#pagan study

Let me preface by saying, even if you don't follow the wheel of the year, utilize the prompt here for whatever holiday you do celebrate, if you do! If you only recognize the equinoxes and solstices as days, use this prompt outline for those!

Next is Ostara, Circa March 20. Different cultures and spiritualities and different witches will celebrate or not celebrate this day. For those of us Pagans who do, here’s a bunch of posts. (None of these are mine, these are simply pages I’ve gathered from Tumblr at large to share here.All credit goes to the individuals who made the posts!)

Ostara Posts on Tumblr

Ostara Sounds/ Music

Ways to Celebrate

About Ostara/ Spring Equinox

Ostara

Spring Equinox/ Ostara

Celebrate

Outside Tumblr Sources

Wikipedia - Ostara & Spring Equinox

Celtic Connection

ThoguhtCo

History

Wild Hunt

These are just from a quick search. Take time to read, not only current writings and musings on the holiday and time of year, but look at historical texts and documentation of the holiday. That is where the truth of the season is.

The Prompt!

Okay! Make a new page, solely for Ostara/ Spring Equinox! 

Write out a description of the holiday. What is it? When is it? How is it traditionally celebrated? Why were things celebrated the way they were? What are the things that this holiday represents and stands for? This is the meat and potatoes of the holiday. Any and all bits of info aside from this are just the seasoning. Mine is a few small paragraphs about the holiday itself. 

Now make some lists. What are the colors used to decorate for this holiday? What are some incense/ oils/ candle scents that are commonly associated with this day? Gemstones? Herbs? Is there a moon phase or particular god/goddess associated with this holiday? What about animals? Flowers? Were there any traditional offerings left out on this holiday? And what foods were made on this day?

What are some of the activities you can do to celebrate this holiday? And what about magic and rituals. Are there any specific kinds of magic to perform on or around this day? Are there any poems or blessings associated with this holiday?

That’s a lot of info, I know. But now for the second part of the holiday prompt!

Make it your own!

Now, given all the information you’ve gathered, make your own small ritual to be performed on Ostara/ the Spring Equinox. To do this, I suggest a scrap paper to brainstorm on. Here’s some things to keep in mind and help write out your ritual. 

What is the theme/ purpose of the ritual? (Healing ritual? Cleansing? Renewal of intentions? Welcoming the light?)

What are the tools you’ll use and what is the purpose/ association it has? (candles, athame/ sacred blade, incense, gemstones etc)

What power(s) are you calling upon for the ritual and why? (elements, deities, sun/ moon, personal power, etc)

How do you set it up? Is there specific placement of the tools? Direction to face when calling the above powers? Do you cast a circle? Or do you simply light a candle and bow your head in a moment of silent prayer/ meditation?

Good Luck and Happy Crafting!

I’m sick of hearing about how “disrespectful” most of the pagan community is in terms of cultural appropriation. No one can tell you that you are being disrespectful. Disrespect is based on a persons intention and motivation. You are only disrespectful if you know all the facts and continue to do something even though you know it is wrong.

Not conforming to someone else’s opinion is not disrespectful.

If you use the wrong word to describe something because it is a common word and the “correct definition” is not as well known as the common definition, then IT’S OK!! You are NOT a bad person and you do NOT need to feel guilty. Do you research and find proper resources for everything before you go believing it. Don’t believe everything you read on Tumblr.