 Wishing You a Happy and Blessed Ostara 2008 Welcome to Ravenhawks' Ostara Newsletter. In this newsleter we will bring you crafts and foods for Ostara and Easter, spells and rituals to welcome spring and celebrate a new beginning. We hope you enjoy our offerings.
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Ostara/Spring Equinox/Vernal Equinox History
OSTARA (pronounced O-STAR-ah) is one of the Lesser Sabbats, may also be know by these names:[ Lady Day, Alban Eiler (Druidic), Eostara (Teutonic), Oestara, Eostra, Eos (Greek), Alban Eilir (Druidic), Spring Equinox, Vernal Equinox, Summer Finding (Asatru), Naw Ruz (Persian New Year), Alban Elfed, Festival of Trees, No Ruz, Ostra, Rites of Spring]and is usually celebrated on the Vernal or Spring Equinox right around March 21 (although because of its origins, may instead be celebrated on the fixed date of March 25). The Christian holiday of Easter is very near this same time, (notice the similarity in name?), and is determined as the first Sunday after the first Full Moon after the Vernal Equinox.
The name for this Sabbat actually comes from that of the Teutonic lunar Goddess, Eostre. Her chief symbols were the bunny (for fertility , and the egg (representing the cosmic egg of creation). This is where the customs of "Easter Eggs" and the "Easter Bunny" originated. Ostara is a fertility festival celebrating the birth of Spring and the reawakening of life from the Earth. At the moment of the Vernal Equinox night and day stand in perfect balance, with light on the increase The energies of Nature subtly shift from the sluggishness of Winter to the exuberant expansion of Spring. It is a time of great fertility, new growth, and newborn animals.
Easter gets its name from the Teutonic goddess of spring and the dawn, whose name is spelled Oestre or Eastre (the origin of the word "east" comes from various Germanic, Austro-Hungarian words for dawn that share the root for the word "aurora" which means " to shine").
In many traditions, this is the start of the New Year.
Persian New Year called Nawruz is celebrated on the Equinox. To the ancient Persians, March 21 marked the time when the sun crossed the equator and marked the beginning of the year for them.
The Roman year began on the ides of March (15th).
The astrological year begins on the equinox when the moon moves into the first sign of the Zodiac, Aries, the Ram.
The Greek God Ares is equivalent to the Roman Mars for whom the month of March is named.
Between the 12th century and 1752, March 25th was the day the year changed in England and Ireland. (March 25, 1212 was the day after March 24, 1211.)
Ostara Customs and Practices
Resurrection
We celebrate the renewal of life as seen by the newly emerging life in many forms all around us. A resurrection from all that looks dead is seen as the Earth regenerates and renews herself. This is symbolized in resurrection myths in many cultures and traditions.
There are many myths of the "Year Gods" ( Attis, Adonis, Osiris and Dionysus) - who like Christ die and are reborn. He is symbolic of the vegetation, dying each year (at harvest) to be reborn in the spring.
We celebrate the renewal of life as seen by the newly emerging life in many forms all around us. A resurrection from all that looks dead is seen as the Earth regenerates and renews herself. This is symbolized in resurrection myths in many cultures and traditions.
Eggs
Each year, on March 21, the ancient Persians celebrated the festival of the solar New Year by presenting each other with colored eggs.
The ancient Egyptians also celebrated the solar New Year by dyeing eggs and offering them up to their gods.
The Jews used eggs as a symbol of rebirth at the Passover.
During the Middle Ages people not only gave up meat for Lent but also eggs. It was a very precious gift to be given an egg for Easter because of harsh winters making food scarce. Children would often go from house to house to beg for Easter Eggs.
In ancient days, eggs were gathered and used for the creation of talismans and also ritually eaten. The gathering of different colored eggs from the nests of a variety of birds is thought to have given rise to two traditions still observed today - the Easter egg hunt, and coloring eggs in imitation of the various pastel colors of wild birds.
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Correspondences of Ostara  Plants and Herbs~~Honeysuckle, Iris, Peony, Violet, Woodruff, Gorse, Olive, Iris, Narcissus, Daffodils, Jonquils, Primrose, Forsythia, Crocus, all spring flowers, Blessed thistle, evergreen, moss, oak, sage, bay, bayberry, cedar, pine, frankincense, ginger, holly, ivy, juniper, mistletoe, myrrh, pinecones, rosemary, chamomile, cinnamon, valarion, yarrow
Colors~~Gold, light green, grass green, robin’s egg blue, lemon yellow, pale pink, anything pastel
Incense and Oils~~African violet, lotus, jasmine, rose, magnolia, sage lavender, narcissus, ginger, broom, strawberry
Stones~~Rose quartz, moonstone, amethyst, aquamarine, bloodstone, red jasper
Animals and Mythical Beings~~Unicorn, merpeople, Pegasus, rabbit, chicks, swallows, snakes, robins, lambs, dragons (associated with eggs the earth and fertility).
