Ostara 2009

Due to life happening... we missed the full moon this month... Ugg. Missed it totally... So I think that this month we will celebrate the new moon (more on that later!)... and of course OSTARA! This is one of my favourite holidays - even though it is considered a minor Sabbat... I love the newness and the feeling of renewal that this change of season brings...

I know for our family - this holiday brings the hope that winter really is over... and the knowledge that there is probably at least one more good storm in there... We do love the winter here but by now our thirst for green spaces and blue sky is almost overwhelming!

So with all that in mind....

Our family ritual will involve a special candle or tea light as it may be.... decorate your alter with stuff that the kids find outside that shows that spring is on the way... Make some eggs - stressing that they are both a symbol of new life and of sustaining old... a perfect creation of our Goddess! There is a very cool experiment that you can do if you have some spare eggs -- that shows the amazingly strength of the structure of the egg --

The egg could almost be seen as the perfect metaphor for humanity... incredible strength paired with an extraordinary fragility.








Ostara 2009 - The Celebration of Spring!!!




First we need to collect stuff for the altar and look for signs of spring! We will go on a neighbourhood stomp seeking out signs of spring... perhaps the trail???

Come back with our treasures... and begin to dress the altar....

Move onto crafts -- representations of the Goddess and God for the season... whilst telling a tale of Ostara...

Need:

Foam sheets, stamps, paper, felts, other craft things... Two BIG sheets of paper... To trace two kids outlines

They will work together to create the Goddess Ostara and the Green Man....




Preparation / Setup	Three Beeswax tea lights -- Each deity and our New Spring Light All the stuff above... Libation bowl Egg shaped cookies (peanut butter chewies), milk
Greetings / Welcome	All Hail! Spring is here! Buds and leaves will soon appear! cheer!!!
Cleansing / Smudging	Sweep Sweep Sweep the floor - Worry and cares go out the door! Make sweeping motions toward the door whilst the laughter and merriment fills the space. Ring bells and bang drums.. Sprinkle area with salt and water....
Cast Circle / Protections	Then we will chant in the quarters, using the chant from Moving Breath: Oh, Spirit, Air Spirit Golden wings come dance with me (flap arms like a bird) Oh, Spirit, Fire Spirit Crimson passion burn in me (Hands up fire fingers) Oh, Spirit, Water Spirit Tears and ocean blend in me (Wave motions with arms) Oh, Spirit, Earth Spirit Stone and crystal steady me (Stomp feet firmly on ground) Hand to hand the circle is cast... say and squish hands together to cast... chant louder until we feel it - drop hands when cast.
Invite / Summon / Call	Lady Ostara, Lord of the Green... we invite you to share in our celebration of renewal and rebirth! The sun has won victory over the dark! We welcome you here!
Building Energy / Focus	It Is Spring (sung to "If You're Happy And You Know It") It is spring and it's time to fly a kite! It is spring and it's time to fly a kite! It is spring that's the season! We don't need a better reason! It is spring and it's time to fly a kite! AND: Spring Song (Tune: Are You Sleeping) It is spring time It is spring time Winter's gone Winter's gone Summer time is coming Summer time is coming It won't be long It won't be long
Primary Ritual Act	Blessing and Planting seeds... Bless these seeds, Lord and Lady, that they may grow and flourish as the hopes and aspirations of your children would do! Power Joy and Energy! (Chant this - starting small on the ground... then grow up towards the sky) When there is enough energy -- Yell -- Grow!
Offerings / Communion	Great Rite: HP kneels: holding challice... says... HPS- dips into challice with athame... "As the athame is to the male.. so the cup is to the female... and joined they become one in truth." kiss. Both sip and then hand to rest of coven... "may you never thirst" Cakes: HPS - holds plate and draws pentagram over while HP Says: Dearest Lady - Bless this food into our bodies. Give us Health Wealth strength joy and peace. Kiss Hand to coven... "may you never hunger"
Thanks / Dismissal	Our thanks dear Lady and our Lord for attending our Sabat! Hail and Farewell! (echo once) Earth Spirit (stomp), Water Spirit (woosh) Fire Spirit (fire fingers) Air (flap like bird) We thank you for your watchful care! Hail and Farewell! (Echo each direction - so 4 times....)
Grounding / Release	Slap the ground grab hands
Dissolve Circle / Protections	Hand to hand we release Our circle is uncast. Squish around once and then release up to the sky - sitting down right after...Slap the ground again
Release Group	The circle is open, and yet unbroken May the love of the Goddess be ever in your heart Merry meet and merry part And merry meet again.