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Article Specs Article ID: 15009 VoxAcct: 331237 Section: holidays Age Group: Adult Days Up: 426 Times Read: 1,418 RSS Views: 81,514 Ostara! Author: Katze von der Nacht Drachen Posted: March 25th. 2012 Times Viewed: 1,418 Eggs... baskets... candy! breads and colours! Colours are abound everywhere and the air is easier to breathe. It is Ostara and even this far into the desert of the lone southwest of Las Vegas we can feel it. What is Ostara... exactly? Well, there isn't an 'exact' outline to draw Ostara/ Eostre with. That would be like asking a honeybee: "What compels you to make honey... really". They do it because it's in their nature. The Spring Equinox is well... in our nature! :) And the celebration comes in so many forms! All of them special, all of them unique, and all of them filled with children! Yes! Children! The youth of the God and Goddess literally "springs" into action and we are stampeded by giggling, cajoling, riotous youngsters who firmly believe that only a rabbit can deliver coloured eggs and chocolate. ;) Talented rabbit, yes? (Of course, we can't forget the Easter Beagle...) Seriously though, the Judean/Christian Faiths and the Pagan/Heathen Paths seem to run parallel to each other, once in a while crossing an intersection or two, and we 'meet' on the solstices and equinoxes. History has shown mingling of cultures over the ages and because of that our cultures become more full and richer. This is one of those richly laden sabbats that has beautiful ribbons from both sides adorning the baskets, dresses, smart suits, and trees everywhere. The ‘rising’ of the Son/Sun/God marks the start of the holiday. Not the "birth" but the "rising"- The Oak and Holly King vie for the hand of the Goddess Maiden (guess who wins ;-) ) and She becomes pregnant (but They don't get "married" until Litha...) - nine months later (Yule) the Sun God is "born". But I digress... For now, the Charge of Spring is coursing through the Rising God/ Rising Son... rebirth is at hand and all living things take notice. We seem to move faster, more freely. We talk longer to old friends (or are compelled to look them up) , we seek out farmer's markets and craft fairs, and we decorate everything! Our souls and bodies take another 'interest'... *ahem*, as well. Take a look at the birth announcements- they have a slightly higher number in Spring and Winter. The Judean/Christian Faiths bring Jesus into the story for a list of reasons that have been just as educational as they have been hurtful (Pagans don't have a clean slate either...) . The story that I like is the one with Mary Magdalene in the foreground- when Jesus talked to Her and comforted Her- letting Mary know that He was alright and that things would be in Her hands for a little while and that He trusted Her and was shedding His warmth all around Her. And the Goddess goes through the same thing almost... the God comforts Her, stays with Her, and lets Her know that 'this half of the year will be fruitful because You're in it and You're not alone right now, I'm going to be there for You...'. And that's what Spring really is: a way to comfort each other and say: "Nature's Winter and our own is gone for now- we still have each other- let's enjoy the warmth and get back into the Light for a little while!" Now, I know that lots of people have lots of different views on the Jesus/Mary story and even more have different views on the God/Goddess stories, but essentially... "Easter/Ostara/Eostre" is a holiday of true love, of comforting and courting, and a day of youthful thoughts and dreams. We bake breads that are round and full, like the light of the Sun. We colour and hide eggs out of respect of the bounty that will be "hidden and sought after" for the coming year, and we revel in our children. And the kids know it. They do! You can hear it when they talk- even the little ones when they first start to speak... their eyes are wider, their faces are glowing, and their excitement is an echo of the God and Goddess' own voices as they revel in Each Other! This Ostara is embedded in 2012. I know- heck of a foreshadowing for those that are shying away from December, but!... for every Shadow cast- Light is there... The Crone Herself has given the Wheel to the Maiden, The Holly King has handed the crown to the Oak King. Seasons turn, and all things must turn with them. There is a great joy that rolls through our desert mountains, the rains that fall are the smiling tears of the Sky and Earth as They get a chance to be close once more, and even the Valley of Fire has colours to offer in celebration! Yes, the desert blooms- and the colours that show are vibrant- defiant almost- of the previous signs of the winter greys. Planting begins (or has already started for some of us) , and we sink our hands deep into the Earth and listen to Her sigh as She takes in the warmth of the Sun. Seeds and bulbs that were nestled in the deep snows and frozen grounds are breaking through- being 'reborn' unto light and heat and love. Encouragement and reassurance is everywhere and in everything! So, whether you believe in the Bible story or the Heathen story... One part remains the same: "Your Wheel, My Love..." I have not left you. I have not forgotten You. You have had my Love for ages past and the Wheel ensures that it will last. Maiden, you have called for Me, and My path is lit by Your Flame... I offer all of myself to Thee And serve in Your Name! Fear not, Your Winter has passed as well has Mine. And bathed in new warmth, both of Us shall rise... For You have turned the Wheel and summoned Me to Your lands... My Maiden, My Love... I offer You My heart and My hands... So much to consider when the passage of Spring is laid before us, all around us, and pulled out from deep within. We are wells of joy and sorrow, we celebrate a new addition to the family and say farewell to those who must walk through Shadow. We tie ribbons of ranging colours to share the laughter and strengths that our faiths have encouraged us to find (like dyed eggs... hmmm) and most of all... most importantly... We cleanse our homes and hearts, open our doors and windows, and let ourselves truly 'breathe' as if we had been held under the surface of a frozen lake. Our hibernations are over. Shake off the left over winter coats, brush out the brambles, and call a few friends over for 'house cleaning parties'. Go for hikes and welcome the God home as you spy the new deer, the wandering mountain goat kids, and even your own "kids". Bathe the Goddess in colours and light as you change out the curtains and till the soil for 'new ground'. Ostara isn't just eggs and baskets... Easter isn't just Jesus rising before His Wife, Mary... This is about change, rebirth, new Life, reassurance, and hope. We seek out these things and revel when we find them. Ever hear a child scream for joy when they've found their first egg? Pretty neat, eh? This year, in 2012... The Lord and Lady have visited us with a new strength and with richer voices to reassure us that "for every Shadow there is a Light"... Brightest Blessings, ZenKat ABOUT... Katze von der Nacht Drachen Location: North Las Vegas, Nevada Author's Profile: To learn more about Katze von der Nacht Drachen - Click HERE Other Articles: Katze von der Nacht Drachen has posted 1 additional articles- View them? Other Listings: To view ALL of my listings: Click HERE Email Katze von der Nacht Drachen... (Yes! I have opted to receive invites to Pagan events, groups, and commercial sales) To send a private message to Katze von der Nacht Drachen ... 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