Goddess~~Eostre (Saxon Goddess of Fertility), Ostara (the German Goddess of Fertility) (Teutonic) Kore, Maiden, Isis, Astarte(Persia, GrecoRoman), Ishtar(Babylonian), Minerva(Roman), Youthful Goddesses. Faerie Queen, Lady of the Lake(Welsh-Cornish), the Green Goddess
Gods~~Hare, Green Man, Youthful Gods, Warrior Gods, Taliesin, Lord of the Greenwood (English), Dagda(Irish), Cernunnos(Greco-Celtic), Pan(Greek), Adonis(Greek)
Symbols~~Colored eggs, baskets, green clothes, shamrock, equilateral cross, butterfly, cocoons, sprouting plants; violets, lily, spring wildflowers, new clothes, lamb, hare/rabbit
Foods~~Light foods, fish, maple sugar candies, hot crossed buns, sweet breads, hard boiled eggs, honey cakes, seasonal fruits, milk punch, egg drinks, chocolates, lamb, seeds, leafy green vegetables, spiced or flower cupcakes.
Activities~~egg baskets, coloring eggs, bird watching, egg hunts, starting new projects, spring planting.making/wearing new clothing.
Spellwork~~fertility rites, rituals of balance, herb work: [magical, medicinal, cosmetic, culinary and artistic,] spells for prosperity/fertility, new beginnings, potential, action, Personal renewal, world peace, honoring family & friends, Festival of light, meditation
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Altar Tools  Now Available At Ravenhawks' Magickal Mystical Places,
Cauldrons~~Athames/Daggers/Swords~~Wands~~Chalice~~
Altar Cloth~~Bell~~ Altar Tiles~~Altar Bowls.
Altar Tools |
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Notions, Potions, and Spells  Herb/Plant~~Yarrow Achillea millefolium
Other Names: Milfoil, Old Man's Pepper, Soldier's Woundwort, Knight's Milfoil, Thousand Weed, Nose Bleed, Carpenter's Weed, Bloodwort, Staunchweed.
Yarrow is very common along roadsides and in old fields, pastures, and meadows in the eastern and central United States and Canada.
Parts Used: Gather stem, leaves and flower heads in bloom, dry for later herb use. Dry herb edible as a spice or flavoring, strong sage flavor.
Medicinal Uses: ~ Yarrow is a very valuable medicinal herb, with much scientific evidence of use in alternative medicine as an antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogue, stimulant, and tonics, vasodilator and vulnerary. Yarrow is used against colds, cramps, fevers, kidney disorders, toothaches, skin irritations, and hemorrhages, and to regulate menses, stimulate the flow of bile, and purify the blood. Medicinal tea is a good remedy for severe colds and flu, for stomach ulcers, amenorrhea, abdominal cramps, abscesses, trauma and bleeding, and to reduce inflammation. Extracts of yarrow exhibit antibiotic activity and may also act as anti-neoplastic drugs. Externally for treating wounds and stopping the flow of blood. Yarrow oil has been traditionally used in hair shampoos. Some caution is advised , large or frequent doses taken over a long period may cause the skin to be more sensitive to sunlight.
Magickal Properties
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Uses: Courage, happy marriage, love, psychic powers, exorcism, longevity
Stone~Aquamarine beryl stone, Found in the US, Mexico, USSR, Brazil, and India. Has a soothing influence. This stone is usually clear light blue, blue-green. The stone also occurs in a golden yellow color. It is a good stone for teachers, counselors, chiropractors, genetic engineers, lecturers, and massage, reiki and crystal therapy practitioners. Was given to sailors as protection against drowning and for courage in battle. Used to symbolize the moon due to its connection to the Earth's tides.
This stone has the calming, soothing energy of the sea. This is the stone of courage. Tranquilizing, uplifting, openness, innocence, lightheartedness, creativity, communication, self-awareness, confidence, purpose. Throat, Spleen, Heart Chakra. Used for protection on journeys, especially those who travel on water. Affects etheric and mental levels. Helps stabilize and harmonize unsettled surroundings. Helps reduce fears. Has an affinity with sensitive and mystical people. Increases creativity and sharpens intuition. Excellent stone for meditation. Helps one attune to nature. Quiets the mind and reduces stress. Helps bring about a tolerance toward others. Recommended as a purifier of the throat and helps sore throats. Clears blocked communication and aids the user in verbal expression. This stone allows us to find our individually and be ourselves. It is helpful to those who wear it, in regards to finding love, promoting fidelity and smoothing out differences between others.
