There are flowers, milk, honey, shiny stones, crystals, coloured feathers, spell eggs, decorated eggs, coins and incense. This will definitely be a tradition in our household.
Monday, 19 March 2012
Our Ostara Fairy Altar
I just wanted to share a quick pic of our Ostara Fairy Altar because it is just so sweet. The kids and adults at the Ostara I hosted at my house left offerings for the fairies.
There are flowers, milk, honey, shiny stones, crystals, coloured feathers, spell eggs, decorated eggs, coins and incense. This will definitely be a tradition in our household.
There are flowers, milk, honey, shiny stones, crystals, coloured feathers, spell eggs, decorated eggs, coins and incense. This will definitely be a tradition in our household.
Saturday, 17 March 2012
Ostara
Hello again! It is soon time again for Ostara / The Spring Equinox! I am holding a Family Ostara festival today and I got up extra early this morning to prepare so I decided to take a few minutes to post about what we are doing for Ostara.
1st off Ostara is the the spring equinox, the 1st day of Spring. This year the equinox is on Tuesday, March 20th. The equinox, for those that do not know, is the time of year that there is equal daylight and dark as the sun crosses the celestial equator. It happens twice a year, once in Spring and once in autumn.
The Spring Equinox is scared to the Goddess Eoster, a Saxon great Goddess of fertility and rebirth. Her symbols include rabbits, eggs and birds. This explains the presence of them in the Christian holiday of Easter as the Church combined the holidays when they were trying to convert the European pagans. The themes of rebirth and spring fit quite nicely with the theme of Christ's resurrection.
Less known and celebrated, the Spring Equinox is also sacred to Blodeuwedd, the fairy queen giver of life. The equinoxes are a time when the veil between the worlds are thin and are a time when the fairies come out to play. Its a great time to honour the fair folk.
To celebrate this year we are having a potluck festival where everyone brings a dish made of the traditional foods of the year such as: eggs (obviously), greens, lamb and dairy. My spouse and I will be making a lamb Stew. Here is a traditional Lamb Stew recipe (makes 4 servings):
Every year I dedicate the festival to the children in the community as they are the living symbols of new life. So last year I had a children's festival where I had Ostara themed crafts like egg decorating, egg hunts, games like egg toss and storytelling. This year I am continuing that tradition.
I have also set up a fairy altar under the biggest tree in our yard (I am lucky enough to have a big enough property to hold the festival on). Blodeuwedd is a Flower Woman and so the altar is decorated with lots of flowers. The children (and anyone else that would like to) will leave offerings on the altar to the fairies. Suggested offerings to the fairies are: honey, milk, candy, shiny baubles, crystals, flowers and artwork.
For the adults attending (though the kids can take part) we are doing a seed blessing for seeds that people are planning to plant in their gardens. Think of a project that you want to start or something you would like to bring into your life over the long term. Enchant your seeds so that as they grow the thing you are trying to achieve grows as well. The spell we are using is:
I recommend using a plant you plan to harvest such as veggies and herbs instead of ornamental flowers. Also a note of caution. Make sure you take very good care of these plants and they are now sacred and if you let them whither and die, so may your wish/project.
And other thing we shall be doing is anyone who wishes can make enchanted eggs. You take an egg (fresh or hard boiled) and decorate it with symbols and runes of things you want in your life. Eggs are a potent symbol of fertility so they are great for bringing you what you want. When you finish decorating them put the eggs on your altar or in your garden (they are also great fertilizer).
I hope these ideas inspire you in your own celebrations. And here are some other correspondences to help you as well:
I wish you all a very joyful Ostara!
1st off Ostara is the the spring equinox, the 1st day of Spring. This year the equinox is on Tuesday, March 20th. The equinox, for those that do not know, is the time of year that there is equal daylight and dark as the sun crosses the celestial equator. It happens twice a year, once in Spring and once in autumn.
