Ostara Lore and Legend

Hey everyone!

Well it's getting close now to the Ostara celebration for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. Since it's happening this week I wanted to do a post or two about all things Ostara.

Ok so Ostara is the celebration that lands on the spring equinox which happens on Wednesday, March 20 this year. The name Ostara is derived from the name of a Germanic goddess called Eostre, who is also the namesake of Easter (though that is a story for another day). Eostre is the goddess of springtime and flowers and much of what we know about Eostre comes from the Venerable Bede's Temporum Ratione which was written about thirteen hundred years ago. According to this April is known as Eostremonth and the goddess Eostre is honored as the patron goddess of the spring. Unfortunately no Germanic, or Norse, mythologies show any reference to Eostre so her existence is contested by some. Regardless she stands as a symbol of fertility and new life at this time.

Spring Has Sprung

Okay....so I am finally going to get back into the swing of things and start posting again...YAY!!!

This is pretty late but I wanted to post something about Imbolc and its tradition and lore.

Imbolc (also spelled Imbolg or Oimelc) refers to the cross-quarter or the halfway mark between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox and celebrates the beginning of spring and the return of daylight.

Though the terms are often used interchangeably, Imbolc is not the same festival as Candlemas. Imbolc is celebrated on January 31-February 1 and is of Gaelic origin while Candlemas is celebrated on February 2 and is of Roman Catholic origin. Within the Roman Catholic church, it is tradition to purify a mother forty days after the birth of a son. February 2 is exactly forty days after the birth of Jesus and this day celebrates the purification of Mary and the presentation of the newborn Jesus.

So back to Imbolc! Like I said before, Imbolc is the festival marking the beginning of spring. It is one of the four Celtic festivals that we have record of, the others being Samhain, Beltaine, and Lughnassadh. Originally Imbolc was directly associated with the lambing season, the time of the year when the ewes begin to lactate. Because it is a festival celebrating hearth, home, spring and light, common traditions involve hearthfires, purification and cleansing rituals, and kitchen magicks. Candles are also a common sight during this festival to celebrate the lengthening days and the return of daylight and warmth.

This festival is most closely associated with the Gaelic goddess Brighid (Brigit, Brid, Brighde, Bridget) also known as Saint Brighid in Catholicism. Legend says that Brighid would visit the households of the virtuous on Imbolc Eve and bless those within. Items of clothing would be left outside in homes that Brighid would bless the cloth and bestow upon them powers of healing and protection. The ashes of the nights fire would be raked smooth and checking the next dawn to see if Brighid's mark would appear.

The main reoccuring concept of Imbolc is the return of light and the beginning of spring. This is a time to focus on new beginnings, fresh starts, and life in general. Do some spring cleaning, take some time to meditate on what you want to change this year, go outside to experience the sights and sounds of Mother Earth reawakening after her winter slumber.

This is all for now, I'll be back though.
As always blessed be!

Pentagrams Throughout History

Hey everyone!

I am SO excited! I just got a new piece of jewelry, every girl's wet dream :). This is even more special because it is Pentacle of the Goddess and this is my first pentagram.

I have been leery of wearing the pentacle in public due to the negative connotations surrounding the pentagram and its associations with Satanism and black magick. However I found this necklace and it is just so beautiful (and I am sick and tired of succumbing to the expectations and ideals of the masses) that I had to get it.

I love the knot-work feel to both the pentagram and the flower design, it gives it a Celtic aspect almost. My favorite thing about the necklace is the fact that it takes a symbol of faith and divinity for so many and adds to it femininity, strength, and nature in a gorgeous display.

For those of ya'll who don't know, the pentagram is a big aspect of pagan culture, especially Wiccan. But it is also important in other religions and cultures, including Ancient Christianity. I can see the "Holy Crap" faces now, but it is true. The Ancient Christians believed that the five points of the pentagram were directly associated with the five wounds that Christ received while on the cross and that it warded off demons and other evil spirits.

We've Hit 1000!!!!

I cannot believe that ya'll have come back over 1000 times. That is freakin' incredible. I know for the veteran bloggers out their, 1000 is miniscule compared to their number of pageviews. But for a girl who's only been blogging for a few months, and who has been slacking in the past one [:( SORRY!], 1000 views is unbelievable. I love you guys, ya'll are amazing, and I promise, promise, promise, that I will get back to posting.

As Always (but with some added love today)
Blessed Be!!

Apologies

Hey guys!

I am so sorry I haven't been posting these past few weeks. It's just been so hectic with school and work and studying and family and trying to squeeze in some time to focus on my path. But I will defenitely get back to posting on a regular schedule.

One exciting thing though, is that I have joined a group on campus that is focused on education and acceptance for pagan practices. The group is called Earth Spirit Association (ESA for short). It was started last year at my campus but unfortunatley I was not aware of it. It's really exciting for me that GSU has this group now because I finally have a community of like-minded individuals to go to when I have questions or concerns. Up until now I had never even met another pagan face to face, so this is a big deal to me.

Well this post is gonna be kinda short, but I promise that I'm gonna post another one either later today or tomorrow that will be longer. I am also gonna try and catch up with PBP posts that I have gotten behind on.

Glad to back up.
Blessed Be!