I donāt celebrate the festivals but for those that do, here is a lovely ritual to do. Have a blessed Ostara everyone.Ā
Decorate your altar with flowers, also make a circle of flowers around your plac of work, then strewn on the ground. The Cauldron can be filled with spring water and flowers, and buds and blossoms may be worn as well. A small potted plant should be placed on the altar.Ā
Arrange the altar, light the candle and incense, and cast the circle of stones. Recite the blessing chant. Invoke the Goddess and God (or which ever deities / spirits you work with). Stand before the altar and gaze upon the plant as you say (or similar words)
āO great Goddess, you have freeād yourself from the icy prison of winter. Now in the greening, when the fragrance of flower drifts on the breeze. This is the beginning of. Life is the beginning. Life renews itself by your magic, earth Goddess, and bursting with the promise of summerā
Touch the plant, Connect with its energies and. through it, all nature. Travel inside its leaves and stems through your visualization - from the center of your consciousness out through your arms and fingers and into the plant itself. Explore its inner nature; sense the miraculous processes of life at work within it. After a time, still touching the plant say.
ā I walk the earth in friendship, not in dominance. Mother Goddess and Father God (or whatever deities / spirits your working with) Instill within me through this plant a warmth for all living things. Teach me to revere the earth and allĀ its treasures. May I never forgetā
Meditate upon the the changing of the seasons. Feel the rousing of energy around you in the earth. Works of magic, If necessary, may follow. CelebrateĀ The Simple Feast. The Circle is released.Ā
a few drops patchouli oil ..Ā
Burn during spring and summer Sabbat ritualsĀ
A Traditional vernal equinox pastime; go to a field and randomly collect wildflowers * Or, buy some from a florist, taking one of two of those that appeal to you. Then bring them home and divine their magical meanings by the use of books, your own intuition,Ā a pendulum, or by other means, The flowers youāve choose reveal your inner thoughts and emotions.Ā
Its important at this time of renewal life to plan a walk (or a ride) through gardens a park, woodlands, forest, and other green places. This is not simply exercise, and you should be on no other mission. It isnāt even just a appreciation of nature. Make your walk celebratory a ritual of nature itself.
Other traditional activities include planting seeds, working on magical gardens, and practicing all forms of herb work.- magical, medicinal, cosmetic, culinary, and artistic.Ā
Foods in tune with this day (links your meals with this season is fine method of attuning with nature) include those made of seeds, such as sunflower, pumpkin, and sesame seeds, as well as pine nuts. Sprouts are equally appropriate, as are leafy green vegetables. Flower dishes such as stuffed nasturtiums or carnation cupcakes also find there places here. **Ā
*Ā Thank the flowers for their sacrifice before picking them.
**Find a book on flower cooking or simply make spice cupcakes, Ice with pink frosting and place a fresh carnation petal on each cupcake. Stuff nasturtiums blossoms with a mixture made of cream cheese, chopped nuts. chives, and watercress. Theyāre Hot.Ā
Taken from Scott Cunningham's bookĀ āWicca A Guide For the Solitary Practitionerā
Have a lovely celebration everyoneĀ