Medicinal Use
A great stone for stress relief. This crystal is used to strengthen the immune system, thymus, lymphnodes, Filters out unnecessary information to the brain. Calms the nerves. Clarifies perception and strengthens the body's cleansing organs such as the liver, spleen, thyroid, and kidneys. Helps the eyes, jaw, neck, stomach, teeth, throat, mouth and ears. This is a very important stone for the Thymus. Releases anxiety, fear, restlessness, peaceful stillness. Allows for better breathing with allergies. This is good stone when recovering from and illness.
Color~Lavender:
Lavender is the color of equilibrium, it helps with spiritual healing.[ The Violet Flame - is supposedly charged with the light of divine freedom. It is used to burn off karma from other lifetimes on all levels. ]6th chakra-Intuition, Dignity, Spiritual Shield.
Other: Psychic Growth, Divination, Blessings. Peace, Serenity and Dreaming Magick. Connecting to spirit, the opening of the third eye, the clearing of the head, purging the auric field of distortions.
Expelling Bad Luck Entities and Energy from home
The first thing to do is clean the vibrations in your space.
Take a small amount of salt in one hand and hold the other hand over it invoke the Blessing of Divine Light and Divine Love into the salt[cleansing agent] Now sprinkle a few grains of the salt in every corner and closet of the house. For your personal cleansing use a bit of sea salt in your bath. It will help with cleansing your aura, To help keep these entities out of your space burn patchouli or frankincense for three days and ask that good luck and good fortune return to your life. You may add a talisman to help keep your energy positive.
Dragon Smoke Bath Salts
for prosperity
1 cup salt
5 drops cherry oil
2 drops anise oil
Spirit Blessing Bath Salt
1 cup salt
4 drops frankincense oil
8 drops lotus oil
4 drops lavender oil
4 drops rose oil
Part = Tablespoon or cup measurement
End Negativity Incense
Marjoram 1
Thyme 1
Oregano 1/2
Bay Leaves 1/4
Cloves 1/4
Ostara Incense
1 part Benzoin
1 part Dragon's Blood
1/2 part Nutmeg
1/2 part Violets
1/2 part Orange Peel
1/2 part Rose
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Seven Day Ritual Candle This seven-day ritual candle can be used to influence your life
in matters of money, love, and luck. Click the link below for other 7 day candles and 7 day Jar refills.
Candles |  |
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Foods to Celebrate Ostara Liebkuchen
(Honey Cakes)
1 cup margarine
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup honey
1 cup sour milk* (see below)
2 Tablespoons vinegar
6 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon mace
1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
Prepare sour milk and mix dry ingredients. Set both aside. Cream margarine and sugar, add egg, beat until light. Add honey, sour milk and vinegar. Mix thoroughly. Chill one hour. Roll out to 1/4" thickness. Cut into 2"x3" rectangles and place on buttered cookie sheets. Bake at 375° for 6 minutes. Frost with plain vanilla frosting.
* For sour milk, add 1 T. vinegar to 1 c. milk and let stand for 10 minutes.
Hot Cross Buns
3/4 cup milk
1 package active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
2 eggs
3 1/4 cups (or more) flour
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup raisins (optional
Heat the milk in a saucepan on low heat until warm. Stir the yeast into the water and let sit for 5 minutes. Mix the warm milk, sugar, salt, butter, and eggs together in a bowl and beat on medium for 1 minute. Add the yeast mixture and beat for 30 more seconds. Beat in 1 1/2 cups of flour and the spices, then cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 1 hour. Add the rest of the flour and knead it in. If it's still not handleable, you may have to add up to almost a cup more flour. Flour it until you can knead it and then do so, finally working in the raisins. Punch it down to 1/2 inch thickness and cut in 2 1/2-inch rounds. Let them rise on a buttered sheet for 1 hour. Snip in crosses with kitchen scissors and bake for 15 minutes at 375º F. Cool on a wire rack. When cool, pipe on frosting if desired.
