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~~o00o~~
This
Sabbat recognizes the start of spring, and celebrates the
Goddess, once again in her maiden aspect. This Sabbat is a
time for fertility rituals, and the cutting of spring's
first blossoms. The altar and the circle should be decorated
with a variety of fresh flowers. Set up the altar with your
usual tools, including a green potted plant, and the
cauldron placed somewhere in the circle. The cauldron may be
filled with fresh water and floating flowers. Light
the altar candles and the incense, and cast the sacred
circle. Invoke the God and the Goddess. Kneel before
the altar, facing East, and gaze at the plant.
Recognize it not only as a plant, but as a symbol of the
awakening earth. Say: "Blessed
is the Goddess, our Mother, our provider. Now, the
dark days of winter are past, and the world grows green once
more. As life awakens from it's slumber, and is
renewed by the power of the God and the Goddess, we thank
them for all we have received from them."
Touch
the plant. Connect with it's energies, and feel its life.
Say: "This
plant is representative of the awakening of life after it's
long winter slumber.
May I learn to be kind to all creatures, great and small,
and may I bear in my heart a
warmth and understanding of all living things. Mother
Goddess, Father God, teach me to revere the earth and all
it's treasures always."
Take
part in any Magick or seasonal activities that you had
planned. Tradition on Ostara is the decoration of
eggs. Hold the simple feast and banish the sacred circle.
~~o00o~~
A
traditional Vernal Equinox pastime: go to a field and
randomly collect wildflowers. (Thank the flowers for
their sacrifice before picking them). Or, buy some
from a florist, taking one or two of those that appeal to
you. Then bring them home and divine their magical
meanings by the use of books, your own intuition, a
pendulum, or by other means. The flowers you've chosen
reveal your inner thoughts and emotions.
It
is important at this time of renewed life to plan a walk (or
a ride) through gardens, a park, woodlands, forest and other
green places. This is not simply exercise, and yuo
should be on no other mission. It isn't even just an
appreciation of nature. Make your walk celebratory,
a ritual for nature itself.
Other
traditional activities include planting seeds, working on
magical gardens and practicing all forms of her work -
magical, medicinal, cosmetic, culinary and artistic.
Foods
in tune with this day (linking your meals with the seasons
is a fine method of attuning with nature) include those made
of seeds, such as sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds, as
well as pine nuts. Sprouts are equally appropriate, as
are leafy, green vegetables. Flower dishes such as
stuffed nasturtiums (stuffed with a mixture of cram cheese,
chopped nuts, chives and watercress) or carnation cupcakes
also find their place here. (Spicy cupcakes iced with
pink frosting and place a fresh carnation petal on each
cupcake),
(excerpts
from Scott Cunningham's Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary
Practitioner) |
