Ways to Celebrate Ostara while Quarantined or Self-Isolated
The spring equinox is almost upon us, and things are…weird. Lots of us are ill, most of us are scared, and some of us cannot leave our houses for our safety or for the safety of others. What a bummer way to ring in the return of spring! For those witches who are quarantined, who are self-isolating, or who are practicing social distancing, here is a list of alternative ways to celebrate the equinox respectfully and safely. Some of these are also excellent quarantine boredom busters! Most also require a low amount of energy, so if you’re symptomatic, but not critical, you can still find ways to participate in your craft.
~research flowers; their correspondences, their medical uses, where they grow, how to grow them. If inclined, draw and label them in your grimoire. 🌿
~if possible, go outside where you can be a good distance from other people. If not possible, sit near an open window for some time. Get some sun on that skin. Remember you are alive. 🌼
~repot your plants or plant seedlings! Additionally, give your houseplants a good dusting. Low energy alternative: give your plants a smooch and tell them how precious they are. 🌿
~weird cleaning—I’m not talking about the disinfecting we’ve all been doing, I’m talking dust the tops of your bookshelves. Scrub the base boards. Wash the sheets and curtains. Invite the energy of spring inside! 🌼
~solitary spells to direct the vitality of spring to those who are currently fighting to breathe in hospitals. 🌿
~if quarantined or isolated with a partner and physically capable, have sex! Lots of sex! IT’S SPRING, GET FUCKED!! 🌼
~solitary spells to welcome back birds, greet newborn insects, and pay respect to hibernating animals that are waking. 🌿
~leave about offering for the fae. If you can’t spare resources like bread and milk, improvise! Pennies (shiny ones, because shiny gifts are appreciated, but money can be insulting), paper clips, leaves from houseplants or herbs, little bits of pretty fabric…really, the possibilities are endless. 🌼
~eat eggs! Dye eggs! Hide eggs and let your partner find them! Draw eggs! Basically anything to do with eggs. Including saying “egg” to yourself under your breath because it’s an inherently fun word. 🌿
~bake bread—i promise you, if you’ve never made bread before, this will take an entire afternoon. 🌼
~deep clean your altar. Clean it within an inch of its life. 🌿
~do candle magic instead of a bonfire. 🌼
~scry in a bowl of water, a gazing stone, or a candle flame. (Save the mirror for Yule.) 🌿
~prop the doors open and turn the fans on. Get a cross breeze if you can. 🌼
~with the doors and windows open, clean the energy of your space with a bell or by banging a wooden spoon against a pot while screaming at that old energy to gtfo of your space. (If you’re having trouble breathing, or if someone in your area is having trouble breathing, smoke-based energy cleansing methods are straight out. Do not do that.)🌿
~Just fucking scream. Screaming is very cathartic. Take the edge off that anxiety and celebrate being alive by just…shrieking at the top of your lungs. (Repeat as needed.) 🌿
~do some yoga in the sun. If you’re housebound, it will feel good to stretch and to move with purpose. 🌼
~do something creative. Paint, draw, write, make music, sing, dance, whatever, just create. You don’t even have to finish the project. 🌿
Stay safe, wash your hands, don’t give up hope, and happy Ostara, witchlings!