Sugar 'N Spice Cakes
3/4 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3 eggs
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla
frosting and decorations
Cream shortening and then slowly add the two sugars, beating well (if using an electric mixer, use medium). Add the eggs one at a time. In a separate bowl, combine flour with baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cloves, then add that mixture to the cream mix alternately with the cup of buttermilk (starting and ending with the flour mix). Stir in the vanilla last. Grease pans--either 2 9-inch cake pans or cupcake tins--cover with wax paper and grease wax paper. Pour batter in and bake at 350º F for 30-35 minutes (if baking cakes) or 20 minutes (if baking cupcakes). Cool in pans 10 minutes, then remove and let cool on wire rack. Spread on frosting when cool.
Frosting and Decorations
thin white icing
food coloring
Jelly beans
Malted Milk eggs.
thin whhite icing
1/3 cup butter
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons hot water
Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Then add sugar and vanilla. (Comes out smoother if the powdered sugar is sifted first.) Stir in water 1 tablespoon at a time until smooth--you don't have to stir all three tablespoons in if the icing approaches desired thickness before you do--three tablespoons makes it just slightly capable of being drizzled.
[If you are going to flavor and color your icings, it's best to only add at the most two tablespoons of hot water.]
Icing may be colored and flavored to match your taste. Arrange malted egg as center of flower and colored jelly beans as flower petals.. be as creative as you like..
Honey Glazed Chicken
1 [4-pound ]roasting chicken
Salt and pepper to taste
1 Large apple, peeled, cored, and quartered
1 Large onion, sliced
Pinch of clove, cinnamon
4 tablespoons butter, melted
4 tablespoons honey, divided
Season the chicken inside and out with salt and pepper to taste
Toss the apple and onion with the cloves and cinnamon, fill cavity of chicken and tie it shut. Btush the chicken with melted butter and place it in a roasting pan. Brush 2 tablespoons of honey on top. Cook for about 1 1/2 hours at 325 degrees, basting frequently. Halfway through the cooking brush on the remaning honey. Serve Hot, Serve 4.
Prosperity Pudding
6 oz
2 tablespoons
Salt
Pepper
Soak peas in water overnight. Drain
Place the peas on a muslin cloth. Tie up the corners to form a bag.
Allow enough room for peas to swell. Bring a large pot of water to boil; add the bag. Simmer for 3 hours. Transfer the peas to a bowl bear in the butter salt and pepper until smooth.
3 servings
magickal attributes: Accomplishment, wealth, love divination.
Fellowship Fruit Cup
2 ripe bananas, sliced
1 8-ounce can pineapple chunks
2 kiwi fruits, peeled and sliced
2 cups strawberries, sliced
2 ripe pears, peeled and sliced
2 navel oranges, peeled and sectioned
3 cups melon balls
1 8-ounce can mandarin oranges
2 apples, peeled and sliced
1 cup blueberries
2 cups grapes
1/4 cup shredded coconut
16 ounces of vanilla yogurt
3 tablespoons dark honey
Place fruits together in a large bowl, blending in the yogurt and honey as you go. Allow to sit overnight in the fridge for fullest flavor.
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Crafts for Ostara/Spring Equinox
Natural Egg Dyes
Boiling a single onion skin with a few eggs will give you a soft orange-do this when you are cooking them in a separate pot to avoid over cooking.
Orange to red/brown is obtained from onionskins. Gather the dry outer skins of onions. It takes several cups of skins. Cover with water and boil for about 30 minutes. Add the eggs. Watch the color. You can dye various hues of orange to brown depending on length of time in the dye.
One half teaspoon of turmeric gives a sunny yellow.
Another way to obtain a clear, bright yellow is from the inner bark of apple branches. Prune a few small branches (not limbs) from an apple tree. Scrape the bark into a pot. Cover with water and boil for about 30 minutes. To roughly 3/4 cup of bark and 2 quarts of water, add 1 scant teaspoon of alum. The alum will bring out the yellow dye.
Beet juice and vinegar make pink
A soft, robin's egg blue is obtained by boiling red cabbage. Slice the cabbage. Cover with water and boil for 30 minutes. Let the cabbage dye cool. This dye will look purple, but will dye the eggs blue. NOTE: Cabbage dye does not work when it is very hot. It will only dye the eggs when it cools.
Concord grape juice -lavender/gray
Ground coffee-creamy brown
Cinnamon powder-light mahogany
Black tea-reddish/tan
Carrot tops-soft gold
Blackberries-plum
Blueberries-deep blue
Paprika-light orange
Spinach-soft green
Cranberry juice-pink
Raspberries-pink
Yellow delicious apple peels-light green-gold
Cumin-light yellow
You can rub blueberries and cranberries right on the shells for soft blues and pink. Blend them for another pretty result.
