Happy Ostara - 2025!

Ostara: The Celebration of Spring

Ostara, also known as the Spring Equinox, is a significant celebration in pagan and Wiccan traditions. This festival is held on March 20th or 21st, marking the time when day and night are of equal length. Ostara is a period of fertility, rebirth, and renewal, celebrating the awakening of nature.

The History of the Celebration

The name Ostara is derived from Eostre or Eastre, the Germanic goddess of spring dawn. The traditions of this festival have been present in many cultures over time and share numerous parallels with the Christian celebration of Easter. The Spring Equinox is one of the most vital points in the cycle of life, where darkness and light are balanced, and the rejuvenation of nature begins.

The Wheel of the Year

Ostara is one of the spokes in the Wheel of the Year, which represents the annual cycle in pagan and Wiccan traditions. The Wheel of the Year consists of eight major festivals that follow the changes in nature. These festivals include Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lammas, and Mabon. Ostara marks the beginning of spring and creates a balance between the forces of nature.

Connection with Other Wiccan Festivals

As part of the Wheel of the Year, Ostara is interconnected with other Wiccan celebrations that all honor the cycles of nature. Ostara follows Imbolc, which marks the end of winter and the start of spring, and precedes Beltane, which celebrates the peak of spring and the beginning of summer. These festivals are in harmony with the changes in nature and reflect the cycle of life.

The Easter Bunny

The symbol of the Easter Bunny is intertwined with spring festivals in many cultures. In the Ostara celebration, the rabbit is a symbol of fertility and rebirth. Easter eggs, which also symbolize fertility, are an integral part of this festive period.

Everything gets renewed! 

What Ostara Teaches Us

Ostara reminds us that life is cyclical, and there is always an opportunity for a new beginning. This period is a time for personal renewal and setting new goals. It encourages us to align with nature and celebrate the return of light and the rebirth of life. The teachings of Ostara emphasize the importance of hope, balance, and renewal.

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Embracing the true Spirit of Yule

As the wheel of the year turns and we find ourselves once more at the threshold of Yule, it is a time for reflection, celebration, and connection. Yule, the ancient festival marking the winter solstice, is a moment to honor the return of the light and to embrace the warmth of our communities and loved ones.

In today's world, it's easy to be swept up in the commercial frenzy that often accompanies the holiday season. Stores and advertisements bombard us with messages urging us to buy more, spend more, and equate our worth with the monetary value of gifts exchanged. However, as pagans, we understand that the essence of Yule goes far deeper than material possessions.

The Light Within and Around Us

Yule is a celebration of the rebirth of the Sun. As the longest night of the year gives way to the increasing daylight, we are reminded of the light within each of us and the potential for renewal and growth. It is a time to rekindle our inner fire, to reflect on the past year, and to set intentions for the coming cycle.

Community and Connection

At its heart, Yule is about coming together. The ancient traditions of gathering around the hearth, sharing stories, and celebrating with our communities remind us that our greatest treasures are the relationships we nurture. Whether through shared meals, heartfelt conversations, or acts of kindness, the connections we foster are what truly sustain us.

Honoring Nature and Ancestry

Yule is deeply rooted in the cycles of nature. It is a time to honor the earth, the changing seasons, and the wisdom of our ancestors. By taking moments to appreciate the beauty of the natural world, we can find grounding and inspiration. Simple acts like walking in the woods, creating nature-based crafts, or lighting a Yule log can deepen our connection to the earth and our heritage.

Mindful and Meaningful Giving

While gift-giving is a cherished tradition, it's important to remember that the value of a gift is not measured by its price tag. Handmade items, thoughtful gestures, and experiences shared are often more meaningful and cherished than anything money can buy. Consider giving the gift of your time, your skills, or your presence. These are gifts that resonate on a soul level and build lasting memories.

Reflection and Intention Setting

As we gather for Yule, let us take time to reflect on the true meaning of this sacred season. What do we hope to leave behind with the passing year? What light do we wish to bring into our lives and the lives of others as the days grow longer? By setting intentions and focusing on what truly matters, we can navigate the holiday season with a sense of purpose and alignment.

In conclusion, let us remember that Yule is a celebration of light, love, and connection. It is a time to honor our traditions, our communities, and the natural world. As we celebrate, let us keep the true spirit of Yule alive by prioritizing the values that truly matter over the allure of commercialism. May this Yule bring you warmth, joy, and a renewed sense of wonder.