The Spring Equinox is scared to the Goddess Eoster, a Saxon great Goddess of fertility and rebirth. Her symbols include rabbits, eggs and birds. This explains the presence of them in the Christian holiday of Easter as the Church combined the holidays when they were trying to convert the European pagans. The themes of rebirth and spring fit quite nicely with the theme of Christ's resurrection.
Less known and celebrated, the Spring Equinox is also sacred to Blodeuwedd, the fairy queen giver of life. The equinoxes are a time when the veil between the worlds are thin and are a time when the fairies come out to play. Its a great time to honour the fair folk.
To celebrate this year we are having a potluck festival where everyone brings a dish made of the traditional foods of the year such as: eggs (obviously), greens, lamb and dairy. My spouse and I will be making a lamb Stew. Here is a traditional Lamb Stew recipe (makes 4 servings):
Ingredients
Every year I dedicate the festival to the children in the community as they are the living symbols of new life. So last year I had a children's festival where I had Ostara themed crafts like egg decorating, egg hunts, games like egg toss and storytelling. This year I am continuing that tradition.
I have also set up a fairy altar under the biggest tree in our yard (I am lucky enough to have a big enough property to hold the festival on). Blodeuwedd is a Flower Woman and so the altar is decorated with lots of flowers. The children (and anyone else that would like to) will leave offerings on the altar to the fairies. Suggested offerings to the fairies are: honey, milk, candy, shiny baubles, crystals, flowers and artwork.
For the adults attending (though the kids can take part) we are doing a seed blessing for seeds that people are planning to plant in their gardens. Think of a project that you want to start or something you would like to bring into your life over the long term. Enchant your seeds so that as they grow the thing you are trying to achieve grows as well. The spell we are using is:
"Creatures of Earth Bring Strength and Mirth!
As you grow so shall ____
As you flourish, so shall ____
As you mature, so shall _____
As I harvest your bounty, so shall I harvest the rewards of _____
Eostre, Lady of Spring, bless these seeds and all they bring.
So mote it be."
I recommend using a plant you plan to harvest such as veggies and herbs instead of ornamental flowers. Also a note of caution. Make sure you take very good care of these plants and they are now sacred and if you let them whither and die, so may your wish/project.
And other thing we shall be doing is anyone who wishes can make enchanted eggs. You take an egg (fresh or hard boiled) and decorate it with symbols and runes of things you want in your life. Eggs are a potent symbol of fertility so they are great for bringing you what you want. When you finish decorating them put the eggs on your altar or in your garden (they are also great fertilizer).
I hope these ideas inspire you in your own celebrations. And here are some other correspondences to help you as well:
Colours: All pastels are appropriate, especially greens, yellows and pinks.
Incense: Flowery incenses are best such as violet, honeysuckle and narcissus, also lemon.
Flowers: All flowers are great. Especially daffodils, jonquils, tulips, violets, narcissus and crocus.
I wish you all a very joyful Ostara!
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
The Storm Moon - March 2012
So it is time for the Full Moon again!
If you are a stickler for exact times the moon is officially full tomorrow morning (March 8th) at 4:39 am. But some caution at this time as we will discuss later.
March is the month when Spring finally arrives. It is called the Storm Moon because march is the month of the spring rains and storms that clear away the winter snow and welcomes the new growth of spring. The old adage "In like a lion, out like a lamb" is often applied to this month.
So lets look at some correspondences:
To narrow down themes other astrological correspondences of the day are:
Thursday: Honor, riches, clothing, desires, expansion, money, prosperity, generosity. It is ruled by Jupiter who rules over good luck, wealth, healing, male fertility, legal matters.
The full moon start in Virgo: The Virgin favors abstract thought and keen and critical intellect. Pay attention to details and all matters concerning health and healing, nutrition, herbs, crafts, ethics, service to others, volunteering, and community needs. Use this Moon for coven matters, or crafting altar tools or ritual accouterments. Clean the house! (This may account for my random urge to scrub every corner of my house yesterday lol. Its all sparkly clean!)
