SEPTEMBER 20-23

Also known as Ostara, Eostre, Vernal(Spring) Equinox

Element: Air

Spring is really on the way, despite the nip that lingers in the air. Flowers are blooming, day and night are of equal length, but light is gaining. In the greenwood, the young God is growing to manhood, and with Him grow the green shoots and buds.

The Goddess as Maiden delights in Her youth and beauty. Energy and promise are everywhere, but each of the equinoxes is a delicate time, of questioning and finding direction. Now is a time of renewal, to take a deep breath and decide where we will concentrate our efforts.

An old story tells of the World Egg hatched by the Sun, and the egg is our symbol now. What are we going to ‘hatch’ in the coming summer?

Things to do: Hard-boil, bless and decorate eggs. Paint different symbols on them that correspond with Ostara and Wicca. Bake Hot Cross Buns or plant some seeds and watch them grow.

Correspondence

Goddesses:    Aphrodite, Astarte, Athena, Cybele, Blodeuwedd, Eostre, Gaia, Hera, Ishtar, Isis, Libera, Minerva, Persephone, Venus, Maiden, Isis, Faerie Queen, Lady of the Lake, the Green Goddess.

Gods:        Adonis, Attis, Cernunnos, The Great Horned God, Liber, Mars, Mithras, Odin, Osiris, Thoth, Pan, the Green Man, Hare, Taliesin, Lord of the Greenwood.

Colours:    All greens, yellow, gold, pale pink and blue.

Symbols:    Eggs, fertility, rabbits, flowers, seedlings, greenery and marriage.

Essence:    Strength, birthing, completion, power, love, sexuality, embodiment of spirit, fertility,opening, beginning.

Purpose:    Plant and animal fertility, sowing.

Rituals:        Garden/plant blessings, seed blessing, spell crafting, balance, growth, communication, invention, new growth, new projects.

Tools:        Eggs and incense.

Candles:    Green, yellow and gold.

Animals:    Rabbits, snakes, chicks, swallows and butterflies.

Plants:        Any springs flowers, daffodils, jonquils, woodruff, violets, olive, iris, acorns, dogwood, strawberry, rose and narcissus.

Herbs:        Ginger, honeysuckle, jasmine, peony, rose and violet.

Incense:    Jasmine, african violet, lotus, magnolia, ginger, sage, lavender, narcissus, rose, floral and strawberry.

Stones:        Jasper, amethyst, aquamarine, rose quartz, bloodstone, red jasper and moonstone.

Food:        Green vegetables, dairy, nuts, fish, seasonal fruits, dairy foods, sprouts and sweet breads/buns.

Drink:        Milk and egg drinks.