Ostara

Interestingly, the goddess Eostre, who is the spring lunar goddess, has chosen the rabbit as her sacred animal. There are many similarities between the Vernal Equinox and Easter, (as is true with many of the Christian holidays).

The coming of spring. The air doesn't seem as heavy with winter, tiny buds begin appearing on some trees and bushes. Spring flowers commence their assent into bloom. Hearts unfurl from the darkness of winter, opening to the preamble of spring.

Once again, the magick of the seasons is felt by young and old, wild and tame, and earth and sky. This is a time for celebration, a time to rejoice with the new life and the new beginnings. This is the perfect time to plant things, either magickal gardens or just seeds to be planted outdoors later in the spring, after the seedlings start their growth. This is also a time for balance. Light and dark, night and day are equal. People tend to acknowledge the light, more, to embrace the ending of winter. The light wakes people up to the new realms of possibilities, and to the future, as the light over takes the dark on the days following the spring solstice. As the light takes over, new life surges into existance as all living things feast on a banquet of sunlight.

Something that I enjoy doing on this day, is taking a walk, through a park or along a nature trail, glorifying in the new life that can be seen. In the town where I live, there is a beautiful park, and every spring, they hold the Tulip Festival. Every year, they import thousands of tulips and plant them in this park. The park itself is magickal. There is a small pond in the middle, and all year round, there are ducks and swans. Trees abound throughout the park with small bushes and flowers toping off the beauty.

I have read about natural ways of coloring eggs in celebration of this powerful day. Decorated eggs symbolize fertility, prosperity, and can be made into protective amulets. Eggs have a special meaning, as they represent the Sun God and the White Goddess. The yellow portion of the egg depicts the Sun God in all His glory and the white portion epitomizes the White Goddess and Her protection of the Sun God.

So, as the ember dies in the fire, so sleeps the Winter as Spring comes to its fruition. Welcome oh beautiful springtime. I am so ready for your arrival!!!