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OSTARA
(pronounced O-STAR-ah) is
one of the Lesser Wiccan Sabbats, and is usually celebrated on the Vernal or
Spring Equinox right around March 21 (although because of its origins, may
instead be celebrated on the fixed date of March 25). Other names by which this
Sabbat may be known are Oestara, Eostre's Day, Rite of Eostre, Alban Eilir,
Festival of the Trees, and Lady Day. The Christian holiday of Easter is very
near this same time, (notice the similarity in name?), and is determined as the
first Sunday after the first Full Moon after the Vernal Equinox. The name
for this Sabbat actually comes from that of the Teutonic lunar Goddess, Eostre.
Her chief symbols were the bunny (for fertility and because the Ancient Ones
who worshipped her often saw the image of a rabbit in the full moon), and the
egg (representing the cosmic egg of creation). This is where the customs of
"Easter Eggs" and the "Easter Bunny" originated. Ostara is
a time to celebrate the arrival of Spring, the renewal and rebirth of Nature
herself, and the coming lushness of Summer. It is at this time when light and
darkness are in balance, yet the light is growing stronger by the day. The
forces of masculine and feminine energy, yin and yang, are also in balance at
this time. At this
time we think of renewing ourselves. We renew our thoughts, our dreams, and our
aspirations. We think of renewing our relationships. This is an excellent time
of year to begin anything new or to completely revitalize something. This is
also an excellent month for prosperity rituals or rituals that have anything to
do with growth. In the
Pagan Wheel of the Year, this is the time when the great Mother Goddess, again
a virgin at Candlemas, welcomes the young Sun God unto her and conceives a
child of this divine union. The child will be born nine months later, at Yule,
the Winter Solstice. For
Wiccans and Witches, Ostara is a fertility festival celebrating the birth of
Spring and the reawakening of life from the Earth. The energies of Nature
subtly shift from the sluggishness of Winter to the exuberant expansion of
Spring. Eostre, the Saxon Goddess of fertility, and Ostara, the German Goddess
of fertility are the aspects invoked at this Sabbat. Some Wiccan traditions worship
the Green Goddess and the Lord of the Pagan customs
such as the lighting of new fires at dawn for cure, renewed life, and
protection of the crops still survive in the Southern Americas as well as in There is
much symbolism in eggs themselves. The golden orb of its yolk represents the
Sun God, its white shell is seen as the White Goddess, and the whole is a
symbol of rebirth. The Goddess Eostre's patron animal was the hare. And
although the references are not recalled, the symbolism of the hare and
rabbit's associations with fertility are not forgotten. The Spring Equinox is a
time of new beginnings, of action, of planting seeds for future grains, and of
tending gardens. Spring is a time of the Earth's renewal, a rousing of nature
after the cold sleep of winter. As such, it is an ideal time to clean your home
to welcome the new season. "Spring cleaning" is much more than simply
physical work. It may be seen as a concentrated effort to rid your home of the
problems and negativity of the past months, and to prepare for the coming
spring and summer. To do this, many Pagans approach the task of cleaning their
homes with positive thoughts. This frees the home of any negative feelings
brought about by a harsh winter. A common rule of thumb for Spring cleaning is
that all motions involving scrubbing of stains or hand rubbing the floors
should be done "clockwise". Pagans believe this custom aids in
filling the home with good energy for growth. Appropriate
Deities for Ostara include all Youthful and Virile Gods and Goddesses, Sun
Gods, Mother Goddesses, Love Goddesses, Moon Gods and Goddesses, and all
Fertility Deities. Some Ostara Deities to mention by name here include
Persephone, Blodeuwedd, Eostre, Aphrodite, Athena, Cybele, Gaia, Hera, Isis,
Ishtar, Minerva, Venus, Robin of the Woods, the Green Man, Cernunnos, Lord of
the Greenwood, The Dagda, Attis, The Great Horned God, Mithras, Odin, Thoth,
Osiris, and Pan. Key
actions to keep in mind during this time in the Wheel of the Year include
openings and new beginnings. Spellwork for improving communication and group
interaction are recommended, as well as fertility and abundance. Ostara is a
good time to start putting those plans and preparations you made at Imbolc into
action. Start working towards physically manifesting your plans now. The most
common colors associated with Ostara are lemon yellow, pale green and pale
pink. Other appropriate colors include grass green, all pastels, Robin's egg
blue, violet, and white. Stones to
use during the Ostara celebration include aquamarine, rose quartz, and
moonstone. Animals associated with Ostara are rabbits and snakes. Mythical
beasts associated with Ostara include unicorns, merpeople, and pegasus. Plants
and herbs associated with Ostara are crocus flowers, daffodils, jasmine, Irish
moss, snowdrops, and ginger. For
Ostara incense, you could make a blend from any of the following scents or
simply choose one... jasmine, frankincense, myrrh, dragon's blood, cinnamon,
nutmeg, aloes wood, benzoin, musk, African violet, sage, strawberry, lotus,
violet flowers, orange peel, or rose petals. Foods in
tune with this day (linking your meals with the seasons is a fine way of
attuning with Nature) include eggs, egg salad, hard-boiled eggs, honey cakes,
first fruits of the season, fish, cakes, biscuits, cheeses, honey and ham. You
may also include foods made of seeds, such as sunflower, pumpkin and sesame
seeds, as well as pine nuts. Sprouts are equally appropriate, as are leafy,
green vegetables. From
Scott Cunningham: flower dishes such as stuffed nasturtiums or carnation
cupcakes also find their place here. (Find a book of flower cooking or simply
make spice cupcakes. Ice with pink frosting and place a fresh carnation petal
on each cupcake. Stuff nasturtium blossoms with a mixture made of cream cheese,
chopped nuts, chives and watercress.) Appropriate Ostara meat dishes should
contain fish or ham. May the
Lord and Lady bless you all with fertility, abundance, success, and all things
new! --- Não leve nada pro lado pessoal. Apenas divirta-se. Comentários: www.yahoogroups.com/group/goldenlist-L/messages Newsletter: www.yahoogroups.com/group/goldenlist/messages
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