Ostara

I am so ready for spring. Here in the Ozarks there are definitive signs. There is the mass of yellow daffodils in my backyard, crocuses in varying shades of purple, peeper frogs and masses of robins. And let’s not forget those cute little skunks with raging hormones and very little brains. Their remains litter the side of the highways. Poor creatures.

With the Spring Equinox upon us this weekend, I find myself referring to Llewellyn’s Sabbats Almanac. You can find info about the book here: http://tinyurl.com/yafcagb

The article on the Spring Equinox was written by a fellow writer, Deborah Blake (see her link to the right). Deborah provides us with excellent background on Ostara (pronounced Oh-STAR-Ah).

As I lean more toward the Celtic origin of many of my beliefs, I am most drawn to Deborah’s explanation of Ostara being referred to by the Celts as Lady Day. Lady Day celebrates the return of the Goddess after her winter hibernation. “Many of the early myths reflected the feeling of abandonment that people felt during the dark, cold myths of winter, and their joy at the return of the light and warmth which they associated with their gods.”

Balance is one of many magickal associations with this sabbat. We are shifting to the equality of lightness and of darkness, between the God and Goddess energies and of the meeting of worlds.

Now is the time to strive for balance in our life. Awaken ourselves to the possibilities all around us. Deborah sums it best when she says, “If Samhain is the sabbat that allows Pagans to acknowledge the darker side of life, then Ostara is one in which we embrace the light, opening ourselves to the energy of a reawakening Earth.” (from Llewellyn’s Sabbats Almanac pg. 125)

Be prepared for great things.
Many Blessings
Rain