Ostara – The Spring Equinox 2011
It’s time to celebrate Spring at Ostara. If you’re one of our Northern Hemisphere readers, you’re celebrating Ostara on March 20, while down below the Equator it’s time for Mabon. Either way, this is a time of year in which we can celebrate balance — there are equal hours of light and darkness in each day. For those of you observing Ostara, this is a time of rebirth and renewal as the earth comes back to life.
Ostara is the beginning of spring. It’s the time when new life begins to appear in the ground, despite the continuing chill in the air. The spring equinox has been marked for eons by people in a variety of different cultures and belief systems, and there is a great deal of folklore surrounding this time of the year.
Spring Equinox Around the World
Celebrate the season of Ostara, the spring equinox, with rituals and rites that honor the season of rebirth and renewal!
Labyrinth Meditation for Spring
The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Chocolate Rabbit
Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal as the eart
h comes back to life. Why not celebrate the themes of the season with a little bit of spring magic?
Egg-Laying Bunnies and Mad March Hares
All About Mabon, The Autumn Equinox
If you’re one of our Southern Hemisphere readers, you’re watching the autumn equinox approach right now. It’s a time of harvest and bounty, and the gifts of the earth are to be celebrated and treasured.
Ostara Customs, Traditions and Folklore
Ostara, the spring equinox, has plenty of folkore and customs connected to it. From the festivals of ancient Rome to the colorful egg hunt, learn about some of the traditions surrounding the spring season.
Floralia: The Roman May Day Celebration
Long before the medieval peasantry of the British Isles erected their Maypoles, the ancient Romans were partying hard in honor of Flora, their spring fertility goddess. She had her very own festival, called Floralia, and there was all kinds of merrymaking going on!
March 15th is known as the Ides of March, and seems to come with dire warnings attached. Learn a bit about why this day is seen as a dangerous time for some people!
Ostara Cooking
Looking for recipes to brighten up your Ostara celebration? Here’s where you’ll find information on seasonal treats such as eggs, breads, light soups, salads, and desserts for the Sabbat.
Use fresh mint leaves to make a tasty chutney for your Ostara celebration. Serve it with meat, or on top of roasted veggies.
Ostara is the time of the spring lambs, and this marinated and roasted leg of lamb is the perfect dish for your Ostara celebrations.
Ostara Crafts
If you’d like to jazz up your altar, walls, or the entire house with decorations for Ostara, here’s where you’ll find several fun and easy craft projects. There’s more to this time of year than colored eggs, so be sure to check out these ideas!
Ostara is a time of year when weather can change dramatically, often at a moment’s notice. Set up a home weather station so you and your family can track changes in rain fall, wind direction, temperature, and barometric pressure.
Make a Miniature Greenhouse for Ostara
At Ostara, it’s still too cold to plant your seeds outside, but you can certainly get your seedlings started indoors. Make an indoor greenhouse, put it in a sunny spot, and watch your garden begin!
From Patti Wigington, your Guide to Paganism / Wiccan on About.com
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