Blessed Yule to All!

OAD

Celebrations around 1st November on planet Earth

 October 31 and November 1 are not only significant dates on the calendar but also hold special meanings for various cultures and religions. In this blog post, we'll explore the celebrations around these dates worldwide, diving into their historical traditions and meanings.

Halloween (October 31)

Origins and Historical Traditions Halloween traces its roots back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, marking the beginning of the dark winter season. People believed that on this night, the spirits of the dead returned to Earth. The Celts lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off roaming spirits.

Modern Customs Today, Halloween is widely celebrated in the United States and Europe, where children dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating. Carved pumpkins, known as jack-o'-lanterns, are also a popular symbol of the holiday.

All Saints' Day (November 1)

Origins and Historical Traditions All Saints' Day, or All Hallows' Day, is a Christian holiday honoring all saints, known and unknown. It was first established by Pope Gregory IV in the 8th century.

Modern Customs On this day, Christians around the world light candles and visit the graves of their loved ones. The holiday is especially significant in Spain, Mexico, and the Philippines.

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Mexico (November 1-2)

Origins and Historical Traditions Mexico’s Day of the Dead has its roots in ancient Aztec traditions, where people honored their ancestors. The holiday is about celebrating the lives and memories of the deceased.

Modern Customs In Mexico, people set up colorful altars with food, drinks, and personal items for the dead. Family gatherings in cemeteries are common, with music and dance to honor the departed.

Samhain – Celtic Tradition (October 31 – November 1)

Origins and Historical Traditions Samhain is the Celtic New Year, marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. People believed that on this night, spirits could cross over into the living world.

Modern Customs Modern pagans and Wiccans light candles and hold rituals to honor their ancestors and the past year.

All Hallows' Eve – Christian Tradition (October 31)

Origins and Historical Traditions All Hallows' Eve is the eve of All Saints' Day, observed in the Christian church to honor all saints. The holiday began in the medieval period and shares many traditions with the Celtic Samhain.

Modern Customs While less common today, some Christian communities still observe All Hallows' Eve.

Teng Chieh – China

Origins and Historical Traditions In China, the Teng Chieh festival honors the dead by placing incense and food at gravesites to pacify spirits.

Modern Customs During this festival, Chinese people burn paper money as offerings to their ancestors to ensure their well-being in the afterlife.

Autumn Festival – Japan

Origins and Historical Traditions In Japan, the Autumn Festival (Aki Matsuri) varies by region and celebrates the harvest and nature's bounty.

Modern Customs People hold parades, fireworks, and traditional dances to give thanks for the harvest.

Hungarian Connections

"Shines Like Solomon's Pumpkins"

The famous Hungarian saying originates from the medieval period and is associated with the struggles for the throne. King Solomon of the Árpád dynasty, son of King Andrew I and Anastasia of Kiev, battled for the throne with his cousins, Géza and Ladislaus. After losing the Battle of Mogyoród in 1074, Solomon withdrew to the area around Moson and Bratislava.

The saying "Salamon töke" relates to the legend that the royal prison where King Solomon was held was illuminated with pumpkin lamps. This story is reminiscent of Halloween’s jack-o'-lantern tradition, symbolizing the battle between light and darkness, a theme deeply rooted in both Hungarian and other cultural traditions.

This festive period is celebrated in various ways around the world, each culture bringing its own unique traditions and meanings. Whether commemorating the past year or honoring the dead, these diverse celebrations add richness and significance to this time of year.

Let's go back to Nature, even in spring, for our health

I'd like to write about a few plants and their uses. I didn't want to give a general description or just throw around well-known medicinal properties. The application of wild edible and medicinal plants is not as straightforward as one might think. For example, if someone has a circulatory disorder or high blood pressure, it's not guaranteed that the first supposedly suitable medicinal herb we encounter will have an effect on it. It matters how a medicinal herb acts, when we take them, how we process it, how we prepare the medicinal product from them, when we consume them, and even how our own body reacts to them.

I want to write about plants that affect me this spring, and share my tried and true methods and recipes.

Dandelion - syrup and cordial

It's a common plant often regarded as a weed. Most people would pull out every single one of them from the ground. Few know that it's an extremely valuable medicinal and wild edible plant, which is also an important nectar source for the rapidly declining pollinators. It blooms in spring, and in abundance.