If you are doing your full moon ritual after 11:50 pm then the correspondences change as the moon enters Libra at 11:50. Correspondences for the moon in Libra are: Increases self-awareness, favors self-examination and interaction with others, but discourages spontaneous initiative. A good time for partnership matters and legal affairs. Use this Moon for balance and harmony, especially romance.
Now for my note of CAUTION: the moon is void of course at 4:39 am (when the moon officially turns full) do not start new new projects or activities during the day as activities begun when the moon is void of course rarely come into fruition, or they turn out very differently than planned. It is my recommendation that you plan to do your full moon rituals at or after 11:50pm when the moon enters Libra (or as late in day as possible).
I recommend prosperity and anti-poverty workings! Also, if you are planning on gardening, this is a great time to bless your seeds if you haven't already in preparation for planting. If you want to combine the two I'd say imbue your seeds with prosperity drawing magic so as your plant grows so does your wealth.
I hope that helps with your full moon plans! Blessed Be!
If you are a stickler for exact times the moon is officially full tomorrow morning (March 8th) at 4:39 am. But some caution at this time as we will discuss later.
March is the month when Spring finally arrives. It is called the Storm Moon because march is the month of the spring rains and storms that clear away the winter snow and welcomes the new growth of spring. The old adage "In like a lion, out like a lamb" is often applied to this month.
So lets look at some correspondences:
Other names: Seed Moon, Plow Moon, Crow Moon, Sap Moon, Worm Moon, Lenting Moon.
Nature Spirits: mer-people, air and water beings who are connected with spring rains and storms.
Herbs: broom, High John root, yellow dock, wood betony irish moss
Colours : pale green
Scents: honeysuckle, apple blossom
Flowers: jonquil, daffodil, violet
Stones: aquamarine, bloodstone
Trees: adler, dogwood
Animals: cougar, hedgehog, boar
Birds: sea crow, sea birds
Deities: Black Isis, The Morrigan, Hecate, Cybele, Astarte, Athene, Minerva, Artemis, Luna
Power flow- energy breaks into the open, growing, prospering, exploring. New beginnings, balance of light and dark. Breaking illusions, seeing truth in your life however much it may hurt.
To narrow down themes other astrological correspondences of the day are:
Thursday: Honor, riches, clothing, desires, expansion, money, prosperity, generosity. It is ruled by Jupiter who rules over good luck, wealth, healing, male fertility, legal matters.
The full moon start in Virgo: The Virgin favors abstract thought and keen and critical intellect. Pay attention to details and all matters concerning health and healing, nutrition, herbs, crafts, ethics, service to others, volunteering, and community needs. Use this Moon for coven matters, or crafting altar tools or ritual accouterments. Clean the house! (This may account for my random urge to scrub every corner of my house yesterday lol. Its all sparkly clean!)
If you are doing your full moon ritual after 11:50 pm then the correspondences change as the moon enters Libra at 11:50. Correspondences for the moon in Libra are: Increases self-awareness, favors self-examination and interaction with others, but discourages spontaneous initiative. A good time for partnership matters and legal affairs. Use this Moon for balance and harmony, especially romance.
Now for my note of CAUTION: the moon is void of course at 4:39 am (when the moon officially turns full) do not start new new projects or activities during the day as activities begun when the moon is void of course rarely come into fruition, or they turn out very differently than planned. It is my recommendation that you plan to do your full moon rituals at or after 11:50pm when the moon enters Libra (or as late in day as possible).
I recommend prosperity and anti-poverty workings! Also, if you are planning on gardening, this is a great time to bless your seeds if you haven't already in preparation for planting. If you want to combine the two I'd say imbue your seeds with prosperity drawing magic so as your plant grows so does your wealth.
I hope that helps with your full moon plans! Blessed Be!
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