Cross-culturally, the spring season is a time to celebrate renewal, rebirth, fertility, abundance, and the coming summer. šš£š°Ostara, also known as "Äostre" and later on "Easter",Ā has originsĀ tied to the Ancient Germanic Goddess and Astarte.Ā As one of the eight Neopagan Sabbats (aka "celebrations") comprising the Pagan Wheel of the Year,Ā this Sabbat commemorates the renewal of Spring following the desolation of winter. Ostara/Ā ÄostreĀ embodies the fresh vitality of the spring season, depicted as the youthful Maiden of Spring...
March is the Month of the Vernal Equinox when we leave the long dormant days of Winter behind, and celebrate the return of the dawning Springtime Sun. This story has played out over time through the tales of Jesusā Resurrection, Inannaās underworld descent and subsequent Springtime return, and countless other stories illustrating the seasonal transition from a period of Winter death back to a fertile Spring of new life, hope, and rebirth. This is a time to celebrate the bounty of the sun! Oddly enough, many of us are feeling anxious about the symbolically related Corona Virus. Let me shed some light...
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Ostara,Ā ÄostreĀ who stemmed from Astarte is both an Ancient Germanic Goddess and one of the eight Neopagan Sabbats which make up the Pagan Wheel of the Year. The Sabbat, or Holiday celebrates the re-birth of Spring after the barren winter season. The face of the Goddess Ostara is the Virginal Maiden of Spring, the smiling celestial crescent, emerging in the sky from the black horizon of winter. One must imagine the ancient European Winters to truly appreciate the return of this gentle fertility Goddess. To get through the barren season, families would store grains, nuts, dried meats and herbs for their survival. This preserved prosperity directly from the land equated with the sustaining of life when external conditions i.e. weather did not support it.Ā ÄostreĀ emerges from the rich Pagan...Ā
When we talk about a relationship toĀ plantsĀ and cultivating a personal relationship, we are talking about a practice in self-trust, patience and activating a muscle that many of our lineages have been severed from. When we want to develop a relationship to a plant, there is no definitive guide, but I do believe that whatever you are called to: whether itās a bloom that keeps appearing in your life or a plant name you keep wondering about; thatās the place to start. Lastly, āmedicineā is more than what you can buy at the drugstore. Music can be medicine and so can laughter. Medicine is anything with a vibration that heals or teaches or both...
With spring we welcome greener days ahead while plants seem to wake up from their winter slumber with emerging buds and blossoms as symbols of new growth. The energies are more active as animals and humans seem to awaken into more activity, and even the bees return to their pollination cycle. While we have not yet arrived at the heat of Summer, instead we can enjoy the balanced energies of Equinox as the Sun seems to suspend in time.Ā