ostara rituals

[bluewindsong]

I'm interested in hearing what others are planning as for ritual/celebrations for ostara, either on your own or with a group... i am hoping t o organize a celebration with s ome women in a circle i'm a part of, and also do soemthing on my own. I'm probably going to include planting either seeds or a tree ... and a fire lighting...
what are your plans and ideas?

[Flar's Freyja]

I received this today from Wilson's Almanac (http://www.wilsonsalmanac.com) and thought that I'd share this interesting festival that the French celebrated on February 10th.

Andrieux, France, return of Sun

At beginning of the 19th Century, villagers formally welcomed the sun’s return, as it does not shine in this Alpine region for 100 days. Four shepherds played fifes and trumpets at dawn, and would run through the village to the home of the oldest inhabitant, whereupon a ceremonial omelette was prepared.

At 10 am, an assembly formed in the market place. The villagers would form a circle around the oldest inhabitant and dance. Following this, everyone would proceed to a stone bridge and put their omelettes on the parapet.

The dancing continued until the sun appeared, then everyone offered their omelette to the great orb. After these rituals, it was time to go home and eat the omelettes. The eggs' sympathetic magic is quite apparent, as in many other cultures in which eggs (the yolks of which resemble the sun) are used at this time of year, with the renewal of the sun’s warmth.

[bluewindsong]

how is it that the sun doesn't appear for 100 days in france? don't you have to be a bit farther north, as in the arctic circle for a continuous winter darkness?
Just curious...
i like the description of the ritual though...i think i am also going to do some egg dying/painting, so many symbols of spring and rebirth and fertility:D

[Flar's Freyja]

Originally posted by bluewindsong

how is it that the sun doesn't appear for 100 days in france? don't you have to be a bit farther north, as in the arctic circle for a continuous winter darkness?
Just curious...
i like the description of the ritual though...i think i am also going to do some egg dying/painting, so many symbols of spring and rebirth and fertility:D

Hmmm.....I had a really hard time with subjects related to that in high school and college! Possibly the earth was different at the beginning of the 19th century? I know that my grandmother told me that sixty years ago we had real seasons in Oklahoma and it wasn't quite so dang hot.........

Last year we made divination eggs in our group and I posted a thread in Divination. I'll bump it up for you when I get a chance.

[Arzhela]

I too, thought that you had to go farther north to have the no sun effect, but maybe they're referring to a part of the year when the sun is obscured by clouds, or maybe (aha...this is odd but who knows...) it means that the sun never got high enough in the winter to shine on wherever they lived if they were in the shadow of a mountain.

[Flar's Freyja]

I'll look for more rituals but in the meantime here's a thread that might help:

http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1152&highlight=Spring+Equinox

[st0rm]

If its not to cold I'm going to begin working in my new garden and harvest my indoor plants

[Flar's Freyja]

Ostara Ritual
@ Lady Bridget and Lady Therese 1997

Lady Bridget (http://www.ladybridget.com/scmenu.html)

This is an excellent ritual and meditation. I'm editing and taking the ritual out since Copyright Police has requested that we don't post long rituals. Please go to the site to read the ritual - and check out the rest of the site, it's awesome.

[Flar's Freyja]

Ostara Ritual

By Golden Light of The Mystic Moon

http://www.mysticmoonmansion.com

I'm editing and taking the ritual out since Copyright Police has requested that we don't post long rituals. Please go to the website to read the ritual.

[AmbivalentMirage]

Just a small question...

Do you celebrate Ostara according to the fixed calendar date (March 21) or the Ostaran full moon? :D

I'm curious because the Ostaran full moon coincides with the Jewish festival of Purim... which would make it an exceptionally powerful time for jewitches like me. ;) hehehe

[Flar's Freyja]

That's an interesting question. We observe it on March 20th, which is the Spring Equinox (and my sister's birthday!) and if there's a full or new moon coinciding, that might make it more powerful.

Sounds like this equinox holds some very strong energy for you! Do you have something special planned?

[WynterWynd]

Full moon March 18/Purim and Ostra 20th of March

[Flar's Freyja]

Ostara Sabbat Ritual[credits]
by Rhiana Moonstar


This Sabbat recognizes the start of spring, and celebrates the Goddess, once again in her maiden aspect. This Sabbat is a time for fertility rituals, and the cutting of spring's first blossoms. The altar and the circle should be decorated with a variety of fresh flowers. Set up the altar with your usual tools, including a green potted plant, and the cauldron placed somewhere in the circle. The cauldron may be filled with fresh water and floating flowers. Light the altar candles and the incense, and cast the sacred circle. Invoke the God and the Goddess. Kneel before the altar, facing East, and gaze at the plant. Recognize it not only as a plant, but as a symbol of the awakening earth. Say:

"Blessed is the Goddess, our Mother, our provider. Now, the dark days of winter are past, and the world grows green once more. As life awakens from it's slumber, and is renewed by the power of the God and the Goddess, we thank them for all we have received from them."

Touch the plant. Connect with its energies, and feel its life. Say:

"This plant is representative of the awakening of life after its long winter slumber. May I learn to be kind to all creatures, great and small, and may I bear in my heart a warmth and understanding of all living things. Mother Goddess, Father God, teach me to revere the earth and all its treasures always."

Take part in any magick or seasonal activities that you had planned. Tradition on Ostara is the decoration of eggs. Hold the simple feast and banish the sacred circle.


Real Magick (http://www.realmagick.com/articles/98/298.html)

[Morrighana]

Originally posted by AmbivalentMirage

Just a small question...

Do you celebrate Ostara according to the fixed calendar date (March 21) or the Ostaran full moon? :D




I celebrate Ostara on the eve of March 20. It's my birthday, so I usually incorporate that into my ritual ;)

[Flar's Freyja]

bump

[Flar's Freyja]

Chryssi has started a thread in the Family forum with several links to Ostara activities for families:

http://mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25366

[Flar's Freyja]

bump