What a difference a year makes! Here in northwestern NJ, last year’s never-ending-winter was still maintaining it’s snowy/icy grip at the Vernal Equinox, and now in 2012, we have had such a mild season that I can hardly even call it 'winter'. Six weeks ago at Imbolc, the daffodils were already pushing up through the unfrozen ground; this year as we approach March 21, hyacinths, daffodils, tulips and crocus are already blooming, trees are budding and decorative shrubs, roses, lilacs and viburnams have their new leaves emerging. The ground is soft and moist, but not soggy. With barely one noteworthy snowstorm this winter (excepting the freak Halloween storm that pummeled the trees and knocked out power for 8 days here) I can hear the cries of ‘drought’ in the not too distant future. For now, the world is greening again as the days lengthen and the daytime temps soar into the unseasonably warm 60’s and 70’s, as they have been doing intermittently for the last six weeks. The weather forecasters are calling for temps to be in the 80's for this Thursday, March 22. As we turn the wheel of the year, get outside and be part of this new season!
March 21st is widely-known as the Spring Equinox, one of the two days a year when the sun is directly over the equator, and when there are equal amounts of hours of daylight and nighttime. For thousands of years, indigenous populations, clans and tribal peoples and even religions have marked the beginning of spring with rituals celebrating the return of warmth, sunshine and new life.
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| Found this lovely graphic of Ostara on several sites, citing one: www.thespiritofthegoddessis.nl/ |
One ancient holiday associated with the Vernal Equinox is Ostara, which is a traditional celebration honoring the Saxon lunar goddess, Eostre. Different tribal traditions tell the story slightly differently, but the underlying thread is still the same: Eostre once rescued a wounded bird, whose feathers and wings had become totally frozen by the harsh cold of winter. Eostre changed her into a hare, enabling her to survive the winter more easily.
In keeping with her avian origins, the transformed creature was still able to lay eggs ~ and she expressed her unyielding gratitude to Eostre by decorating those eggs and giving them as a genuine gift from her heart. Is this starting to sound vaguely familiar? Good. It should. Missionaries adapted and incorporated these rituals of Ostara into the traditions of their Easter celebrations thereby hoping to convert pagans to Christianity. (Hmmm: Ostara = Eostre = Easter - similar spelling 'coincidences'?)
Pagan and Christian celebrations at this time of year share common roots with themes of death and rebirth. For Christians, the observance is the Easter death and rebirth of Christ. Ancient pagans who worshipped Cybele held a ritual for Attis, her consort of virgin birth believed to die and be reborn at this time during the spring. These rites were brought to Rome
Whatever your "Spring" holiday traditions, rituals, celebrations and/or spiritual practices may be ~ enjoy the lengthening days, the overall increasing warmth with each day, and be sure to take a moment to appreciate the gifts that each season brings. Blessed Be!
Sip this delightfully light tea when you take a few moments to get outside and be a part Spring emerging:
1/2 part dandelion leaf (supports the kidneys and bladder)
1 part nettle leaf (builds the blood)
1 part milky oats (supports the central nervous system)
2 parts hawthorn leaves and flowers (nourishes the heart muscle and supports the circulatory system)
1 part rose hips (full of Vitamin C)
1/2 part chamomile (relaxing, soothing)
pinch peppermint, optional (adds flavor)
pinch cut/sifted licorice root or one dried sliced root (synergizes all the herbs and lends a smooth feel to the tea)
Combine herbs and mix well. To make tea, use 2 teaspoons herb blend per cup of water. Steep for 15 to 20 minutes and strain. Drink up to 2 cups per day as an uplifting spring rejuvenating tea. Store any unused portion in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Sip this delightfully light tea when you take a few moments to get outside and be a part Spring emerging:
1/2 part dandelion leaf (supports the kidneys and bladder)
1 part nettle leaf (builds the blood)
1 part milky oats (supports the central nervous system)
2 parts hawthorn leaves and flowers (nourishes the heart muscle and supports the circulatory system)
1 part rose hips (full of Vitamin C)
1/2 part chamomile (relaxing, soothing)
pinch peppermint, optional (adds flavor)
pinch cut/sifted licorice root or one dried sliced root (synergizes all the herbs and lends a smooth feel to the tea)
Combine herbs and mix well. To make tea, use 2 teaspoons herb blend per cup of water. Steep for 15 to 20 minutes and strain. Drink up to 2 cups per day as an uplifting spring rejuvenating tea. Store any unused portion in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
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