Celebrating OstaraFalling between March 20th/22nd “Ostara is an opportunity for us to pause, take breath and to focus on regaining balance in our lives, a time of renewal and great possibilities.” The sky changes from ink black to midnight blue, and in the East a golden glow heralds the first vestiges of light streaming across the landscape taking on the greening hue of nature springing back into life. The daylight will last exactly 12 hours, giving way to the night, where the hours are counted in equal measure. This is the time when Earth and Heaven are perfectly balanced ~ the spring or Vernal equinox.
As the Wheel of the Year turns towards this solar festival which celebrates balance within nature it is an opportunity to create a point of balance within our own lives and the promise of waiting potential because, from the equinox, the power of the Sun God waxes and moves us towards summer’s abundance. The name Ostara is drawn from the festival of Eostre, a Teutonic Goddess whose feast was held on the first full moon after the spring equinox. Easter, as it is known in Christian terms, is a moveable date between 22nd March and 25th April. This is because, even now, it is timed to fall on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the Vernal equinox. My own group celebrations will incorporate some of the traditional aspects associated with Ostara including the hare ~ which in modern days has been turned into the ‘Easter Rabbit’ ~ and the egg, an ancient symbol of many of the world’s spring festivals. Within its shell is contained all the archetypal connections mankind has held sacred ~ life, death, renewal, completion and wholeness.  Central to the preparations is the gathering of seasonal greenery, including primroses and daffodils which reflect Gaia’s regeneration; this is arranged on the altar draped in green.
An image of the sacred hare is used during a ritual. We write on the reverse of the square of paper any accumulated pain, hurt or negativity energy. These are burnt in the transformational flames of the cauldron and on an energy level the hare with its swiftness  of foot symbolically bounds and leaps across Mother Earth dispelling anything which needs to be cleared. Wish candles are dedicated and infused with our intentions, anointed with the magickal Ostara oil and lit within our own homes later, igniting our hopes and dreams to be carried to the Universe to manifest into form as the light and energy builds as the cycle turns.
 Integral to any form of energy work is the ability to focus and to achieve an altered state of awareness. One of the most powerful messages to the subconscious is to fill the environment with the gorgeous aroma of freshly made incense and hand blended oils, each ingredient is chosen to encapsulate the season. We would use frankincense resin, dried primroses and violets, aromatic dried herbs and a little jasmine oil. Throughout many cultures eggs are decorated, the colours chosen representing different properties. It is lovely to use naturally sourced dyes, but the colours obtained will not be as intense as commercial. For example, red cabbage will produce robin’s egg blue, bracken a green colour, daffodil blossoms yellow- green. Also the use of natural herbs can be used to help empower the eggs to assist with specific magickal tasks.
The decorated eggs are then halved and placed in one’s garden or open space as an offering to the elemental energies which play such an important role during any celebration. Ostara is an opportunity for us to pause, take breath and to focus on regaining balance in our lives, a time of renewal and great possibilities.
Merry Meet!
© Text & photographs Marian Preselo 2008  Marian is a natural intuitive and "wise woman", she walks the ways between this world and the realms of the unseen with ease and many people call upon her skills not only as a professional Holistic Healer, but also in helping them resolve paranormal incidents. Marian runs workshops and does much to make "the old ways" accessible to those who show an interest in this gentle path of spirituality. She lives in the ancient market town of Wimborne, in a smuggler's house that has been occupied by four generations of her family
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