Spring Equinox, Ostara, Eostre, Easter, Vernal Equinox
21st March
Spring Equinox marks the mid-point of the Waxing Year, the nights and days are balanced once again; the time when Kore, (Persephone) was believed to have returned from the Underworld where she had ruled throughout the Winter. The spark of light, born at Winter Solstice has reached maturity, and from here onwards, the days progressively grow longer than the nights. Western culture proclaims this the first day of Spring.
Older traditions called the Spring Equinox, Ostara; the time of the festivals of the Grecian Goddess, Eostre, and the Germanic Ostara, both fertility Goddesses of Dawn. These influenced the naming of the modern-day Easter Holiday. New greenery bursts forth from sleeping seeds in the countryside, as metaphorically, pagans also plant their own seeds for future goals, future projects and growth at this time.
Decorated eggs, being symbols of fertility are symbolic of Ostara. In days gone, Europeans gave gifts of decorated eggs to new brides, in the hope that they would bear many children. Similarly, bowls filled with eggs were given to farm workers by the farmer’s wife, to ensure a rich harvest. Most all cultures see the egg as a symbol of Life; the actual home of the Soul. In Russia, decorated eggs are still given as gifts to loved ones and buried in graves to ensure rebirth.
The women gathered the eggs only from hens which were around a rooster and decorated them, allowing no one to watch them work as they transferred the goodness of the household to the designs on the eggs, thus keeping evil away. Dyes were mixed to secret family recipes and special blessings placed on each egg.
The Spring Equinox defines the season where Spring reaches it's peak, with the powers of light increasing. The God of Light, (Llew), now gains victory over his twin, the God of Darkness. Llew was reborn at the Winter Solstice and is now old and strong enough to vanquish his rival twin and mate with his Mother Goddess. The great Mother Goddess, who returned to her Virgin aspect at Imbolc, welcomes the young Sun God's attentions and conceives a child. The child will be born nine months from now, at the next Winter Solstice, when the cycle closes, only to begin anew.
Here are some of the colours used on Ostara Eggs, and their meanings:
White: Purity
Yellow: Wisdom, a successful Harvest, or Spirituality
Red: Happiness, hope, passion, nobility, bravery, enthusiasm, love
Brown: Enrichment, good harvest, happiness
Purple: Faith, trust, power
Pink: Success, friendship, love
Black: Remembrance
The custom of eating Hot Cross Buns also has pagan origins. The Saxons ate buns that were marked with a cross in honour of Eostre; ancient Greeks consumed these types of buns in their celebrations of Artemis, Goddess of the hunt, and the Egyptians ate a similar cake in their worship of the Goddess Isis.
There are conflicting ideas as to what the cross symbol represents. One suggestion is that it is a Christianisation of horn symbols that were stamped on cakes to represent an ox, which used to be sacrificed at the time of the Spring Equinox. Another theory relates to Moon worship; the bun representing the full Moon, and the cross, its four quarters. Christianity gave new meanings to the symbolism of the buns, saying the cross represented the Crucifixion Cross. Thus, superstitions arose crediting these buns as being charms against evil, so after Good Friday, people would save one or two of them to hang in their homes as amulets. During the festival season and indeed, for a long time afterwards, fishermen would carry these Easter buns in their boats, for protection.
The Easter Bunny is another symbol which has obvious links to fertility, rebirth, and the abundance of life which is evident in Spring.
According to myth, Eostre was a playful Goddess whose reign over the earth began in Sring when the Sun King journeyed across the sky in his chariot, bringing the end of Wnter. Eostre came down to Earth then, appearing as a beautiful maiden with a basket of bright colorful eggs. Eostre's magical companion was a rabbit who accompanied her as she brought new life to dying plants and flowers by hiding the eggs in the fields.
Traditional Foods Leafy green vegetables, Dairy foods, Nuts such as Pumpkin, Sunflower and Pine. Flower Dishes and Sprouts.
Herbs and Flowers Daffodil, Jonquils, Woodruff, Violet, Gorse, Olive, Peony, Iris, Narcissus and all spring flowers.
Incense Jasmine, Rose, Strawberry, Floral of any type.
