</MYMAILSTATIONERY> The Meaning of Ostara | | | Why do we celebrate? | | Spring equinox marks the first time of the year when the length of the day equals the length of the night. The exact date changes each year, but it usually falls on the 21st or 22nd of March. It's also known as Eostre, or also Lady Day. Some Pagans refer to Beltane as Lady Day, as well so try not to get confused. The name of this Sabbat comes from the Saxon Goddess of the Dawn, Eostre. Her symbols are the egg and the rabbit, and this is primarily why these fertility symbols are so prevalent even today. Coloured eggs were left as offerings to Her. The God and Goddess have grown past their childhood and are falling in love. They will not consumate their sacred marriage until Beltane, but the fertility of their joining is already celebrated. New flowers are seen, new livestock is born, new projects are started. Everything is new and bursting with life.
| | Some Ostara Traditions | | | Things to Do | | As with Yule and Christmas, Ostara is closely tied with Easter and many of the traditions that we see for Easter are actually based in Pagan practices. Colouring Eggs - Though chemical dyes are available today to give you every colour of the rainbow, people used to colour eggs with natural 'dyes' made from herbs, berries and vegetables. With a little work, you can still get any colour you could want. Spring Cleaning - The new spring warmth drives us to shed our winter clothes and it invigorates us to clean our homes. Open up windows and banish the stale winter air from your home. Eating Chocolate - My favourite tradition, and I'm sure the Goddess loves it too. In the past, sweet foods (like honey) were offered to Eostre on this day. But once this modern-day delicacy was introduced in association with Easter, it took over the holiday. Herb Gardens -To ensure a good harvest of herbs in the summer, an herbal garden should be planted at Ostara. If your local weather doesn't permit such a thing, you could plant some seeds indoors.
| | Symbols | | | Things seen at Ostara | | Colours - Pink, yellow, green Herbs - Jasmine, daffodil, irish moss Oils/Incense - Magnolia, lotus Other Symbols - Eggs, rabbits
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