Setting Up Your Ostara Altar



It's Ostara, and it's a time of year in which many Wiccans and Pagans choose celebrate the balance of light and dark that heralds the beginning of spring. It's a time to celebrate new life and rebirth -- not only the physical embodiment of renewal, but the spiritual as well. Try some -- or all -- of these ideas to ready your altar for Ostara.

Colors

To get an idea of what colors are appropriate for spring, all you really have to do is look outside. Notice the yellows of the forsythia blooming behind your house, the pale purples of lilacs, the green of new leaves appearing in the melting snow. Pastels are often considered spring colors as well, so feel free to add some pinks and blues into the mix if the idea strikes you. Decorate your altar in any of these colors -- try a pale green altar cloth with some purples and blues draped across it, and add some yellow or pink candles to carry the color up.

The Balance of the Equinox

Altar decor should reflect the theme of the Sabbat. Ostara is a time of balance between light and dark, so symbols of this polarity can be used. Use a god and goddess statue, a white candle and a black one, a sun and moon, even a yin/yang symbol.

New Life

Ostara is also a time of new growth and life -- add potted plants such as new crocuses, daffodils, lilies, and other magical spring flowers. This is the time of year when animals are bringing forth new life too -- put a basket of eggs on your altar, or figures of new lambs, rabbits, calves, etc. Add a chalice of milk or honey -- milk represents the lactating animals who have just given birth, and honey is long known as a symbol of abundance.

Other Symbols of the Season

Seeds and bulbs

Caterpillars, ladybugs, bumblebees

Symbols of nature deities -- Herne, Flora, Gaia, Attis, etc.

Gemstones and crystals such as aquamarine, rose quartz, and moonstone

Ritual fires in a cauldron or brazier



Comments

Post a Comment

Remember if You can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

Popular posts from this blog

Ears-OLD WIVES TALES, SUPERSTITIONS, OMENS AND FOLKLORE

EARS While the superstition of burning ears dates back years, there is no real indication of where it came from. Many superstitions that still exist today date back to the medieval days and are often rooted in pagan religions or the church. In the case of the burning ears, it is said that if your ears are burning, someone is talking about you. Now if you want to know if they are saying good things or bad things, remember this " Left for love, Right for spite! ". If your right ear itches, someone is speaking well of you. If your left ear itches, someone is speaking ill of you. Pinch your ear, and the person talking of you will bite his own tongue. If the right ear burns, it is a sign that some one is thinking well of you; if the left ear burns, it is a sign that some one is thinking unkindly of you; but if both ears burn, friend and foe are fighting about you. - Pennsylvania. If your ears burn, people are talking well of you; if your ears are cold, the contrary. -...
Read more

Medicinal Pickled Garlic

Image
  I have been making this wonderful Medicinal Pickled Garlic for years Here is the original recipe that I use. I want to share with you. I use this in recipes when I need some healing magick or just on it's own for real strength and healing. It is so good and so good for you. It takes awhile to peel all those garlic but it's well worth it, I separate each garlic into pieces and then I take a large knife and slightly smash each clove. makes it so much easier to peel each clove, I use each and every clove small and large and sperate them into the jar. Any honey will work and I buy Apple cider vinegar by the gallon because we use it for so many things. Medicinal Pickled Garlic  According to Gladstar’s book, “Garlic is the herb of choice in treating colds, flu, sore throats and poor or sluggish digestion… makes a potent internal and external antiseptic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial agent effective for treating many types of infection.”   That is some powerful stuff!...
Read more

Medicinal Pickled Garlic

Image
With cold and flu season coming up soon once again I am thinking ahead this year so I am making some medicines to have ready to fight back fast. According to Gladstar’s book, “Garlic is the herb of choice in treating colds, flu, sore throats and poor or sluggish digestion… makes a potent internal and external antiseptic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial agent effective for treating many types of infection.” That is some powerful stuff!  There is much more information in the book, it is a wonderful addition to your homesteading or prepping library. Peeled garlic cloves (enough to fill a jar) Raw apple cider vinegar Raw Local Honey Fill a mason jar with garlic cloves; use any size jar you like.  Fill the jar with apple cider vinegar to cover the garlic completely.  Place the jar in a warm place for 3-4 weeks. Medicinal Pickled Garlic ~ After 3-4 weeks, strain off the liquid(this is when you will add the honey).   Set ½ the liquid aside to use as you wis...
Read more