Blessed Ostara

For those of you who do not know what Ostara is or why it's celebrated this will be a very educational post. For those of you who know the Goddess and celebrate her life stages, this day is a great day of celebration and I wish you many blessings!

The word Ostara is just one of the names applied to the celebration of the spring equinox on March 21. The Venerable Bede said the origin of the word is actually from Eostre, a Germanic goddess of spring. Of course, it's also the same time as the Christian Easter celebration, and in the Jewish faith, Passover takes place as well. For early Pagans in the Germanic countries, this was a time to celebrate planting and the new crop season. Typically, the Celtic peoples did not celebrate Ostara as a holiday, although they were in tune with the changing of the seasons.

The Purpose of Ostara - Balance. The longest day and longest night, not winter and not yet spring, the rebirth of nature and the return of the God who comes to join the Maiden to bring new life and fertility to the coming growing seasons.

 

Ostara is the second of the Spring holidays that ring in the festivals for fertility. Not just fertility of self and body as many non-believers believe. But fertility of the earth for an abundant crop, and garden, a fertile mind for imagining new ideas and concepts; perhaps for work or home. Ostara occurs in mid-March and represents the warrior aspect of the God force.

 

This is the festival of balance. The day when the night and the day are equal in length. It is also the time when the God returns to life and balances the feminine energy of the universe with his masculine force. It is the season of courtship, when the God calls upon the Maiden Goddess and begins to win her heart. It is the season of love and learning.

 

On this festival a witch should review their life and find balance in it's events. If your expressions of living are unbalanced, then this is the time to ask the God force for help. If you're spending too much time at work and neglecting family or home; then pray for assistance and strength to balance your life.

 

Many witches also use this time to renew their tools and faith. As a courtship brings in new energy to ones life, so can this Sabbat bring new energy to your faith. When a female witch buys a new ritual broom, or a male witch purchases a new staff. Consecrate new tools, such as a new crystal ball, pendulum or even charge your favorite talisman. It's a good time for a new witch to conduct a naming ceremony, to acknowledge or request a ceremonial magik name. 

 

Whatever you do to celebrate this day, enjoy it!

Blessed Be!

Ten Ways to Have a Better Day!

1. Wake up 30 Minutes Early.
   
   Get up 30 minutes before the alarm goes off and take the first half hour for yourself. Once you get busy and into the day there never seems to be the time for yourself. Take this time to plan getting the most from the day.
   
2. Read, Listen, or Watch Something Uplifting.
   
   Make this a daily habit. Get out of starting the day with no mental food. A great day does not begin with the news or the paper, it begins with ideas or energy that will propel you through the day. What you first hear will stay with you throughout the day.
   
3. Eat a Good Breakfast to Start You Off Right.
   Get something good into your body to wake it up and get it going. Think about the energy you will need to perform. Everyday we run a marathon. What would you need to eat and drink to win it.
   
4. Choose Your Winning Attitude.
   There is enough to go wrong without sabotaging yourself. Your attitude is a choice you make. Don't let it come between you and your success. Be careful to keep it positive all day long.
   
5. Be Aware of What They are Telling You.
   The people around us have a profound effect on how we get through life. Our closest friends and family are our greatest environmental influences. Make sure you have the best advisors you can find.
   
6. Make the Most of What You Do.
   When you get to your work, make it the best place to be. Most people go to work and never think about work while they are there. Focus on your contribution. What would it be like if you were not around. Strive to give a 100% each and every day.
   
7. Always Remember that People are Listening.
   Make a point of talking well of others. Wish others the best in life. What goes around does come around. Don't talk negative about anyone. Try to understand their circumstances Practice being a support system to your friends and family. They need you.
   
   
8. Be Honest and Fair to Others.
   It does make a difference. What you give to others is usually what you get from others. Practice integrity that people can see and feel. Be aware of what you say. Learn to walk your talk at all times. The more people trust you, the more of their time they will trust with you.
   
9. Pace Your Energy to Last All Day.
   Be careful of bursts of energy. Pace your energy throughout the day. If you get to crazy early in the day, you will reach a point of exhaustion before the day is over. By planning your entire day before you begin, you will have what you need. You've heard the old saying "look alive."
   
   
   
   
   
10. Get in Bed Early and Study for the Future.
    I have a friend who keeps a journal at his bedside. Every night he writes what he learned new on that day. The only way to keep one step above the masses is to learn new ways to do things. Develop the habit of reading a work or personal development book before you go to sleep. Reading for 30 minutes a day is like a year of college. You can't succeed if you don't read. Remember throughout your day that life is what we make it, day by day. Practice having the best day ever. It adds up to a great life.