Our current newsletter:
Celebrating Vernal Equinox/Ostara!
Welcome to our seasonal newsletter!
"... to me, a tree is more beautiful than a cathedral.
The tree is the kingdom of god on earth. A tree is the pure land."
~ Thich Nhat Hanh
The tree is the kingdom of god on earth. A tree is the pure land."
~ Thich Nhat Hanh
March: Awakening, Beginning, Emergence... Thawing from the bitter winter and unearthing ourselves from record snowfalls. We watch expectantly as the snow slowly melts into the earth in a slow-motion disappearance: tiny islands of snow surrounded by spreading patches of brown, winter-beaten grass. Rich with water, soft muddy earth yields perceptibly beneath each tentative footstep. The chirp and cadence of birds is noticeably louder, stronger, and more inviting - enticing us, teasing us, exerting that inner 'pull', that yearning to be outside again following one of the snowiest winters in recent memory.
In this issue, we re-introduce the earth holiday of Ostara, also called Eostara or Eostre from the Anglo-Saxon spring goddess of the same name. The word for the Christian festival of Easter really refers back to this ancient goddess, and the eggs, bunnies and baby chicks that are featured so prominently in our culture's Easter celebrations are all Ostara fertility images.
However you choose to celebrate this holiday remember to be gentle with the earth and mindful of her limited resources.
Green Blessings!
Donna at Willow Moon Herbals
In this issue:
- Celebrating Vernal Equinox/Ostara!
- The Red Tent Movie
- Numen: The Healing Power of Plants"
- Holistic Consciousness of One!
- Currently Scheduled Classes
Celebrating Vernal Equinox/Ostara!
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| from www.magicalgraphics.com |
Often, we don't realize how much we've missed the sound of birds all winter, until Spring brings their warbling back to us. To honor the birds and the air element of spring, this would be a good time to clean the hair out of all the family's hairbrushes, and put it out for the birds to use for building their spring nests. When you do this, send loving thoughts to the birds who are using your hair in the creation of their homes.
Many Holidays, Many Names:
The word Ostara is just one of the names applied to the celebration of the spring equinox on March 21. The Venerable Bede said the origin of the word is actually from Eostre, a Germanic goddess of spring. Of course, it's also the same time as the Christian Easter celebration, and in the Jewish faith, Passover
takes place as well. For early Pagans in the Germanic countries, this
was a time to celebrate planting and the new crop season. Typically, the
Celtic peoples did not celebrate Ostara as a holiday, although they were in tune with the changing of the seasons.
The indigenous Mayan people in Central American have celebrated a spring equinox festival for ten centuries. As the sun sets on the day of the equinox on the great ceremonial pyramid, El Castillo, Mexico, its "western face...is bathed in the late afternoon sunlight. The lengthening shadows appear to run from the top of the pyramid's northern staircase to the bottom, giving the illusion of a diamond-backed snake in descent." This has been called "The Return of the Sun Serpent" since ancient times.
According to the Venerable Bede, Eostre was the Saxon version of the Germanic goddess Ostara. Her feast day was held on the full moon following the vernal equinox -- almost the identical calculation as for the Christian Easter in the west. There is very little documented evidence to prove this, but one popular legend is that Eostre found a bird, wounded, on the ground late in winter. To save its life, she transformed it into a hare. But "the transformation was not a complete one. The bird took the appearance of a hare but retained the ability to lay eggs...the hare would decorate these eggs and leave them as gifts to Eostre."
Ostara Pasta with Goat Cheese
(use organic ingredients whenever possible!)Spring Celebrations Around the World:
In ancient Rome, the followers of Cybele believed that their goddess had a consort who was born via a virgin birth. His name was Attis, and he died and was resurrected each year during the time of the vernal equinox on the Julian Calendar (between March 22 and March 25). Around the same time, the Germanic tribes honored a lunar goddess known as Ostara, who mated with a fertility god around this time of year, and then gave birth nine months later – at Yule.The indigenous Mayan people in Central American have celebrated a spring equinox festival for ten centuries. As the sun sets on the day of the equinox on the great ceremonial pyramid, El Castillo, Mexico, its "western face...is bathed in the late afternoon sunlight. The lengthening shadows appear to run from the top of the pyramid's northern staircase to the bottom, giving the illusion of a diamond-backed snake in descent." This has been called "The Return of the Sun Serpent" since ancient times.
