Ostara

Spring is in the air, I can feel it! Even in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, there are signs letting us all know we will thaw out eventually!

This weekend, we will be celebrating Ostara, otherwise known as the Spring Equinox. You might be wondering, “Say, don’t you mean Easter?” No I don’t. Being as politically correct as possible: what do chocolate bunnies and colored eggs really have to do with a dying man? Answer: NOTHING!

Those are traditions that have been around long before Jesus might have ever crawled out of a tomb.

This is the time of year where we start to celebrate new life. The image of the egg shows the potential growth for the coming year. Dyeing the eggs bright colors is twofold. It can represent the buds of the flowers starting to grow and bloom. (We need that in Minnesota since there is still snow on the ground, too cold for flowers yet.) And it’s a way to help cement the things that you want to bring into your life this year. Dyeing an egg pink for love, green for health, etc…

There is also a fun little activity that you can do with eggs only at the equinox. Take a raw egg and find a nice flat surface. The floor of your kitchen or cement outside works well. And minutes before through minutes after the true equinox you will be able to balance the egg standing up! (Put the fatter side facing down) This exercise is a good way to visually see how the world is shifting from dark to light.

All winter we have been in the dream time, the dark time. It has been a time for us to catch needed rest and relaxation, and start to plan out our goals for the coming year. In the tradition of my coven, we follow the lovely Persephone out of Hades and into the world once again full of life.

As you make the transition for yourself out of the dream time, think on these questions: Are there things in your life that you do not want to bring with you into the coming year? Are there actions or habits that you would like to get rid of? If there are, as you make that walk out of Hades yourself, leave those unwanted things behind. Let them stay with the dead deep in the earth as we welcome the spring and new life again. You can even light a candle to represent that the light is here.

So enjoy your Ostara baskets! Color those eggs! Laugh with the joy that spring is almost here!

Bright Blessings