Northern Hemisphere: March 20-23
Southern Hemisphere: September 20-23
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Fertility now is beginning to rise up slowly from
the earth.
This holiday is where the tradition of two symbols of fertility came from which are still used today by Christians who aren't even aware of the origins.
The bunny and the egg.
This is the time of year when we decorate eggs, and the bunny hides them.
The basket full of decorated eggs symbolises the womb full of fertility almost ready to burst forth onto the Earth.
This is the time of the Wheel of the Year which we celebrate the courtship of the Goddess and God. Because she gave birth to him at Yule does not mean that this is incest. This is Symbolism in nature.
The Goddess and God play the parts of all our lives. At one point we are all one of their aspects, so this is how they represent us.
A female is a maiden, a mother, a crone; and a male is a boy, a father, and a grandfather at some point in their lives.
They are merely symbolically living in terms we can all understand.
You can celebrate by taking a walk through a nature-trail or into your backyard to recognise the changes in the Earth as she awakens even more.
This second Sabbat is the trinity of spring celebrations is also a time of blessing seeds for future planting. The Spring Equinox is the point of equilibrium - the balance is suspended just before spring bursts forth from winter.
Traditionally, Ostara is a time for collecting wildflowers, walking in nature's beauty and cultivating herb gardens.
This is the time to free yourself from anything in the past that is holding you back.
In Wales, Ostara was known as Lady Day and signified the official return of the Goddess from her long winter hibernation.
Many of the myths associated with Ostara concern trips by deities into the mysterious underworld, and their struggle and eventual return to the land of the living.
Ostara comes from a Latin name for the Spring Goddess Eostre, for whom Easter was named.
In fact, the story of the Easter Bunny which delights children so much in America comes from the legend of a humble little rabbit's dealings with the Goddess Eostre.
As the legend goes, a lowly little rabbit wanted so much to please his Goddess that he laid sacred eggs in her honour and decorated them in beautiful rainbow colours.
When the rabbit presented Eostre with his gift, she was so pleased that she desired for all humans to share in her joy and asked the little rabbit to go throughout the world distributing the little gifts.
During Ostara, eggs are decorated and used as altar decorations to honour the Goddess and the God, as well as carried as magical talismans for fertility.
As sacred objects of life and fertility, eggs are also given as cherished gifts.
The Great Rite, symbolic of the sexual union between Goddess and God and of the physical and spiritual union between all men and women, began to be enacted on the day of Ostara.
The positive effects of this rite, a form of sympathetic magic, helped to bring fertility to the people, the land, and their animals.
Day and night are equal as Spring begins to enliven the environment with new growth and more new born animals.
After the long cold nights of winter, the spring announces itself with the' Vernal Equinox-the night when the dark and light are in balance.
While the Solstice marks the farthest point of the Sun's retreat, at the Equinox the warmth and light of the Sun are clearly increasing, and the joy is felt all over the world.
At this time, the power of the Horned God recedes.
The white, chilly nights begin to warm, and the green Goddess makes her presence felt on earth with the early blossoms of spring.
Throughout the world, this magical time is marked with celebrations and festivals.
The Goddess is seen as a young maiden, emerging onto the earth for the first time.
By Nyx Wolfwalker
Ostara is a time of new fire. The light and dark are in perfect balance, but the light is growing and the Sun is about to burst forth with new energy. It is a season of fertility and growth. Throughout the world, this magical time is marked with celebrations and festivals.
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Correspondences
Energy breaks into the open: growing and prospering, New beginnings, balance of Light and Dark. Seeing the truth in your life however much it may hurt.
Moon
Seed Moon, Worm Moon, Plow Moon, Moon of Winds
Symbols
Decorated Eggs, Bunnies, Basket of Wildflowers
Gods/Goddess
Springtime Goddesses
Athena, Isis, Flora, Easter, Anna Perenna, The Morrigan, Hecate, Cybele, Astarte, Minerva, Artemis and Luna
Spirits
Mer-People, Air and Water beings connected with spring rains and storms
Colors
Green, Yellow, Red Violet
Traditional Foods
Eggs, Seeds, Leafy Green Vegetables, Spiced or Flower Cupcakes, Fruits, HotCross Buns, Spring Lamb
Herbs and Growths
Lilac, RoseHips, Honeysuckle, Iris, Peony, Violet, Jonquils, Daffodils, Broom,Vervain, High John Wort, Yellow Dock, Wood Betony and Irish Moss
Incense
Jasmine, Rose, Strawberry
Gemstones
Rose Quartz, Agate, Lapis Lazuli, Amazonite, Garnet, Jasper,Aquamarine, Bloodstone
Animals and Birds
Cougar, Hedgehog, Boar, Sea Crow, Sea Eagle
Trees
Alder, Dogwood
Focus of Imbolg:
At this time, witches cast spells for careers, relationships, and love. It's a time for planting new ideas. Seek harmony and balance in the incredible energy of the season, and project good health, good fortune, and confidence in achieving goals. This is the time to free yourself from anything in the past that is holding you back.
CRAFTS
RITUALS
ACTIVITIES
POEMS
LORE
updated March 18, 2000
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