This is the time of the Spring's return; the joyful time, the seed time, when life bursts forth from the Earth and the chains of winter are broken. Light and dark are equal; it is a time of balance, when all the elements within us must be brought into a new harmony. The Prince of the Sun stretches out his hand, and Kore, the Dark Maiden, returns from the Land of the Dead, cloaked in fresh rain, with the sweet scent of desire on her breath. Where They step, the wild flowers appear; as They dance, despair turns to hope, sorrow to joy, want to abundance.
In the North, where spring comes later, the aspects of the sacrificial mating really belongs to Beltane. Thus, Ostara gives up it's human-fertility aspect to the Greater Sabbat, and retains it's vegetation-fertility aspect. In the Mediterranean, the Equinox is a time for sprouting, and in the North, it is a time for sowing.
As a Solar festival, Ostara must share with the Greater Sabbats the eternal theme of fire and light. In is interesting to note that this theme has survived strongly in Easter folklore. In many parts of Europe, Easter bonfires are lit on hilltop sites. The fire to light the bonfires is obtained from the priests. It is believed that as far as the light shines, the land will be fruitful, and the homes secure. People jump the dying embers, and cattle are driven over them.
Another interesting point to note, is that the Christian Easter falls anywhere between Eostar and Beltane. In fact, the name Easter comes from the Teutonic Goddess Ostara, also called Eostre a. Many witches call the Spring Equinox by these names. |
