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Monday, 18 March 2013

Ostara, Oestara Spring Blessing Ritual


Ostara Candle Blessing

I am all about simplicity when it comes to performing blessings or celebrations. We don’t always have the time to bring together a list of complicated ingredients that some spells and blessings may require. Therefore I thought I would write a simple Oestara blessing ritual for you. I hope you like it, please feel free to share/comment etc.

Ostara or Oestara marks the beginning of the Spring in the Pagan Wheel of the Year. It is a time for new beginnings and a time for growth. We are starting to see the first daffodils and crocuses, buds are forming on the trees, the world feels more alive somehow as the light returns. Ostara is a time of awakenings, our mother earth is awakening, and animals are coming out of hibernation. It is a time to ask ourselves what do we need to awaken within our selves. Is there something that you have within you that has been lying dormant? An idea for a new business perhaps? Some home decorating or a new friendship? Now is the time to stir those awakenings within us and concentrate on unfurling the leaves of our desire.

This is a very simple blessing designed to concentrate your intent and to celebrate the wonder that is our Mother Earth Gaia and all that she provides for us.

You will need ;
A candle, preferably in the colours of spring,  as noted in my previous post on associations. Green Yellow or white would be good choices here.
A sprig of greenery from your garden or local park. Anything that represents new growth would be good here, it might be a daffodil or other spring flower or a piece of a tree or bush that is beginning to sprout into life. Remember to thank the tree or plant for giving away a part of it’s growth freely.
A permanent marker pen
A small dish for the candle to stand in, preferably again in spring colours.

Now take your marker pen and draw on your candle something of significance to you. It may be a pentacle or some other Pagan symbol. You could draw a triple goddess symbol to represent the maiden mother and crone. Alternatively you could draw your own symbol to represent your own new beginnings: a spade for example if you are planning to dig over your vegetable patch or a heart if you are looking for new love in your life.
Ostara Comments
~Magickal Graphics~

Once you are happy with your artwork, place the candle on your dish placing your sprig of greenery in front of it. Light the candle and mediate on what you would like in your future, what new awakenings you wish to stir by performing this simple blessings.



You may like to read out your favourite Ostara blessing or use this simple one that I have written:

Lord and Lady of the spring I welcome you into my heart.
I thank you for bringing the light and warmth back to our world.
Just as Persephone brought the spring so may we continue to enjoy her bounty.
I thank you for all the growth and new awakenings I see all around me.
Please be by my side as I welcome the new awakenings within me.
I ask that you bless the projects I am about to undertake.
Please bless my family, friends and animals that they may all have a happy and fruitful springtime.
May Ostara bring with it hope and fulfillment for the coming year.
I thank you lord and lady of the spring and keep you close within my home.

This can be easily adapted to your own needs and wishes or why not have a go at writing your own.

Polly Taskey at Pagan by Design has also written a lovely post about the awakening we experience at Ostara.
http://paganbydesign.blogspot.co.uk/

This is another lovely verse I found written by Carolyn Clark. It may be found in
Creating Circles & Ceremonies: Rituals for All Seasons and Reasons [Paperback]

Come to us, Holy Maiden,
Cloaked in the green and yellow of daffodils.
With your smile thaw the frozen springs,
Let the waters gush out,
The birth waters of the world.
Bless the buds on the apple trees and the seeds.
We hide in the dark, moist womb of our mother.
Dance the lengthening days of Spring,
And sing the summer into being.
Carolyn Clark

Once you have completed your ceremony, gently blow out the candle, keeping it’s light alive in your heart. Whenever you need some extra strength or to be reminded of your path, light the candle again and just spend a few minutes in meditation.

Sources
Creating Circles & Ceremonies: Rituals for All Seasons and Reasons [Paperback]
Oberon Zell-Ravenheart (Author), Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart (Author)


  www.magickalgraphics.com










2 comments:

  1. Oh I LOVE this post! Thank you for mentioning my post as well. Blessings of Ostara to you! :)

    ReplyDelete