Ostara Ritual
�2000 by Mareth SummerWind
Supplies:
Regular ritual supplies
Seed packets and/or plant bulbs for blessing
Fresh flowers for the altar
A shallow bowl of fresh spring water
4 hard-boiled, colored eggs (1 each: yellow, red, blue, and green)
A bowl of milk mixed with honey
Instructions:
Set up altar as usual, adding a bowl of fresh spring water placed in the center of the altar.
Cast circle, starting at North and making three full circuits around the ritual area:
"By the powers of Earth, Sky, and Sea, I cast this circle. With Their blessings, I create a place between the worlds, where I may commune with the Old Ones. Inside these boundaries, nothing but positive energies may enter and grow. The circle is sealed. So Mote It Be."
Invitation to the Quarters
Invoking the Goddess:
"Beautiful Osh�n, Goddess of the sweet waters, bringer of fertility, I invite you to make your presence known. I ask your blessing upon my endeavors as I celebrate the coming of Spring. You are welcome here. So Mote It Be!"
Statement of purpose:
"Today, I celebrate the coming of Spring. This is a time of balance between day and night, between the old and the new, between winter's chill and summer's heat. May I find that perfect balance within myself."
Blessing of the eggs:
(NOTE: It is traditional in some areas to place colored eggs in the garden, representing fertility for the plants. I have taken this idea and expanded upon it a bit. I color 4 eggs, one to represent each of the four Quarters. After the blessing, they will be placed in the appropriate spot in my garden.)
Green Egg: "I empower you with the spirit of fertility so that my plants may grow well and produce all that I need to nourish both body and soul. So Mote It Be!"
Yellow Egg: "I empower you with the spirit of wisdom so that I may make sound decisions that will benefit the both plants and animals that call my garden their home. So Mote It Be!"
Red Egg: "I empower you with the spirit of passion so that I may have the will and strength to tend to the plants in my care. So Mote It Be!"
Blue Egg: "I empower you with the spirit of peace so that I may find serenity and joy while attending to the needs of my garden. So Mote It Be!"
Blessing of the seeds that will be planted in my garden once the danger of frost has passed:
"Awaken, sleeping spirits! Spring is come! Soon you will be planted in the fertile earth, nourished by Osh�n's sweet waters, warmed by the light of the waxing Sun, and protected by the Faery folk. In my garden, you shall grow strong. Bless the land with your beauty and abundance. So Mote It Be!"
Simple feast (gingersnaps and apple/cherry juice for me, milk and honey to offer to the Faery Folk, and spring water for Osh�n.)
Thanks to the Goddess:
"Osh�n, beautiful Goddess of the sweet waters, bringer of fertility, I thank You for Your presence and for your blessing today. You are always welcome in my home. Go if You must, stay if You like. Blessings upon You. So Mote It Be!"
Farewell to the Quarters:
(Starting in the North, moving widdershins):
"(Totem name), (Element name), and Faery Folk of the (direction), thank you for celebrating this Sabbat with me and for lending your energies to my work. You are always welcome in my home. Go if you must, stay if you like. Blessings upon you. So Mote It Be! "
Take down the Circle, starting at the North and moving widdershins until you reach the North once again.
Take the eggs outside and bury them at the appropriate points in the garden.
Leave the milk and honey in the Faery Haven for them to enjoy.
Go to Correspondences for Ostara
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