March 2015 March brings Ostara, the Spring Equinox, and an opportunity to bring our lives into balance. Ostara/Spring Equinox/Solar EclipseMarch 20, 2015 Ostara is a maiden, lunar, and fertility goddess, the personification of springtime. On the vernal equinox ancient Teutonic/Saxon tribes celebrated winter’s departure with a festival dedicated to Ostara, Goddess of the Dawn. Also known as Eostre and Eastre, Ostara’s arrival symbolized birth, rebirth, and renewal. These concepts, along with Ostara’s name and principal symbols — the egg and the hare — were later appropriated by Christians and incorporated into their celebration of Easter. Magical ForcesThe moon entering Aries adds passion and fire to Ostara’s inherent forces: fertility and new beginnings. The equinox, when night and day are in perfect balance, is an excellent time to examine the forces propelling your life and bring them into balance. An Elemental Balancing Ritual“What is out of balance in my life?” Traditions dating back to Plato and First Nations Tribes refer to five elements. Ellwood adds other driving forces (in purple) to which I augment (in green): Meditate on which element is out of balance in your life. Is it one of the above, or another elemental force? During your inward journey, ask to meet a guide that can help you mediate your chosen force/energy. Ellwood suggests working with this guide for one year. Set up an altar (large or small) where you can check-in with your guide each day and set the intention to bring your chosen elemental force into balance. Keep a journal. Love AltarIf this is your chosen elemental force, consider boosting the magic with a vase of daffodils. Their magical properties include love, fertility, and luck and as spring bulbs, they honor Ostara. Add rose quartz, which resonates with the heart chakras and is often used in love magic. Which elemental force would you add? |