Osterraeder - Ostara Wheel
Make a wheel of plaited straw and stuff it with the detrius of the past 12 months. If you don't have anything to use, why not write down on pieces of paper the things that happened, both good and bad? Then out an inscription to Ostara, honouring her, and pin this to the wheel. Decorate it with whatever new-sprung flowers and shoots you can find. This is your Wheel of the Year.
The eve of the equinox, feast and celebrate through with your family and friends. In the wee hours of the morning throw your wheels onto the fire and invoke Ostara. During this time you should verbally share the good and the bad of the year. This is the time to raise old enmities and "throw them into the fire". It is also the time to proclaim the wonderful things that have happened, and what you love about each other. As the morning approaches, have breakfast together, but spend the time in companionable silence as you think about what Ostara's Day means to you. As the day dawns, walk outside to greet Ostara as she rises in the east with the sun.
~ submitted by: Avril H.
Spring Potpourri
This potpourri takes about 6 weeks to fully cure - which makes it an ideal blend to use during Beltaine. Making it now is a wonderful family activity. Try and dry your own petals for future versions. I often take my nieces into the garden to gather blossoms for drying - it's a lovely way to spend the afternoon in spring, summer, and autumn. The ingredients can also be purchased at good herbal stores.
2 1/2 cups dried rose petals
2 1/2 cups dried mint leaves - not the almost powdered version sold as a herb
4 tablespoons dried rue sprigs
2 1/2 cups dried rose buds
4 tablespoons rosemary flowers and leaves
1/4 vanilla bean
2 tablespoons orris root
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
5 drops rose oil
5 drops rosemary oil
1 drop patchouli oil
Chop the vanilla bean up finely and then mix with the orris root, cinnamon, and cloves. Mix the oils up thoroughly as well.
In a lovely glass jar, layer rosepetals, mint, rue, rosebuds, and rosemary. Between each layer sprinkle a little of the powdered spice and a drop of the oil. Top with a layer of rose petals and a few rosebuds. You can also add some dried lavender flowers for texture.
Seal the jar and put in a cool dark place for 6 weeks. It is then ready to use.
~ submitted by: Callum Mostyn.
Adapted from "Aromatherapy: Revitalizing Mind & Body With Natural Fragrances", by Jo Richardson (Editor). Thunder Bay Press (CA) (August 1, 2001).
Potted Planting Runes
Choose a rune, or two or three, that most closely sums up what it is you wish to grow in your life. Prepare a pot of soil by visualizing your good energy entering into the soil as you fill the pot. Smooth the surface of the soil and then make shallow holes for the seeds (choose herbs or other plants that will magnify or solidify the meaning of the runes you have chosen) 1/4 inch deep. Hold the seeds in your hand and breathe into them, infusing them with your hopes. Plant them in the shape of the rune, visualizing concrete things you intend to do during the next few weeks to make your wish become reality. Then water them well, cover the pot with plastic wrap, and put it on top of the refrigerator (the warmth will help the sprouting process) or a warm sunny place.
~ submitted by: Asva Gujeswari.
Adapted from "Celebrating the Great Mother", by Cait Johnson and Maura D. Shaw. Destiny Books (October 1, 1995).
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Ostara Eve Ritual
On Ostara Eve, light a purple candle and burn patchouli incense. Carry them both through the house and say:
"Farewell to wintry spirits and friends;
On marrow we greet the spirits of spring.
Our blessings to thee as your way you wend;
and merry we'll meet next winter again."
Blow out the candle and say: "Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again."
~ submitted by: anon.
Mothering Day - 21st March
The British custom of Mothering Day originated in the Middle Ages when the people were instructed to return to their Mother Church - the one they were raised in. Over time it became a day to visit one's actual mother - often with a gift. This gift usually took the form of Simnel cake. Since March is the Equinox, and a time to honour the Great Mothers, why not make Simnel cake and share it with the mother of your home and/or the goddess of your heart?
