Ostara

Also known as Spring Equinox, the Vernal Equinox, Lady Day, Eostara,Easter, Alban Eiber, Pasch, Pesse, Bacchanalia.

When: Celebrated on the Spring Equinox, March 20, 21,22. When sun reaches 1 degree Aries.

Age of Holiday: 3000 B.C or older

Related Deities: Odin, Attis, Osiris, Dagda, Mithras, Orpheus, Hera, and Persephone.

Primary Focus of Sabbat/Rituals: Fertility,Sunrise ceremonies, Offerings to the goddess of spring, garden/plant blessings,balance, growth, communication.

Planetary Ruler: Mars

Herbs and Plants: Acorn, celandine,cinquefoil, croqus, daffodil, dogwood, easter lily, honeysuckle, iris, jasmine,rose, tansy, violets

Foods: Hard-boiled eggs, honeycakes, fresh fruits, milk punch, leafy green vegetables, dairy foods, apples

Incense and oils: African violet,jasmine, rose, strawberry, lotus, magnolia, ginger

Colors: Light green, lemon yellow,and pale pink

Stones: Amethyst, aquamarine,bloodstone, red jasper

Animals & Mythical creatures: Rabbits, snakes, unicorns

Foods: Hard-boiled eggs, honey cakes, fresh fruits, milk punch, leafy green vegetables, dairy foods, apples, nuts, flower dishes, sprouts.

Sabbat Ideas:

*Color Eggs for health, prosperity and wealth. Draw varies Rune symbols or 

*Bless seeds for garden and begin to germinate indoors for spring. 

* Review items in magickal cabinet and replace what is needed(do your "witchy" inventory)

*Hold ritual at sunrise.

* Keep your ashes from your Ostara eve bonfire and mix them with your soil to plant your seeds as a fertility charm

*Burying a piece of the cake then pouring a cider libation as an offering to the mother for a successful crop.

*Take a long walk in nature with no intent other than reflecting and appreciating the Magick and beauty of nature

Recipe Ideas

Deviled Eggs

Ingredients:

1 dozen eggs

1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

1/4 C. mayonnaise

1 tsp. Curry powder

1/2 tsp. white vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

Paprika

Parsley, for garnish (optional)

Preparation:

*Hard-boil the eggs and allow them to cool before peeling.

*Peel the eggs and slice each one in half lengthwise. Remove the yolks and place them in a bowl.

*Mash the yolks up with a fork, and add the Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, curry powder, vinegar and salt and pepper.

*Blend it all together.

*Gently spoon the yolk mixture into the white halves, and sprinkle with paprika.

*Garnish with parsley sprigs for serving. (optional)

Preparing for Lady Brid

We've made it to the mid-point
of the Winter dark and bleak.
From this day on the Sun
will climb and thaw the
ground and creeks.
Bless us now, oh Maiden fair,
and keep us in your loving care.
Showing signs of new life everywhere
as you awaken from your sleep. 

"The Lengthening periods of Light Awaken"
Imbolc is a cross quarter day, halfway between Yule and Ostara.

This Sabbat a great time for clearing the mind, heart, and home for the energies of 

the Triple Goddess. Brigid the Maiden aspect to be more specific. 

Altogether she was the patron of poetry, healing, metallurgy, fire, fertility, and divination.

Also known as Candlemas, Imbolg, Brigit's Day, Feast of Brighid,
Lupercus, The Festival of Lights, and the Feast of the Virgin.

Correspondences
When: February 1st/2nd (When the sun is at 15' degrees Aquarius
Age of Holiday: Unknown
Related Deities: Brigid, Brid, The Maiden, Spring Goddess, Young Lord
Nature Spirits: house faeries, both of the home itself and house plants
Herbs: blam of Gilead, hyssop, myrrh, sage, spikenard
Angelica, Basil, Bay laurel, Blackberry, Celandine,
 Coltsfoot, Heather, Iris, Myrrh, Tansy, Violets, all white or yellow flowers.
Colors: Light Blue, Violet, White, Yellow, Green.
Incense and oils: Angelica, Blackberry, Iris, Myrrh, Vanilla.
Planetary Ruler: Planetary Ruler: Saturn (classical astrology) Uranus (modern astrology)
Scents: wisteria, heliotrope
Stones: Clear Quartz, Opal, Moonstone, Aventrine, Sunstone,
 Amethyst, Bloodstone, Garnet, Ruby, Onyx, Turquoise.
Trees: rowan, laurel, cedar
Animals: Robbins, Burrowing Animals, Sheep, Lamb, Deer
Mythical Animals: Firebirds/Phoenix, Dragons, Unicorns
Birds: eagle, chickadee
Power Flow: energy working toward the surface; purification, growth, healing. 
Love the self. Accepting responsiblity for past errors, Forgiving yourself, and Making future plans.
New Growth and Renewal, Fertility, End of Winter, Purification, Offerings to Deity, Candle Rituals, Dedication Rituals (coven or self).

