Today is Ostara although I celebrated with my class yesterday at Esoterica in Leesburg. It was wonderful to get out after being in the house for two days without the internet, taking care of a very sick baby and dazing out from sleep deprivation.
For our ritual we started by opening a standard circle, calling the corners and elements, chanting and what not and then we wrote a goal we wished to work on this year on a piece of paper. Which we folded, lite on fire and then dropped it in a small pot we had planted seeds in. Our teacher then smashed the ashes with her athame (small sword) into the soil of the pot. So that as the plant grows we can focus and remember our goal. After we closed the circle we munched on chocolate and pastry. I was surprised though not many people brought stuff to share. My hazelnut eggs were popular. Which I'm glad because they were eaten and less temping to me. lol I bought a book about Ostara for Sakura when she's a little older. I plan on doing that for each of the eight Sabbats. It was fun and I'll post a cute story our teacher told us as soon as I dig it up. Here's a little description about Ostara for those who aren't familiar with it.
Ostara takes place on the Spring Equinox and is the second spring festival. It is a celebration of rebirth, renewal and fertility as the Mother Goddess has returned to her maiden status and reunites with the young God; together they plant the seeds of the coming year in her womb. Although this festival doesn't have a strong historical connection, it is traditionally the time the ground is prepared and the early, harder crops are planted. In modern times is a time when projects are organized and set into motion.
As a time of balance of not only day and night, but of the masculine and feminine energy, it is a time for new beginnings or revitalizing old projects. Many prosperity rituals are performed on this day as a way of connecting personal success to the fertility of the seasons. As the days grow longer and the crops grow to eventually bear fruit, so shall the person be blessed with their needs and wants being granted.
Celebrations include lighting fires, ringing bells and hard-boiled eggs. The eggs represent the Goddess of Fertility. The whites represent the feminine, while the yoke represents the masculine. Eggs were gathered to be used as talismans or ritually eaten as a fertility blessing. This day is also special to the Goddess Eostre; her patron animal was the hare. The hare and rabbit's represent fertility and prosperity.
Using many of the traditional pagans symbols and traditions, Christians created Easter. Although there are several differences in the traditions, the primary focus is on rebirth and growth.
