Different traditions celebrate different events at this Sabbat. Some traditions consider the Spring Equinox as the time of year when Persephone returns to live with Demeter after spending months with Hades in the Underworld. Some Witches celebrate this as the time when the Lady and Lord are reunited (think of Ishtar and Tammuz). This is a good day to celebrate the courtship of the Goddess and the God. In astrological terms it is the time when the Zodiac begins again in Aries, signifying a new astrological year.
Crafts:
My
contribution to the season is a recipe for an incense or potpourri to enjoy
during your rituals or just to make your home smell wonderful and inviting..
4 drops Vetiver essential oil
2 drops Geranium essential oil
2 drops Ylang-Ylang essential oil
2 drops Rose Oil
You can either use this recipe or any combination of these essential oils. Add herbs or a combination of the two if you prefer. I warm the oils in an electric potpourri pot but you could combine them and rub them on an unfragranced incense stick. If you have problems breathing when you use regular incense then using the oils in an aromatherapy lamp or potpourri pot is an alternative. Today is a wonderful day for creating your own incense.
Many Easter traditions are taken from older Pagan ones. Coloring eggs and egg hunts are echoes of these traditions. I highly recommend having an egg coloring party with some children (either your own or someone else's). Children create some unique color combinations and watching them realize that dipping an egg into each color only creates a muddy brown (not the rainbow they anticipated) can be fun. If you're very ambitious (or crafty) you could make the dyes for the eggs out of natural substances such as onion skins. Instructions can be found in the Campanelli books (Wheel of the Year and Ancient Ways). Decorate your home with rabbits, eggs and flowers in keeping with the seasonal theme. Remember this is a time of rebirth and rejuvenation so discover your own unique ways to celebrate. (And remember they don't call it Spring cleaning for nothing). Toss crushed eggshells in the garden for the fairies
Food & Drink:
Sprouts, seeds and green leafy vegetables are appropriate for this Sabbat. So make yourself a healthy green salad and sprinkle sesame seeds or poppy seeds. Add alfalfa sprouts. Make yourself some lemon-poppy seed muffins. And of course eggs are appropriate for this festival. Boiled eggs, omelettes, custards - add any of these to your Ostara feast and incorporate the energy of the season into your life.
Foods:
Breakfast: Sunny-side up or scrambled eggs; seeded bagels or
Lunch: Salad with a lot of greens and sprouts
Dinner: Make quiche with spinach and cheese
Here are some great sites to check out for recipes to use:
Enjoy!
