

[In_The_Wind]

5. It is the Goddess Persephone you seek.

[Aristus]

9. She needs to seek me, too.

She should have stayed away from that Hades dude. I guess she just fell for his Alpha-male personality and his man-cave furnished in Early Classical Underworld.

[In_The_Wind]

12. Perhaps she would have if you had been available.

[Aristus]

13. Ah, redheads!...

[LiberalEsto]

10. Sweet spring blessings to you, In The Wind!

and happy Spring to everyone reading this!

(Even though it's snowing like mad as I look out the window)

[In_The_Wind]

11. And, to you as well.

We're expecting another 3 inches of snow tonight, however I believe Spring can't be far away.