Mar 19, 2010

Ostara Blessings

Although we saw the first promise of spring at Candlemas in the swelling buds, there were still nights of frost and darkness ahead. Now spring is manifest. Demeter is reunited with her daughter, Kore (the essence of spring), who has been in the Underworld for six months and the earth once again teems with life. The month of March contains holidays dedicated to all the great mother goddesses: Astarte, Isis, Aprhrodite, Cybele and the Virgin Mary.

The goddess shows herself in the blossoms, the leaves on the trees, the sprouting of the crops, the mating of birds, the birth of young animals. In the agricultural cycle, it is time for planting. We are assured that life will continue.

- Waverly Fitzgerald, Celebrating the Spring Equinox


I've had one lovely Spring surprise after another, these last few days. I saw new calves in the field outside of town. The lilac bushes in the yard have burst their buds, and are showing the beginnings of green leaves. And today, I wandered through my mom's garden, nibbling on new chives, and tasting sunshine and earth and glorious freshness.

I'm off to the garden centre tomorrow to buy some potting soil and some other goodies for Ostara and my new garden. We've been so fortunate with the sunshine this week, although the wind is still chilly. Winter doesn't quite completely release her hold just yet. But there is so much Spring to be seen and felt here in Southern British Columbia, it's hard to think that Winter has any more say in our weather now.

As for Ostara, I will be doing a quiet meditation tonight, and then a ritual outside first thing in the morning (hopefully without frost!)

I hope that however you celebrate, your Ostara is lovely and bright! Spring blessings to you!





23 comments:

mxtodis123 said...

Oh my, lilacs. One of my absolute favorites. The forsythia, lilac bushes...both take me back to childhood and grandma's home. Tis a wonderful time of the year. Blessings to you and yours.
Mary

brandi said...

~so l♥vely rue...wishing you the same...here it too is filled with warmth from mr. sun yet a cool breeze to remind us winter still lingering a bit...ours even had their shorts on today...crazy as weather says its only 61 degrees outside...to be young and embrace such brightness...may spring bring forth blessings a plenty for you!~

Eliza said...

A blessed Ostara to you too :-) I love that picture by the way.

Kekibird said...

Happy Spring! Maybe the sun kiss your skin and warm your heart!

Jennifer MacNeill said...

Beautiful post, I love the paintings and the lamb! Have a wonderful weekend!

ONe PiNK FiSH said...

Blessed Ostara. Hope you find some lovely plants for the garden. We planted herbs today and seeds as well. I have to wait another four weeks before the seeds can be planted in the yard though.

Again, good luck at the garden store and bright blessings to you and yours.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Ostara blessings! Enjoy the weekend!

Anonymous said...

Sending an Ostara blessing, I do ritual and offerings.

jaz@octoberfarm said...

Ostara blessings! not much is blooming here yet but it is on the verge. i see tulips peeking up and my maple trees have buds!

TMCPhoto said...

we're doing some potting as part of our Ostara celebrations and also egg painting because you have to paint eggs and have an egg hunt. And there must be chocolate. We have a lilac bush outside our window and the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

Judith said...

Same to you! spring is here!!!!

Sara said...

Ostara blessings to you. Spring is alive here... and it is a beautiful day. Hope you enjoyed the garden centre. :) xx

C said...

Ostara blessings to you too :) x enjoy the garden

Coach Z said...

Blessings!!!

Kiki's Cauldron said...

Blessed Ostara to you, and enjoy the gardening!

the wild magnolia said...

Good read on Ostra, I always enjoy reading new or additional information on the holidays.

Love the lambie and know you are exicited about planting a new garden.

Happy Ostara to you!

TMC said...

The lilac bush in my yard is just starting to bud... it's such a wonderful sign of the warmth to come.

Happy Spring!

Dede said...

Lilacs? WOW I love them! It sounds like you had a wonderful Ostara. The garden center? Do tell, what goodies did you get? It was gorgeous here Friday and Saturday, then Sunday wind and rain. It sure has made everything a beautiful green.

(((HUGS)))

Tery Lynne said...

I LOVE Spring and this time of year and celebration! Thanks for sharing!

Anna said...

Blessed Ostara to you too! I noticed yesterday (it's been chilly still around here) that the trees are finally budding! I have my indoor starter seeds planted for the gardens can't wait for the temps to rise enough to start the outdoor gardens :-)

Jennifer MacNeill said...

I just bought a calendar with this painting of Ostara - I think I have to frame it, I love it so much:)

Emme Toaye said...

Speaking of Spring buds blooming, I just finished doing yard work for an elderly Uncle for the first time, his landscaper of years and years retired. I loved getting into the dirt, sweeping up leaves and doing a little transplanting. I never realized how much I missed having a big yard, and I do NOT remember having this many muscles complaining! (well worth it though)

Bridgett said...

I hope you had a lovely Ostara, sweet friend. We actually had to mow the lawn this week! :)