The Vernal Equinox, also known as Ostara, occurs on March 20 in the Northern Hemisphere (September in the Southern Hemisphere), when the sun reaches its zenith and the celestial sphere is exactly over the equator. The days and nights are nearly equal at Ostara, with the sun continuing to grow brighter while the days grow longer. The earth begins to awaken when there is more sunshine and the heat given off by the sun's angle. The plants emerging from the ground, trees budding leaves and flowers, animals that emerge from hibernation, and others that begin their mating season are all examples of this. It's the time of rebirth and rejuvenation. Life's cycle is starting again.

Many people who are familiar with Eostre continue to worship her. The rabbit, the egg, and the chick are all connected to Eostre. These emblems represent both fertility of land and animals as well as fertility of intellect.

Themes of Ostara:

 Birth, Change, Fertility, Power, Light, Abundance, Balance, Growth, Lust, New Beginnings, New Love, Passion, Prosperity, and Purification

Ostara also provides us with the opportunity to begin afresh on our internal selves. We cultivate our own emotional, mental, spiritual, or even physical crops that we hope to harvest by the end of the light half of the year so we can use the dark half of the year for rest and planning for the next light half of the year. In the end, they are all intended to be similar in nature. So, it shouldn't come as a surprise that these plans can cover anything from learning a new skill to starting a new fitness routine to constructing an addition on your property or anything else. It's now time to get things rolling, especially if it's something brand-new for you. It's an era of optimism, development, and expectation.

Making anything new a daily habit may be challenging at first. Finding the time and persevering with it are often the two most difficult aspects of incorporating a new element into your life. Still, you'll quickly discover that making more time to do the things you enjoy is easy. If something you try isn't working for you and after a few weeks you find yourself dreading it or viewing it as a burden, it's probably not right for you. There is nothing shameful in admitting that something didn't work out for you. Not every practice works for everyone, and there's nothing wrong with that. People are born with diverse talents and hobbies, and they acquire new skill sets all the time. This does not imply you have failed; rather, it indicates that you are budgeting and scheduling your time for what appears to be working well for you.

Helpful Ostara Tools:

Candles (Green, Light Blue, Pink, Silver, White, and Yellow)

Brooms

Herbs:

Lemon Verbena, Rose Buds & Petals, Clove Buds, Lemon Grass, Red and White Cedar, Red Sandalwood, Mullein Leaf, Red Clover Blossoms, and Sandalwood Resin.

Oils and Incense:

Lavender, Rosemary, Cypress, Rosewood, Lemon, Cedarwood, Clove, Sandalwood

 All of this information is provided for you as much as possible in the hopes that it may help... This is by no means a comprehensive list of all customs and correspondences. You are free to do as much or as little as you choose, utilizing any amount or type of knowledge that comes your way. It's your craft, after all.

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   Litha, also known as Midsummer or Summer Solstice has been observed in some way by many cultures. Though they may call them something different celebrate different, the same general theme can be seen woven throughout. A commonality is celebrating the Sun, as the driver of life, vital force, and energy. Fire, flowers/herbs, and other growing things (physical or figurative), are among some other common elements of this Sabbat. 

   On the wheel of the year, each part of the year holds a specific energy. The Sabbat during that time and the traditions/rituals done during this time, are usually a reflection of that energy. Midsummer themes include abundance, growth (literal in plants, but also growth of ideas, etc...), fertility, and a general increase in energy of every type. Mother and pregnant goddesses are honored during this time which could translate to celebrating mothers, family, and pregnancy.

Some other general themes:

Empowerment

Love (Growing, Self Love, Weddings, Hand Fastings)

The Sun

Increasing joy and abundance

Fae- good time to work with Fae magick

Green magick

How to celebrate, you ask?

   On the day of, (June 21, 2021), find a way to get outside! If work or daily life allows, go out at noon. You can also greet the sun as it rise and bid goodnight as it sets. If you can't get outside, open the windows and let the sun shine in. 

   Fire. Traditionally, there would be a celebration, dancing and such around a bonfire. If this is feasible for you, GREAT! Otherwise, any fire ritual will suffice. Cookout, perhaps?

   Offerings to the Faeries- Litha or Midsummer is said to be an opportune time to work with the Fae. It is said that faeries enjoy mead, milk, honey, flowers, and other sweet treats. Be respectful when attempting to work with the Fae, as they can be a bit mischievous when annoyed. 

   Harvest herbs to use in magick and healing. You can even wildcraft those that grow abundantly around you. (Be mindful of not overharvesting or removing at risk plants) Some associated with summer solstice are lavender, yarrow, and St. John's Wort. 

To name a few...Oh yea! Feasting, is always appropriate. 

Some Helpful Tools 

These can be used to decorate your altar, to carry, place around the house or in rituals/spell work. 

Colors: (Candles or Flowers) gold, green, yellow, orange, white. 

Herbs: 

Cinnamon- energy, protection, health, prosperity.

Mugwort- clairvoyance, dreams, protective.

Yarrow- Healing, love, protection, psychic ability.

Rosemary- Love, protection, strength.

Flowers: Chamomile, lavender, rose- prosperity, love, purification, protection.

Crystals: 

Carnelian- Courage, healing

Citrine- Abundance, balance, protection

Jade- Healing, love, protection, wisdom, prosperity

Scents/Incense:

Cinnamon, Lavender, Lemon, Orange, Sandalwood, Rose

Food/Drink:

Berries, cheeses, sun dried tomatoes, lemonade, sun tea, mead

    As much as this article contains...This is, by no means, an all inclusive list of all traditions and correspondences. You can do as much or as little as you feel led to do, using as much or as little as you feel appropriate. After all, it is your craft. Solstice Blessings!

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