Sacred Gemstone Jasper
IMBOLC
by Tara Sutphen
Imbolc "IM-bulk" is a pagan holiday with many names. One of the Sabbats, it is an ancient festival generally celebrated on January 31, February 1, or February 2. It is also known as Candlemas, Brighid ("breed/bride"), and Oimelc ("EE-mulk") which means ewe's milk. It is the time of year halfway between December 21, the winter Solstice (Yule) and March 21, the spring Equinox (Ostara). Imbolc is in the middle of winter, but is the optimism of spring.The Egyptians and the Romans also celebrated this time, as it was the earth goddess giving birth to the Sun God. The time to ready seeds for the planting of food. A time of planning weddings, love, and romance. Days are getting longer and hope is renewed. The celebration is to light candles. Night of white candles turns the darkness into light.
Lughnasadh: Known in Modern Irish as Lá Lúnasa, in Welsh as Gwyl Awst (August Feast), in Manx as Lla Lluanys, as Laa'n Ouyr (Day of the Harvest Season) or as Lammas, and to the English as Apple Day and Harvest Home. Essentially it is a harvest festival that signals the beginning of the harvest season and the ripening of the apples (as well as other fruits and vegetables). Drinking: Apple juice or cider, and sometimes mead.
The harvest is a symbol of reaping the rewards of our bountiful planet. It's about casting aside doubt and expecting that if you strive for goals and wisdom, you can have a rich and prosperous life. "To have" is your earthly birthright. We can not only take, we must use a balance system of give and take. The steps or keys of success are clarity of a reachable idea and then movement toward the idea as a goal, taking small steps and creating movement and energy. This is how you expand your personal power. Your energy can be channeled into accomplishment. The next key is to draw in the energy to you. This I call sorcing.
I think it's wonderful to sorce for prosperity, love, great health, wisdom, beauty, knowledge, success, great career, romance, happiness, vitality, friendship, creativity etc... but as an example I would not sorce for a specific person I might like to know in my life...I rather sorce generally for love, connection, friendship or romance. This way you are sorcing for the highest element of love, true love, true connection, not condition. It is very important to be grounded yet to allow the possibilities of a boundless energy to enter our lives in the highest regard. Another example would be prosperity, to gain you must either work or attain your career label. We all came here to experience life...What are you experiencing? Are you achieving your purpose? Your greatest potential? Great love?
Happy Mabon, the Autumn Equinox. Celebratration of the harvest. I only know one sungazer, they gain sustenence from the sun. For the rest of us nourishment is essential for all life. And as Thanksgiving gives thanks for America and her gifts, Mabon is a time of giving thanks for the World. Gratitude of food for all people.
Our Mabon plans will be to sit around a nicely laid out table with some family and friends. We will say what our best and happiest summer memories were and what we wish to happen this fall. Cheyenne will lead a blessing, lighting of the candles and a toasting ritual. We will toast our appreciation for the farmers, markets, cooks and nurturers.Gratitude, the first of many steps to living a well to do existense. A celebration of life.
What are your warm and cherished memories from your summer? What are your plans for this fall? Are you setting goals?
I wish you a blessed Autumn. Love & Light, Tara Sutphen
Mabon Autumn Equinox, 2nd Harvest, September 21st
Mabon, (pronounced MAY-bun, MAY-bone, MAH-boon, or MAH-bawn) is the Autumn Equinox. The Autumn Equinox divides the day and night equally, and we all take a moment to pay our respects to the impending dark. We also give thanks to the waning sunlight, as we store our harvest of this year's crops. The Druids call this celebration, Mea'n Fo'mhair, and honor the The Green Man, the God of the Forest, by offering libations to trees. Offerings of ciders, wines, herbs and fertilizer are appropriate at this time. Wiccans celebrate the aging Goddess as she passes from Mother to Crone, and her consort the God as he prepares for death and re-birth.
Various other names for this Lesser Wiccan Sabbat are The Second Harvest Festival, Wine Harvest, Feast of Avalon, Equinozio di Autunno (Strega), Alben Elfed (Caledonii), or Cornucopia. The Teutonic name, Winter Finding, spans a period of time from the Sabbat to Oct. 15th, Winter's Night, which is the Norse New Year.
At this festival it is appropriate to wear all of your finery and dine and celebrate in a lavish setting. It is the drawing to and of family as we prepare for the winding down of the year at Samhain. It is a time to finish old business as we ready for a period of rest, relaxation, and reflection.
Symbolism of Mabon:
- Second Harvest, the Mysteries, Equality and Balance.