Color your Flowers
Put water into three glasses and add drops of food coloring to each. Stand white flowers in each glass-good choices are daisies or carnations. After a few days the petals will start to change color. Leave for two more days and the flowers will be the same color as the water they're standing in. Great way to create colorful center pieces or altar decorations.
Flight of Fancy
Glittering paper butterflies add a magical touch to an[Easter ]basket. Color-copy or print butterfly images from copyright-free illustration books or CD-ROMs. Print two copies of each design and glue them back-to-back so they're two-sided. Gently bend up the butterfly wings, lightly spray with adhesive, and sprinkle with glitter. Let dry and glue several to an [Easter] basket. Fill basket with colored eggs or flowers for a unique centerpiece or altar decoration.
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Childrens' World  MAKE A SEED COLLAGE
One prime symbol of the Spring Equinox is the seed, which holds the very essence of life within their tiny shells. Seeds, which come in many colors, sizes and shapes, can make beautiful craft collages. They can be used the same way as glitter can be in art. All you need is a large assortment of seeds (which can be purchased in bulk from gardening supply outlets), some white craft glue, and poster board or cardboard. Lighter paper doesn’t work as well, as it will rarely hold up under the weight of the seeds and glue.
The child may want to begin by sketching out a design on the card board, or may wish to wing it, free-style. Either method is fine. Have the child spread some craft glue with a pop stick in whatever shape they wish to achieve, then sprinkle a heavy layer of seeds on the glue. Tilt the cardboard and gently shake off excess. Spread more glue on another section, then sprinkle more seeds. Do this until the picture is complete, then set it aside to dry.
Recipe/Craft
Birds Nest
This fun crafty recipe is not only adorable when done, but it's tasty too! Sit the kids town to make this fun spring project. Be sure to make extras for friends and family.
You will need:
chow mein noodles
chocolate chips or brick chocolate
jelly beans
candy coated chocolate eggs
marshmallow chicks
peanut butter
wax paper
paper plates (colored plates optional)
Instructions:
Place squares of wax paper onto to individual plates.
Put chow mien noodles in a large bowl. If using brick chocolate, break into pieces. Melt chocolate chips or pieces in the microwave, or over low heat on stove, just until melted. Pour melted chocolate over chow mien noodles, mix together to coat. Place mounds of chocolate/chow mien mixture onto several plates (on top of waxed paper). Have children form the mixtures into nests. Be sure the chocolate has cooled, but don't wait too long or it will harden!
Using peanut butter as an adhesive, "glue" down the jelly beans and candy coated chocolate eggs inside the nest cavity. "Glue" marshmallow chick on the edge of or inside of the nest.
These make fun gifts from kids to their friends, teacher and family members. You can also make these nests at birthday parties as a fun and edible take home party favor.
BOOKS
A New Beginning (Hardcover)
by Wendy Pfeffer (Author), Linda Bleck (Illustrator)
The Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
The spring equinox signals the time of year when the days are getting longer, the growing season has begun, and animals give birth to their young. With accessible, lyrical prose and vibrant illustrations, this book explains the science behind spring and shows how the annual “rebirth” of Earth has been celebrated by various cultures throughout the ages and the world.
Poetry
Hurt no living thing
Hurt no living thing:
Ladybird, nor butterfly.
Nor moth with dusty wing,
Nor cricket chirping cheerily,
Nor grasshopper so light of leap,
Nor dancing gnat, nor beetle fat,
Nor harmless worms that creep.
Included in Sing Song and other Poems for Children
by Christina G Rossetti.
Buy Book Here |
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Poetry Corner The sun was warm but the wind was chill.
You know how it is with an April day.
When the sun is out and the wind is still,
You're one month on in the middle of May.
But if you so much as dare to speak,
a cloud come over the sunlit arch,
And wind comes off a frozen peak,
And you're two months back in the middle of March.
- Robert Frost
The cock is crowing,
The stream is flowing,
The small birds twitter,
The lake doth glitter,
The green field sleeps in the sun;
The oldest and youngest
Are at work with the strongest;
The cattle are grazing,
Their heads never raising;
There are forty feeding like one!
Like an army defeated
The snow hath retreated,
And now doth fare ill
On the top of the bare hill;
The Plowboy is whooping-anon-anon:
There's joy in the mountains;
There's life in the fountains;
Small clouds are sailing,
The rain is over and gone!"
- William Wordsworth, March
"I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze."
- William Wordsworth, Daffodils
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Love and Light
--The Team at (Ravenhawks')
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