According to the Venerable Bede, Eostre was the Saxon version of the Germanic goddess Ostara. Her feast day was held on the full moon following the vernal equinox -- almost the identical calculation as for the Christian Easter in the west. There is very little documented evidence to prove this, but one popular legend is that Eostre found a bird, wounded, on the ground late in winter. To save its life, she transformed it into a hare. But "the transformation was not a complete one. The bird took the appearance of a hare but retained the ability to lay eggs...the hare would decorate these eggs and leave them as gifts to Eostre."
Modern Celebrations
This is a good time of year to start your seedlings. If you grow an herb garden, start getting the soil ready for late spring plantings. Celebrate the balance of light and dark as the sun begins to tip the scales, and the return of new growth is near.16 oz penne pasta
1 cup whole milk
2 well beaten eggs
12 oz feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup dried tomatoes, chopped
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon basil
1/4 teaspoon parsley flakes
1 cup chopped mushrooms, any variety (optional)
1/2 cup chopped black olives (optional)
1/2 cup bread crumbs (optional)
Grease a 9" x 13" baking pan and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Boil the pasta until just al dente. Mix the milk and eggs together; set aside. In another bowl, mix the feta, tomatoes, pepper, basil, parsley, mushrooms and olives. Remove the penne pasta from the stovetop and drain well. Blend in the feta mixture. Place in the baking pan. Top with bread crumbs if desired, then pour the milk and egg mixture over the top, distributing evenly and allowing it to soak down into the pasta. Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until top is just starting to turn golden brown.
(Sources: "Celebrating the Great Mother" by Cait Johnson and Maura D. Shaw; "Herbal Rituals" by Judith Berger; "Ostara" by Edain McCoy; wikimedia)
__________________________________________
Note:
Any remedies or information listed on this newsletter are from
historical references and used for teaching/educational purposes only.
The contents are not meant to diagnose, treat, prescribe, cure or
substitute consultation with a licensed health-care professional. This
information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
"The Red Tent Movie: Things We Don't Talk About"
There's a deep recognition among us as women about how the Red Tent
Movement can meet a hunger we have to connect with our sisters in sacred
space. The Red Tent Movie DVD's are now available and can be ordered online, so you can curl up at home and learn all about the Red Tent Movement~ Click here to use our referral link and order yours!
"Numen: The Healing Power of Plants" An updated documentary by Terrence Youk and Ann
Armbrecht.
Here is what esteemed herbalist Rosemary Gladstar has to say about the
film regarding Spirit, Nature & Healing: "I think one of the
most unique places about herbalism and modern herbal healers is that we
still maintain that deep connection with the plants. ... There's still a
deep prayerful relationship, whether you go to the plants and
consciously pray or you have awareness with them, or just the way you
are with them when you're harvesting them or making your medicine or
even giving the medicine. There's a deep connection with the spirit of
the plants. ... it is the relationship that the plant has to us and how
those plants have served as our healers for literally thousands of
years." Visit their website for more information: www.numenfilm.com
(Note: We are coordinating with local holistic centers to organize a mini-class and screening - check our website and FB page for more details, and the class schedule below!)
Holistic Consciousness of One!
Our local Holistic Practitioners support and Community networking group in Chester, NJ!
Finding a home within the historic business district of Chester enables the Holistic Consciousness of One to reach out to and provide a central meeting place for holistic practitioners and folks interested in learning more about holistic modalities within the surrounding communities. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month from 7:00PM - 8:45 PM. Meeting fee: $10.
So spread the word! Come and join us as we support each other and work collectively to promote all holistic healing modalities and build our Holistic Community. Visit their website for updates, community events and speaker schedules: www.hcoo.org
RSVP to Sue at The Art of the Heart, 908/879-3937 or admin@hcoo.org.
"The Red Tent Movie: Things We Don't Talk About"
There's a deep recognition among us as women about how the Red Tent
Movement can meet a hunger we have to connect with our sisters in sacred
space. The Red Tent Movie DVD's are now available and can be ordered online, so you can curl up at home and learn all about the Red Tent Movement~ Click here to use our referral link and order yours!"Numen: The Healing Power of Plants" An updated documentary by Terrence Youk and Ann
Armbrecht.
