Ostara: Ritual and words

Ostara Ritual

I got this ritual from: http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/ostarathespringequinox/ht/OstaraSolRite.htm-3

I changed the actual words to things I felt were more whimsical. I like my stuff to rhyme or else it starts to remind me the catholic church, which is okay, but definitely not as fun.

What you need

-Candles (yellow, green, and purple)

-A bowl of milk

-A little bit of honey or sugar. 

-Open some windows

Take a moment to focus on the air around you. Inhale deeply and try to smell the changes of the seasons. 

Light the green candle, which represents the blossoming earth, and say: “The wheel of the year turns, and the vernal equinox arrives. Light and dark are equal in size. The soil changes, the earth awakens.”

Light the yellow candle, which represents the sun, and say: “The sun draws closer warming the earth and soul, light and dark are equal. The sun warms all in its path creating new life at last.”

Light the purple candle, which represents the divine, and say: “Spring has come. The divine is; the cool fall of a rainstorm, the tiny buds of a flower, the down of a newborn chick, the fertile fields waiting to be planted, the sky above and the earth below, we thank the universe for giving us life, and new life. Welcome life.”

Blend the milk and honey together gently. 

While blending say: “I make this offering to the earth, as thanks for the blessings I have received, and those I shall someday receive.”

Lastly, pour the mixture outside in the a yard or garden. 

Elements: Air

Rune: Ansuz

Direction: East

Season: Spring

Time of Day: Dawn

Zodiac signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius

Air is one of the elements that is the most easy to connect with. We can obviously see that it’s important considering without it we would suffocate and die. But to really think of air as a magical force is something different for me. To just know that by breathing in and out every day you are effecting the entire earth is pretty amazing. Whether it’s the actions you take while you live or it’s the effect of moving air in and out of your lungs that slowly changes things, it’s hard to ignore how amazing the everyday thing truly is.

I can be a bit of a skeptic sometimes but when you think of how important air is and how much it can do, the way it lives and moves like it’s own entity it’s pretty magical.

Air represents intellect, thought, creation, imagination, travel, physical and mental movement, education, liberty, and communication.

Herbs: Orange Peels

The orange peel is also known as citrus sinensis

Zodiac: Leo
Gender: Male
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Deities: Apallo, Hera
Basic Powers: Luck, Love, Money, Divination, Weddings

In alchemy the Orange peel’s awakening scent is used for many different things. It can be used clear your mind from overthinking a subject, used in love spells or for medicinal purposes. The orange peel is also great for embodying the sun.

Some things you can do with orange peels:

• Drink water infused with orange peels in order to ward off drunkiness (I have to/will try this and blog about it)
• Add to love sachets
• Add to luck sachets
• Use it with peony to relieve menstrual cramps or constipation
• Use to lighten scars.

For more information on the orange peel: http://www.themagickmoon.com/orange-peel.html

DIY: Candied Orange Peels

A very popular ritual during Ostara is to make hot cross buns! I have never tried them but they look and sound like some cute pastry little bow peep would eat. Hot cross buns are a treat that you can either eat or bake on Ostara ( I plan on baking mine the night before and I’ll be sure to share!) The recipe I’ve decided to use (along with most I have seen) calls for candied orange peels. Which you can make yourself.

The recipe I used:

http://www.brighteyedbaker.com/confessions101/diy-candied-orange-peel/

My struggles:

So as much as I love cooking I lack so much general knowledge on the matter. My google search bar history is a little embarrassing to say the least (“why are my candied orange peels turning brown?). So a little helpful tip; when the recipe says simmer it means cook on very low heat (not a slight boil as I interpreted it!) and also don’t stir the sugar and water after it heats up, it makes the sugar start crystalizing (which turned out tasting delicious, at first, and then turned into a burnt glass candied mess.)

P.S.

Learn about orange peels in Wicca