Ostara Traditions, Symbols, and Rituals

Design your own ritual to welcome the Maiden Goddess and Youthful God,  the increasing  light, the new life and renewal of Mother Earth.  Think of your directions, questions and needs and focus on them.

A traditional Vernal equinox pastime: go to a field and randomly collect wildflowers. Or, buy some from a florist, taking one or two of  those that appeal to you. Then bring them home and diving their magical meanings by the use of books, your own intuition, a pendulum or by other means. The flowers you’ve chosen reveal your inner  thoughts and emotions.

It is important at this time of renewed life to plan a walk (or a  ride) through gardens, a park, woodlands, forest and other green  places. This is not simply exercise, and you should be on no other mission. It isn’t even just an appreciation of nature. Make your walk celebratory, a ritual for nature itself.

Other traditional activities include blessing and planting seeds, working on magical gardens and practising all forms of herb work - magical,  medicinal, cosmetic, culinary and artistic. Make magickal amulets of fertility, protection, and prosperity.

Foods in tune with this day (linking your meals with the seasons is a  fine method of attuning with nature) include those made of Eggs, seeds, such as sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds, as well as pine nuts. Sprouts are equally appropriate, as are leafy, green vegetables. Eggs, spring lamb, creams and milk represent the new life of the earth. Flower dishes such as stuffed naturtiums or carnations cupcakes also find their place here.
A traditional breakfast may include ham, eggs, and hot cross buns.

Candles are green for the growing and budding life, yellow for the  increasing sun, robin  egg blue for the animals, or white. Rainbow colors, especial pastels are also symbolic of the new spring.

Incenses to be used alone or in combinations include jasmine, rose, sage, strawberry, violet, orange peel, lotus, magnolia or ginger.

Plants and herbs are tansy, lavendar, daffodil, Easter lilies, honeysuckle, Irises, jasmine, rose strawberry, violets, broom, meadowsweet, and trefoil (purple clover), lily of the valley,  marjoram, thyme, tarragon, lovage, lilac, lemon balm, dogwood, honeysuckle, oakmoss, orrisroot, sunflower seeds, rose hips, oak, elder, willow, crocus, daffodil, jonquil, tulip, broom (Scotch or Iris), acorn, vervain

Stones to use include clear quartz, rose quartz, agate, lapis lazuli, garnet, amethyst, amazonite, or moonstone.
 

Animals and mythical beasts for this time of year are hares, snakes, unicorns, merpeople, or pegasus.

Altars can be decorated with potted spring flowers (so they are still alive), bowls of soil, seeds, painted eggs (see activities), the green man.

Goddesses honored at this time concern the moon, virginity, fertility, and  love.  These  include Anna Perenna, Isis, Sitala, Flora, Aphrodite, Cybele, Flidais, Ova, Vesta.

Gods honored at this time include Cernunnos, Pan, Adonis, Lord of Greenwood, Dylan, Odin, and Osiris.

Chakra is the fourth, the heart, green, love and compassion for our  fellows and all life.

The element is fire.  The fire for the Ostara ritual should be lit during the ritual, not before.

The direction is East.

Zodiac Sign is Aires.

On Ostara Eve light a purple or violet candle and burn patchouli  incense. Carry both through the house and say:

Farewell to wintry spirits and friends;
on morrow we greet the spirits of Spring.
Our blessings to thee as your way we wend;
And merry we will meet next winter.

Blow out candle and say,

Merry we meet, merry we part, and merry we will meet again.

Set up your altar with green candles, a potted plant,  incense, soil,  representations of the God and Goddess, an unlit yellow candle, and  whatever stones are appropriate for you.  Have some painted eggs with powers or goals you desire.  Open the circle.  If you see the element of Fire as being south, turn to the south and say something along the lines of:

“Welcome and Blessed Be to the strengthening Sun,
With  your power  banish the darkness
and illuminate the directions to power and prosperity.”

As you take the potted plant in you hands,  say:

“Welcome and Blessed Be to the Maiden Goddess, with your power bring renewed life  and banish  the negative energies of the old.”

“Welcome and Blessed Be to the youthful God,
with  your power I gain strength to cast away that which is no longer useful
 and bear the fruits  of a new life and new insight.”

Have a small feast (for me hot cross buns and orange juice) and offering  to
Mother Earth.

Close the circle.

 
 

Ostara History  and Lore

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