Grimorie/ Book of shadows

Ostara

Ostara- March 19-21(This year: March 19th, 2024) 

The spring equinox of equal day and equal night. a sabbath to celebrate renewal and rebirth and fertility of spring

Ostara, which falls on the first day of spring, marks the newfound balance between light and darkness. This sabbat was named for Eostre, the Germanic goddess of dawn. New beginnings, abundance, and great potential are the focus of this celebration. As the days get longer. Do a planning ritual to honor the arrival of the spring season. During this "seed blessing," is to take a seed in your hand, visualize and hold your intention, then plant it. Manifest your intention as you watch the new life grow.

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HISTORY

"Ostara celebrates the spring equinox. The word Ostara comes from the Anglo-Saxon goddess name, Eostre. Eostre represented spring and new beginnings. Like many other spring celebrations in other cultures, Ostara symbolizes fertility, rebirth, and renewal. This time of year marked the beginning of the agricultural cycle, and farmers would start planting seeds. Many of the symbols of Ostara have roots in other traditions, and the use of rabbits and hares is one such example. In medieval times in Europe, the March hare was seen as a fertility symbol, and a sign of spring. This species of rabbit is nocturnal most of the year, but in March, it is mating season for the animal. During mating season, March hares are seen all day long."

"Originally known as the Spring Equinox, the word Easter parallels the German word Ostern which is derived from Eostre or Ostara, the Anglo-Saxon Goddess of Spring. In German stories, Ostara is believed to have been responsible for bringing about spring each year. There are many different tales connecting this fertility goddess to Easter, with one story telling of how a Hare King fell in love with her, and another, more popular story, explaining how one year she found a dying bird in the snow. To save it, Ostara brought the bird back to life as a white hare, however to honor the bird's original form Ostara gave the hare the power to lay eggs once a year. She then allowed the hare to gift away its eggs to those worshiping and feasting in her honor."

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ASSOCIATIONS

Colors: Pastels, pink, yellow, light green, green, pale purple, blue, light blue, gold

Crystals: Citrine, amazonite, moonstone, aquamarine, fluorite, amethyst, bloodstone, clear quartz, rose quartz, green moss agate, jasper

Herbs/oils/incense: Clover, jasmine, honeysuckle, mint, lemon balm, peonies, tulips, violet chamomile, dandelion, lavender, parsley, rosemary, thyme, daffodils, tulips, lilies, violets, crocuses, orange, lemon, grapefruit, lime, sandalwood

Food: Nuts and seeds, eggs, sweet bread

Themes: Baskets, budding twigs, bunnies, spring water, chicks, colored eggs, four leaf clovers, flowers

Animals: Butterflies, chicks, hares, lambs, rabbits, robins, birds

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IDEAS TO CELEABRATE

-Plant seeds

-Make a spring wreath

-Decorate eggs

-Have a picnic

-Have a tea party

-Go on a walk

-Make a flower garland/ crown

-Spring cleaning

-Decorate alter

-Decorate with flowers

-Drink sun energized water/tea

-Bake a carrot cake

-Burn candles/ incense

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ALTER IDEAS

-Baskets

-Budding twigs

-Bunnies

-Spring water

-Chicks

-Colored eggs

-4 leaf clovers

-Spring flowers

-Sprouting bulbs

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SPELL/RITUAL  WORK IDEAS

-Rebirth

-Renewal

-Growth

-Fertility

-Abundance

-Balance

-Cleansing

-New beginnings

-Prosperity

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OSTARA JAR

-Jar

-Egg shells

-Soil

-Crystals

-Herbs

-Flowers

-Incense 

-Candle (choose a color that is associated) 

-Any other things you wish to add

1. Cleanse jar with incense

2. Add in items in any order you wish

3. Seal with the wax of a candle. Drip onto lid 

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OSTARA SIMMER POT

-Mint

-Lemon/ orange slices

-Rose petals/ oil

-Rosemary

-Lavender

-Any other herbs you wish to add

1. Add in the ingredients into a pot of water

2.Bring the water boil, then turn heat down to low and let simmer for as long as you want. Stir towards you to bring it all in.

Once you are done you can dispose as normal (strain water and put into the trash) or you can bury it in soil outside
You can also you is in a spray bottle for cleaning and protecting (can spray on counters, surfaces, doors, etc) or use for what ever else you want

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SOURCES

Pinterest 

https://www.bpl.org/blogs/post/the-origins-and-practices-of-holidays-ostara-holi-and-purim/#:~:text=Ostara%20celebrates%20the%20spring%20equinox,many%20of%20them%20for%20Ostara.

https://www.chadotea.com/blogs/blog/history-of-easter

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(more coming soon)