- Candle Magic
- Wheel Of The Year
- Samhain/Halloween
- Autumn Equinox/Mabon
- Spring Equinox/Ostara
- Imbolc/Candlemas
- The Wiccan Rede
- Mercury in Retrograde Dates
- Making Incense
- Moon Phases
- Colour Correspondences
- Essential Oil - Magickal Properties
- Crystal and Stone Properties
- For Warding Off Colds
- Stargazer Semi Permanent Hair Dyes
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Spring Equinox/Ostara
Spring Equinox – Ostara – March 20th - 22nd
Spring Equinox is also known as Ostara, Ostre, Oestre, Eostre, Eostra's Day, Lady Day, Rites of Spring, Fierst Day Of Spring amongst others. It falls March 20th – 22nd, in the Northern Hemisphere.
It is one of the four solar festivals that mark a seasonal change caused by the sun.
The Sabbat typically celebrates the beginning of Spring and the fertility of the land. It is a time of balance – the day is equal to the night, with the light on the increase.
It is about new life and growth. The Goddess is in her Maiden aspect and becomes fertile along with the young adult God.
Symbolism
Balance, new beginnings, fertility, new life and rebirth, growth, the beginning of Spring, planting, love.
Godesses
All love, virgin and fertility Godesses, of which there are many. The following are a few; Aphrodite, Athena, Blodeuwedd, Eostre, Isis, Venus, Persephone.
Gods
All fertility, love, song and dance Gods, of which there are many. The following are a few; Adonis, Cernunnos, Odin, Dagda, Thoth, Pan.
Animals & Mythical Beasts
Rabbits/bunnies, hares, snakes, chicks, lambs, merpeople, unicorns.
Foods
Eggs! Seeds, sprouts, honey cake, hot cross buns, lamb, leafy green vegetables.
Plants & Herbs
Crocus, daffodil, dogwood, irsh moss, hyssop, iris, narcissus, tansy, violet, rose, lavender, thyme, lovage, vervain, marjoram, lemon balm, primrose, willow, orris root. There are many more including all spring flowers.
Incense & Oils
Jasmine, rose, strawberry, african violet, magnolia, ginger, frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, narcissus, nutmeg, cinnamon, broom, aloe wood.
Stones
Agate, amethyst, lapis lazuli, aquamarine, garnet, rose quartz, red jasper, clear quartz, amazonite, moonstone.
Colours
Pastels, green, yellow, purple.
Decorations/Symbols
Eggs, any spring flowers, baskets, pussy willow, butterflies, lambs, chicks, rabbits, hares, budding twigs, sprouting plants.
Ritual/Spell Work
Plant/seed/garden blessings, herb work, welcoming Spring, fertility rites. Spells for prosperity, fertility, new beginnings, happiness, communication.
All of the above are just some examples and it is not a complete list.
A couple of things you could do.
Sow seeds
Start a herb garden, for use in spells.
Decorate eggs
Draw symbols that represent qualities you would like for yourself, family or friends for the coming year and bury them in the garden. You can use anything you like to decorate the eggs, try natural dyes. Below are some dyes you could try.
Bluish-Gray
Mix 1 cup frozen blueberries with 1 cup water, bring to room temperature, and remove blueberries.
Blue
Cut 1/4 head of red cabbage into chunks and add to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 Tbsp. vinegar. Let cool to room temperature and remove cabbage with a slotted spoon.
Jade Green
Peel the skin from 6 red onions and simmer in 2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 3 tsp. white vinegar.
Faint Green-Yellow
Peel the skin from 6 yellow apples. Simmer in 1-1/2 cups water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.
Simmer 4 oz. chopped fennel tops in 1-1/2 cups of water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.
Orange
Take the skin of 6 yellow onions and simmer in 2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 3 tsp. white vinegar.
Faint Red-Orange
Stir 2 Tbsp. paprika into 1 cup boiling water; add 2 tsp. white vinegar.
Yellow
Rich yellow: Simmer 4 oz. chopped carrot tops in 1-1/2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.
Mustard-yellow: Stir 2 Tbsp. turmeric into 1 cup boiling water; add 2 tsp. white vinegar.
Various shades: Steep 4 bags of chamomile or green tea in 1 cup boiling water for 5 minutes.
Pale yellow: Chop 4 oz. goldenrod and simmer in 2 cups water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.
Faint yellow: Simmer the peels of 6 oranges in 1-1/2 cups water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. vinegar.
Brown-Gold
Simmer 2 Tbsp. dill seed in 1 cup water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.
Brown
Add 1 tablespoon vinegar to 1 cup strong coffee.
Pink
Faint pink: Chop 4 oz. amaranth flowers and simmer in 2 cups water; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.
Simmer the skins from 6 avocados in 1-1/2 cup water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.
Mix 1 cup pickled beet juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar.
Dark pink: Cut 1 medium beet into chunks and add to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 Tbsp. vinegar and let cool to room temperature; remove beets.
Lavender
Mix 1 cup grape juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar.