Spring Equinox (around March 21st) also known as: Vernal Equinox, Ostara, Alban Eiler, Esther The Spring Equinox, second in the trilogy of fertility festivals, is the exact moment when day and night are equal. This is the moment that the Sun King begins his seminal journey across the sky, His warmth and Light over taking the darkness of Winter until His peak at Summer Solstice in June. Ostara (Eostre), the Goddess of Fertility and Rebirth, presides over the Spring Equinox. She stands among Spring's flowers and vines, holding an egg in Her hand. Around Her feet the bunnies play joyfully in the Spring grass and birds fly above Her. Her head is crowned with Spring's flowers. Ostara and the egg She carries are symbols of newborn life. Spring Equinox is the season of new life and new fire. It marks the beginning of the season of fertility and growth. Depending on the region it is the seedling time, time to Bless and plant the seeds. In other areas, the seeds are Blessed for future planting. Eggs are colored in beautiful pastels and placed in baskets around the house and altar. Eggs are charged as talismans for fruitfulness and success for the upcoming season. Eggs and seeds are an important part of this festival because of the promise they each hold of new life springing forth. Seeding, of course, has a multi-level meaning, for the seeds we plant, can be on the soil of our Being as well as the soil of the earth. It is a wonderful time, after the final harvest of fields of self during Samhain, to plant new seeds from our experience, pondered and understood during the winter months. To create new life, from the seeds of experience past. A life rich in the wisdom of experience past, brimming with the promise of times future. Spring Equinox is a celebration of balance. For it is not quite Spring and yet not quite winter, it is the time when we are perched magically between the two seasons. The trees and plants are stirring with renewed life, and yet we still receive the March wintry storms. It is a time to remember our balance in the greater scheme of things, we are an important part of all that happens around us, our actions and deeds have effect on the Earth, Her people, and the Universe. So it is the time of the year, our need to walk in balance with the Universe is ever evident. It is a time for Spring cleaning, on all levels, the house, the yard, your neighborhood, your psyche, so we may plant the seeds of the future desired. |