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Northern Hemisphere - 20th -23rd march
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Ostara - spring equinox
If I am being super honest Ostara is one of my favouite times of year. The winter boots are quickly put away and the flips flops come out for the season. I love all turns of the wheel as you know but with my birthday being near Ostara I always seem to feel a strong connection to this time of the year, plus shoulder seasons can seem slower in some ways. So let's open the windows after the cocooning of winter and welcome the returning of the light!
What is Ostara? In case you've never heard of Ostara, it's a holiday, known as a sabbat. It's the spoke in the Wheel of the Year marked by the spring or vernal equinox. It's the day when night and day are equal but from this point the moons power is waning and the sun is getting stronger as the hours of light increase.
fertility returns to the land as the life force gathers strength as the sap rises.
At this time it is often costumary to plant the first seeds. Now is a good time symbolically plant new seeds for your life and to make plans for the months ahead.
Are you thinking that word sounds a lot like Easter? That's not a coincidence.
The spring festival honoring the goddess Eostre predates the festival of Easter. This is a time of fertility and new life. Ever wonder where the Easter bunny and Easter eggs came from? These are Ostara traditions, both symbolizing fertility and abundance. Of course, our current version of Ostara is based on a mixture of myth and more modern traditions. To me, it's an opportunity to pause and show gratitude for the change in seasons and the bursting abundance of nature. It's the time of year where I usually begin new projects and find that the potential in the air is so tangible I can almost touch it.
Are you thinking that word sounds a lot like Easter? That's not a coincidence.
The spring festival honoring the goddess Eostre predates the festival of Easter. This is a time of fertility and new life. Ever wonder where the Easter bunny and Easter eggs came from? These are Ostara traditions, both symbolizing fertility and abundance. Of course, our current version of Ostara is based on a mixture of myth and more modern traditions. To me, it's an opportunity to pause and show gratitude for the change in seasons and the bursting abundance of nature. It's the time of year where I usually begin new projects and find that the potential in the air is so tangible I can almost touch it.
ostara is a time for the celebration of expansion & real growth as we welcome the perfect balance between dark & light.
How you celebrate or acknowledge Ostara is really a personal preference, and I never want to tell you what to do, I would rather plant seeds of remembering with you and leave you with enough tools and ideas to celebrate in a way that feels good for you. (If it doesn't feel good then what is the point in doing it?) Here are some key ideas for Ostara but please do interpret it in your own inutitive way.
Colours: Predominantly Pastel Shades of Pink, Green, Yellow and also White.
Plants & Herbs: Daffodils, Honeysuckle, Lilies and Lemon Balm.
Incense for Ostara: Rose, Strawberry, Sandalwood, Jasmine, Violet.
Crystals: Clear Quartz, Rose Quartz, Agate, Amazonite and Jasper.
Food & Drink: Eggs, Spinach, Lettuce, Seeds and Light Breads, flower or seed based treats are always a favourite in this house.
other things that you can do as a family for ostara..
Here are a few of our favorites Ideas & rituals for all the family:
Coloring Eggs - You may think this eggs is for children, but many Ostara traditions include eggs. It really is a universal sign of fertility and abundance. To add a little more magick to this you can draw sigils or runes with a white crayon before you dip them into your favorite color dyes. Use them to decorate your alter or place in the heart of your home.
Energetic Clearing - Yes - spring cleaning! This is a great time for a spot of cleaning. Spring cleaning away the dust bunnies and the old to make room for all of the amazing things to come through the new year. This is the perfect time to make physical space in life by decluttering and energetic space by smudging. You can do alittle of each or just go all in on one aspect of life. It's your path, trust yourself.
Planting Ritual - Have you ever heard of “seed blessings”? A ritual can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like, but essentially you visualize and hold your intention while planting a seed. The perfect time to show a little love to your herb garden. We love to plant seeds around Ostara with your intentions for the year, if you plan it well you'll get a gentle reminder of those intentions around summer solstice or throughout the entire year depending on what you plant.
Ostara Meditation - Meditation is often no consdiered when you think of a ritual, but rituals are a meditation in their own right. You can use a guided meditation that you are already familiar with, simply turn inward and reflect on your intention, or you can even go on a hike or a coastal walk as a walking meditation. Note: ALL are welcome in our project earthwork Ostara gathering live on youtube and if you already have plans, come catch us on a replay.
Give thanks in writing - Pen your own short poem/prayer/note honoring the blessings of Mother Earth and Spring. Place it on your altar or share it with your circle. This is an easy ritual that you can make as personal as you like. It is fab for raising your awareness of the opportunities for new creations and growth the Spring Equinox brings.
Coloring Eggs - You may think this eggs is for children, but many Ostara traditions include eggs. It really is a universal sign of fertility and abundance. To add a little more magick to this you can draw sigils or runes with a white crayon before you dip them into your favorite color dyes. Use them to decorate your alter or place in the heart of your home.
Energetic Clearing - Yes - spring cleaning! This is a great time for a spot of cleaning. Spring cleaning away the dust bunnies and the old to make room for all of the amazing things to come through the new year. This is the perfect time to make physical space in life by decluttering and energetic space by smudging. You can do alittle of each or just go all in on one aspect of life. It's your path, trust yourself.
Planting Ritual - Have you ever heard of “seed blessings”? A ritual can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like, but essentially you visualize and hold your intention while planting a seed. The perfect time to show a little love to your herb garden. We love to plant seeds around Ostara with your intentions for the year, if you plan it well you'll get a gentle reminder of those intentions around summer solstice or throughout the entire year depending on what you plant.
Ostara Meditation - Meditation is often no consdiered when you think of a ritual, but rituals are a meditation in their own right. You can use a guided meditation that you are already familiar with, simply turn inward and reflect on your intention, or you can even go on a hike or a coastal walk as a walking meditation. Note: ALL are welcome in our project earthwork Ostara gathering live on youtube and if you already have plans, come catch us on a replay.
Give thanks in writing - Pen your own short poem/prayer/note honoring the blessings of Mother Earth and Spring. Place it on your altar or share it with your circle. This is an easy ritual that you can make as personal as you like. It is fab for raising your awareness of the opportunities for new creations and growth the Spring Equinox brings.
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ostara honey cake recipe:Ingredients For Ostara Honey Cake
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Instructions To Make Ostara honey cake
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. Sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and ginger. set aside.
- Cream together the butter and honey until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time and mix until just blended. Add the milk and reamaining mix until well blended.
- Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool in a pan on a wire rack before serving.
recipe note: I like to keep things easy & simple, just as our ancestors would have. fANCY & MODERN ISN'T ALWAYS BEST.
project earthwork 2023 - The ostara relaunch is happening!
Lots of things are changing at the moment but none are as exciting as our Project Earthwork relaunch! We have huge ideas and even bigger plans so if you aren't already subscribed to our youtube channel then get a wriggle on so you don't miss Ceryn & Yolandi's live Ostara Session!
this ostara I am planning some energy clearing on the land here in kernow... I'll drop the blog on what happens super soon. |
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