6 oz butter
6 oz sugar
3 beaten eggs
8 oz plain flour
1/2 tsp grated nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
4 oz glace cherries
2 oz chopped mixed peel
9 oz currants
4 oz sultanas/golden raisins
1 lb almond paste (optional)
A little milk if necessary
Cream together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Beat in the eggs slowly. Fold in the flour and spices. Add the fruit and fold in. Add a teaspoon or two of milk if too firm.
Line and grease a 7 inch round cake tin.
Roll out half the almond paste to a 16 cm circle. Spoon half of the cake mixture into the cake tin. If using, put the almond paste circle on top of the cake mixture. Then add the rest of the cake mixture. Bake until dark brown and firm.
Once the cake is cool, roll out the rest of the almond paste into an 18 cm circle. Place the circle on top of the cake and brown quickly under a hot grill.
~ Callum Mostyn.
Eggshell Votives
eggshells
gravel or sand
wax, melted
wicks
Carefully crack open eggshells (one inch from narrow end) and set aside yolk and whites for cooking. Rinse and carefully rub away membrane and let dry in egg carton. Melt wax and carefully pour into eggshells. Insert wicks. When cooled set the eggshell candles in a shallow dish that has been filled with gravel or sand. Gently settle candles into the gravel or sand. Light the candles, dim the lights and enjoy their luminescense during your Ostara or Equinox ritual.
~ submitted by: Heather P.
"The first day of spring was once the time for taking the young virgins
into the fields, there in dalliance to set an example in fertility for nature to follow."
~ E.B. White, "Hot Weather," 1944. |
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Egg Balancing
raw, washed eggs
a flat surface
There is an old wive's tale that an egg can be stood upon its end during the vernal equinox - some relationship of the universal forces whereby the earth, sun, and moon are all in perfect harmony.
The reality is that an egg can be balanced thus any day or time of the year - it has nothing to do with any mystical confluence of the universe. Still, it's a cool idea and a lot of fun to try. Just make sure you're willing to clean up some eggy mess, and ready to try a few times. It can happen instantly or take forever!
Place the egg on its base on a flat surface. Keep your fingers loosely cupped about it as you gently position it upright and then slowly remove your hand. It may take a while, and a number of tumbles, but eventually your egg will cease its random gyrations and wobbles and remain perfectly upright.
Although it can be done anytime, I like to do it on the equinox just for the symbolism of balancing an egg on the day of balance.
~ Iphigenia.
Marbled Eggs
boiled eggs
boiling water
food colouring
white vinegar
olive oil
Decide how many colours you wish to use, and then fill a bowl as follows for each one:
Mix 1/2 cup boiling water, 6-9 drops food colouring, 1/2 teaspoon olive oil, and 1 teaspoon white vinegar.
Add an egg to the mixture and let it sit until it reaches the colour you want. Remove and let dry. If you want to add further colour, place in a different bowl for a few minutes.
These make a wonderful addition to the Equinox meal.
With smaller children you can use markers instead - place the egg in an eggcup and let them create a masterpiece.
 
~ submitted by: Catherine M.
Chocolate Eggs
raw, washed eggs
a needle - preferably thick.
cooking chocolate
small cooking candies such as toffee and marshmallows
Puncture the egg shell at the narrow end. Then flip and make a slightly larger hole at the base - it should be about 1/8th of an inch wide. Insert the needle and wiggle it around to break the yolk. Place your fingers over the two holes and shake vigourously. Upend the egg over a bowl and place your mouth against the smaller hole. Blow hard and force the yolk and white out. Once empty, wash thoroughly. Repeat with the other eggs.
Melt the chocolate and when liquid, pour it into the egg. If the hole is too small, widden it a bit. You may find it easier it use a measuring cup with a lip or a spoon to pour. 1/3 fill the egg and then roll it about to get chocolate all over the inner shell. Continue rolling slowly and coating it until the chocolate sets. If the larger hole has sealed up, open it again and then carefully insert the small candies. Add a bit more chocolate and roll again. Use some semi-set chocolate to seal the end.
To decorate you can either paint the egg, or use a small drop of wax to cover both holes and then marble it.
~ Catherine M.
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