by Coraluna SoleilGoddesses: Kora, Persephone,
Sappho, Astarte, Selene
Colors: green, pink, yellow, lavender,
Herbs: lavender, rose petals, thyme,
lemon verbena, lemon thyme
Crystals: rose quartz, jade, amethyst
Symbols: eggs, flower buds, cords
The wheel of the year follows the Goddess through each aspect of her life, death, and rebirth.
At Yule, her spirit is reborn and she is the first sign of Light in the darkness of winter. At Imbolc,
that spirit of Light becomes the seeds of new life to come. The Mother Goddess conceived nine months earlier at Summer Solstice. Now at Ostara,
she gives birth to the Spring, to Herself, and to the young goddess who will grow and repeat the sacred cycle of nature. Please recognize the symbolism of these myths. Each element of the story is meant to represent an aspect of nature. We are dealing with concepts as intimate as our bodies and as vastly echoed as the galaxies and solar systems of the universe. Through these concepts, energies, biological and physiological processes, and our spirits, we are connected to the Universe, submerged in it, suspended in it, protected by it, and one with it.
Ostara is usually the very first day we begin to see pale green blades breaking through the dead leaves and soil. Daffodils quickly follow as some of the first flowers to emerge for the celebration of Spring. The mother-daughter concept is another Ostara theme. The Mother is in all of us, even men. The female DNA chromosome is XX. The male is XY. This means that genetically, they are half "male", half "female". Woman means "of man" and my feminist sisters prefer the spelling “womyn,” because it helps take away the absurd brainwashing that tells us woman came from man. It is another way the patriarchy has severed man from the Mother, by acting like he created Her. If only he could accept and embrace the Goddess or Mother within, he would no longer feel the need to rape, murder, conquer, destroy, steal, torture, nor any other evil of which he is capable.
At Yule, her spirit is reborn and she is the first sign of Light in the darkness of winter. At Imbolc,
that spirit of Light becomes the seeds of new life to come. The Mother Goddess conceived nine months earlier at Summer Solstice. Now at Ostara,
she gives birth to the Spring, to Herself, and to the young goddess who will grow and repeat the sacred cycle of nature. Please recognize the symbolism of these myths. Each element of the story is meant to represent an aspect of nature. We are dealing with concepts as intimate as our bodies and as vastly echoed as the galaxies and solar systems of the universe. Through these concepts, energies, biological and physiological processes, and our spirits, we are connected to the Universe, submerged in it, suspended in it, protected by it, and one with it.
Ostara is usually the very first day we begin to see pale green blades breaking through the dead leaves and soil. Daffodils quickly follow as some of the first flowers to emerge for the celebration of Spring. The mother-daughter concept is another Ostara theme. The Mother is in all of us, even men. The female DNA chromosome is XX. The male is XY. This means that genetically, they are half "male", half "female". Woman means "of man" and my feminist sisters prefer the spelling “womyn,” because it helps take away the absurd brainwashing that tells us woman came from man. It is another way the patriarchy has severed man from the Mother, by acting like he created Her. If only he could accept and embrace the Goddess or Mother within, he would no longer feel the need to rape, murder, conquer, destroy, steal, torture, nor any other evil of which he is capable.
At Ostara, we honor the physical birth of the Earth around us, and reconnect to the innocent, vibrant energy of the maiden goddess. Day and night are equal at Ostara, and each day will be longer than the one before it until Litha, the Summer Solstice. If the sun is shining, go outside. Plant seeds or prepare the soil where your garden will grow. Notice the bright yellow dandelions, daffodils, wild violets, and clover that have sprouted in your yard. Close your eyes and feel the sun on your face. Remember the Yule meditation? You were imagining the warmth and light of this pure spring day. You attuned yourself to its approach and now it is here, embracing you with adventure, potential, and endless possibilities.
Ostara Ritual
Try to find a lavender or rose candle. If you have a shallow glass dish or a cauldron that can fit on your altar, fill it with pure filtered water and flower petals. Add a few drops of an Ostara oil. Decorate your altar with flowers, dyed eggs, chocolate rabbits, and other symbols of the season. Imagine a field of wildflowers and herbs, or a sunny newborn garden. Cast a circle around your altar.
Say: “The Goddess gives birth to the Earth today
Mother Earth gives Life to her daughters today
Her daughters give birth to the Goddess within
Who gives Life to our sisters, reborn again”
Give thanks to the Goddess for sustaining and nurturing you and those you love. Close with food and drink. Eat fresh vegetables, salads, whole grains to symbolize Kora, the Maiden Goddess of grain, seeds, planting, harvesting, and spring.