Ways of celebrating:

• Add a circle of white tea light candles to your altar setup, each one representing a goal you would like to achieve in the coming year. lighting each one with their own intent.
• Banish Winter by burning paper snowflakes
• Empower ice to banish negativity. as the ice melts, the negativity will drain away. make sure to pour it off your property.
• Plant seeds to be cared for indoors, or buy an indoor plant.
• Bless your pet and a safe amulet for his/her collar( for smaller animals place in a protected area on the cage)
• Purify the house with a house blessing ritual incorporated into the sabbat, or do one separately.
• make a new Brighid Cross & hang it above your doorway to invoke protection

• Do a visionquest/ meditation on the wolf totem.
• Place a besom by the front door to symbolize sweeping out the old and welcoming the new.
• In ritual, offer milk to the gods, then pour outdoors on the ground, or leave in a bowl for the animals.
•  Make a corn dolly and make a  Bride's Beds to promote fertility.
• Spring cleaning!!! Cleanse and organize your personal/sacred space!!!
• Place 3 ears of corn on the door as a symbol of the Triple Goddess leave until Ostara.
• Make dream pillows for everyone in the family
• Have an "Imbolc Yard Sale"

 FOOD RECIPES

ROSE - HIP WINE

3 pounds of rose hips

3 pounds of sugar

1 gallon boiling water

 Wash the rose hips and cut them in half. Put them in large bowl and pour boiling water on them. Stir well with wooden spoon. Cover bowl and leave for two weeks. Strain off liquid into another bowl and add three pounds of sugar. Stir until dissolved. Cover bowl and leave for 5 days, stirring daily. Bottle, remembering to cork loosely at first, and store in a cool, dark place. Push in corks when wine has finished fermenting. It will be ready to drink in 6 months.

 Returning Sun Spice Bread

 1 1/4 cup flour

1/8 cup poppyseeds

2 tsp. baking powder

3/4 cup raisins, plain or golden

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 cup butter/margarine

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

3/4 cup Karo golden corn syrup

1/2 cup light brown sugar

4 tbs. milk

1 large egg, beaten

1 tsp. mixed spices**

 **Equal parts of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.

 Sift the flour, soda, and baking powder into a non-metal bowl. Add the mixed spice and ginger. Next add the brown sugar and raisins. Mix. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. In a small sauce pan, melt the butter and the syrup over a low heat, then pour liquid into the well in the middle of the flour mixture. Add the beaten egg and the milk, and mix very well. Pour into a well greased 2-lb loaf pan and bake in a preheated oven at 325 degrees for 40-50 minutes. This bread can be made the night before as it improves with age. Makes 8-10 servings.

Imbolc Ritual Cake

 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 tbs. poppyseeds

1 tbs. grated lemon peel

1 tsp. baking soda

2 tbs. lemon juice

1/2 tsp. salt

powdered sugar

 This is all done in one pan, so clean up is a breeze! Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix flour, sugar, poppyseeds, baking soda, and salt with a fork in an ungreased 9"x9"x2" baking pan. Stir in the remaining ingredients, except the powdered sugar. Bake 35-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, and the top is golden brown. Remove from oven and cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Makes 8 servings.

 Herbal Blends

Aquarius Incense

1 part Sandalwood

1 part Cypress

1 part Pine resin

Elemental Fire Incense

3 parts Frankincense

2 parts Dragon's Blood

1 part Red Sandalwood

1 pinch Saffron or Orange peel

 few drops of musk oil

House Purification

3 parts Frankincense

2 parts Dragon's Blood

1 part Myrrh

1 par Sandalwood

1 part Sage

Imbolc Incense

3 parts Frankincense

2 parts Dragon's Blood

1/2 part Red Sandalwood

1 part Cinnamon

few drops of red wine (optional)

Aquarius Oil

5 drops of Lavender

1 drop Cypress

1 drop Patchouli

Elemental Fire Oil

3 drops Ginger

2 drops Rosemary

1 drop Clove

1 drop Petigrain

Initiation Oil

3 drops of Frankincense

3 drops Myrrh

1 drop Sandalwood

Purification Oil

4 drops Eucalyptus

2 drops Camphor

1 drop Lemon

Sabbat Oil

3 drops Frankincense

2 drops Myrrh

2 drops Sandalwood

1 drop Orange

1 drop Lemon

Planetary Saturn Oil

4 drops Cypress

2 drops Patchouli

1 drop Myrrh