Symbols of Mabon:
- Wine, gourds, pine cones, acorns, grains, corn, apples, pomegranates, vines such as ivy, dried seeds, and horns of plenty.
- Breads, nuts, apples, pomegranates, and vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and onions.
Incense of Mabon:
- Autumn Blend-benzoin, myrrh, and sage.
Colors of Mabon:
- Red, orange, russet, maroon, brown, and gold.
Stones of Mabon:
- Sapphire, lapis lazuli, and yellow agates.
Activities of Mabon:
- Making wine, gathering dried herbs, plants, seeds and seed pods, walking in the woods, scattering offerings in harvested fields, offering libations to trees, adorning burial sites with leaves, acorns, and pine cones to honor those who have passed over.
Spellworkings of Mabon:
- Protection, prosperity, security, and self-confidence. Also those of harmony and balance.
Deities of Mabon:
- Goddesses-Modron, Morgan, Epona, Persephone, Pamona and the Muses. Gods-Mabon, Thoth, Thor, Hermes, and The Green Man.
Mabon is considered a time of the Mysteries. It is a time to honor Aging Deities and the Spirit World. Considered a time of balance, it is when we stop and relax and enjoy the fruits of our personal harvests, whether they be from toiling in our gardens, working at our jobs, raising our families, or just coping with the hussle-bussle of everyday life. May your Mabon be memorable, and your hearts and spirits be filled to overflowing!
Beltaine
Beltaine is the "Celebration of the Light",the light time of the year. The dark time being remembered by Samhain. May 1 is the day in the middle of the spring and the summer equinox' (15*Taurus). May Day is the time for love and the happiness of summer on it's way.
Beltane is a celebration of the union of souls, The union of minds, and the union of bodies. The earth mother calls her progeny to replenish the earth. Flowers decorate hair and everywhere. Maypole ribbon dances, with two circles interweaving around a decorated tree or pole, clockwise dance circles. Bonfires or candles to spark the sacred fire of union and fertility.
Druids and Pagans raised the Beltaine fires on hilltops on May Eve, the fires were lit in order to bring the sun's light down to earth. Earth awakening from it's long winter nap and the flowers are in bloom and frolicking abounds. Joy alights your body, mind, and spirit, the colors become brighter, you see the best in everyone, casting away all worries and doubts you collected over the winter time.All nightmares become daydreams of love, hope and harmony.
Beltaine or Beltane is an anglicization of the Irish "Bealtaine" or the Scottish "Bealtuinn." -- "bel,"brilliant", "tene" "fire"
Things to do on Beltaine alone or with a group
Create a Beltaine circle or group
Buy or Pick flowers
potluck
maywine (alcoholic or non alcoholic)
Candles, Fireplace, Bonfire -- Lighting a fire with a blessing
May pole (you can use a tree if you don't have a pole) garnish w. greenery and flowers - tie long ribbon
If you create a May pole, make lots of wishes while you walk clockwise into your future, and at the end of wrapping the ribbon say a blessing for yourself and end with "to love and be loved, So it is". If the tree/pole ribbons pretty and sturdy enough you could leave until Samhain.
Some of the questions that you can ask your friends or family are:
What were the highlights in your winter? Everyone must come up with at least one if not several highlights. What are the dreams to enliven your spring and summer? Every one should convey their intentions for the summer.
Making Maywine
Ingredients
2 bottles of dry white wine
2 cups strawberry liqueor
5 thin orange slices
and/or
1 cup sliced strawberries
12 sprigs of woodruff
1 teaspoon sugar (more or less, as preferred)
Edible flowers (to be added after all ingredients have been mixed together)
Directions
Soak the dried woodruff overnight in the wine.
Add the rest of the ingredients, stir with a wooden spoon, and let it steep for an hour or so.
Serve very cold, with edible flowers floating atop in the punch bowl.
The taste is both sweet and fruity.
Non-Alcoholic version: Substitute sparkling water and grape juice, sparkling water and apple juice
A fragrant perennial herb (Galium odoratum) native to Eurasia and North Africa and widely cultivated as a shade ground cover, having small white flowers and narrow leaves used for flavoring wine and in sachets. Also called sweet woodruff.
Any of various plants of the genus Asperula, having whorled leaves and small funnel-shaped flowers.
Woodruff is sold in the herb section at markets and nurserys..
grateful 