Here is what esteemed herbalist Rosemary Gladstar has to say about the
film regarding Spirit, Nature & Healing: "I think one of the
most unique places about herbalism and modern herbal healers is that we
still maintain that deep connection with the plants. ... There's still a
deep prayerful relationship, whether you go to the plants and
consciously pray or you have awareness with them, or just the way you
are with them when you're harvesting them or making your medicine or
even giving the medicine. There's a deep connection with the spirit of
the plants. ... it is the relationship that the plant has to us and how
those plants have served as our healers for literally thousands of
years." Visit their website for more information: www.numenfilm.com(Note: We are coordinating with local holistic centers to organize a mini-class and screening - check our website and FB page for more details, and the class schedule below!)
Holistic Consciousness of One!Our local Holistic Practitioners support and Community networking group in Chester, NJ!
Finding a home within the historic business district of Chester enables the Holistic Consciousness of One to reach out to and provide a central meeting place for holistic practitioners and folks interested in learning more about holistic modalities within the surrounding communities. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month from 7:00PM - 8:45 PM. Meeting fee: $10.
So spread the word! Come and join us as we support each other and work collectively to promote all holistic healing modalities and build our Holistic Community. Visit their website for updates, community events and speaker schedules: www.hcoo.org
RSVP to Sue at The Art of the Heart, 908/879-3937 or admin@hcoo.org.
Sue Freeman, Owner
Website: www.theartoftheheart-chester.com
E-mail: sue@theartoftheheart-chester.com
908/879-3937
Growing With the Seasons, 811 Main Street, Boonton, NJ 07005
Madeline Thompson, Director
Website: http://growingwiththeseasons.com/
E-mail: growingwiththeseasons@gmail.com
973/222/6762
Schiff Nature Preserve, 339 Pleasant Valley Road, Mendham, NJ 07945
Website: schiffnaturepreserve.org
Phone: 973-543-6004 (click here for directions)
Be sure to check out the other wonderful holistic services and educational classes offered at these locations!
Classes by Date:
Growing With the Seasons, 811 Main Street, Boonton, NJ
**Register with Madeline at Growing With the Seasons: growingwiththeseasons@gmail.com or 973-222-6762 **
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Class: "Herbs for Spring Detox"
Time: 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Fee: $33
Details to follow. Check the calendar at www.growingwiththeseasons.com or the Scheduled Classes page at Willow Moon Herbals' website.
Save the Dates for the rest of the Herbal Series on Saturdays from 12:00 - 2:30PM
May 17
June 21 (Summer Solstice)
Please RSVP if you plan to attend: growingwiththeseasons@gmail.com or 973-222-6762
50 Main Street, Chester, NJ (Above the Whistling Elk)
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
"Numen: The Healing Power of Plants"
Mini-class and screening for this documentary film. See description above.
Time: 7-9PM
Fee: $5.00
RSVP to Donna at 201-650-7500 or email: donna@willowmoonherbals.com
Schiff Nature Preserve, 339 Pleasant Valley Road, Mendham, NJ
**Register directly with Schiff! See info below** Directions: (map)
Saturday, April 25, 2014 (for Arbor Day)
Class: Tree Medicine and Folklore
Time: 7:00-8:30PM
Trees are beautiful, spiritual and powerful. They are continuously giving: from the air we breathe to the food we eat, they enhance our lives with their spiritual medicine and improve our health through their medicinal leaves, flowers, fruit, seeds and bark. In this hands-on class, you’ll hear some tree folklore, learn basic tree identification skills and discover the healing characteristics of our local trees. Come find out why trees are considered the elders of the botanical world.
$10 pp members; $15 pp nonmembers.
Program is limited to 20 participants.
Advance registration is required. Please send a check to Schiff at 339 Pleasant Valley Road, Mendham, NJ by 4/17 or click here to register online. Contact Schiff: 973-543-6004
More classes are pending, so be sure to check our website for updates:
www.willowmoonherbals.com/Class-Schedule.html
www.willowmoonherbals.com/Class-Schedule.html
Our seasonal newsletter, Whispers from the Willows, is usually published eight times a year near the earth holidays: the Solstices, the Equinoxes and the four Cross-Quarter Days.
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