Practically the whole plant is edible. Its leaves are most tasty before flowering and can be consumed as salad. Syrup or cordial can also be made from its flowers ("dandelion honey," vegan honey).

Here's the recipe for cordial:
Ingredients:
200 dandelion flowers - the recipe can be adapted for any edible flower - elderflower, acacia, violet, lavender, rhubarb, etc. - just adjust the quantity of flowers accordingly
4 kg sugar
6 liters water
5 lemons
10 g citric acid
1 teaspoon sodium benzoate (preservative) /salicyl
Bring 6 liters of water to a boil, dissolve 4 kg of sugar in it. After cooling, add the citric acid and salicyl, then pour the mixture over the prepared flowers and sliced lemons. Let it stand covered for 1 week in a well-ventilated area, stirring daily. Then strain and pour into jars, seal them, and store them in a cool place. When straining, it's advisable to squeeze out the juice from the lemon slices. If it's not tart enough, additional citric acid can be added according to taste.

General effects of the plant:
It aids liver function, increases bile production. It improves digestion in general and can be used for bloating, upset stomach, and regulates bowel movements, relieving constipation. It's excellent for problems arising from poor liver function, such as cellulite. It reduces blood fat and dissolves cholesterol, lowers blood sugar levels. It's an excellent diuretic, useful for kidney and bladder diseases. It aids in the general function of the liver and kidneys, detoxifying the body. It's tonic, appetite-stimulating, and strengthens the body. It's used for anemia, gout, and liver diseases.

As we can see, regular consumption of pleasant dandelion cordial can do a lot for our health.

Hawthorn flowered shoot

Hawthorn is a shrub that can be found everywhere. It's a wonderful sight when it blooms en masse in spring. We should pick these flowering shoots for the sake of our heart and circulatory system. We make an infusion from it, soak it for 15 minutes, strain it, and consume it. The dried flowering shoot can be preserved and consumed throughout the year. We can also pick the berries in autumn from nature or possibly plant a cultivated variety in the garden, from which we can make jam. Its effect is similar to that of the flowering shoot.

General medicinal properties of the plant:
Heart strengthening, heart calming. It keeps the heart muscle and blood vessels flexible, promotes blood supply to the heart muscle. It dilates blood vessels, lowers blood pressure, and is good against coronary artery diseases. It helps alleviate circulatory problems, reduces the formation of atherosclerosis. It's recommended for age-related heart problems, degenerative muscle diseases of the heart. Since it affects the central nervous system, it can be used to treat dizziness, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath. It's effective against nervous spasms. It has stress-relieving, calming, and sedative effects. It reduces the risk of blood clotting and can be used for tinnitus. It reduces mood swings and hot flashes in menopause.

Rosemary flowered shoot - ointment

Rosemary is not native here, meaning it's not found in the wild, only in gardens and parks. It's a well-known medicinal and culinary herb, so if you have a garden or balcony, it's worth planting. It begins to flower in spring, and excellent ointment can be made from its flowering shoots.

The general external effect of rosemary:
It increases blood circulation, has anti-inflammatory properties, so it can be used for wound healing, bruises, eczema, and even toothache. It also has a positive effect on muscle regeneration, making it the best ointment for sports injuries.

Ointment recipe:
First, soak the rosemary flowering shoots in enough vegetable oil (any will do, even sunflower), covering them completely. Let them stand in the sun for several weeks, even up to a month. During this time, an oily plant extract is made from them due to the action of sunlight and heat. When this is ready, strain it and start making the ointment.

Ingredients:
70 ml prepared vegetable oil extract
25 g of any vegetable butter (e.g., shea butter)
5 g yellow beeswax
Melt the vegetable butter and beeswax, preferably as gently as possible, over low heat.
Once melted, add the prepared vegetable oil extract. Heat and stir until the mixture is completely homogeneous. Avoid boiling the mixture.
Pour the warm mixture into containers. Be quick with this phase, as it solidifies rapidly. I use mini-sized canning jars for this. Seal them immediately, wait for them to solidify, and then they are ready to use. Stored in the refrigerator, it can last for months. 

Linda

Earth Day Dance

/Atomm/

Embracing Spring Equinox: A Time of Renewal and Balance

 Dear Friends, Brothers and Sisters,

As the wheel of the year turns once more, we find ourselves at the threshold of Spring Equinox. This celestial event, also known as Ostara in the Pagan calendar, is a time of balance and renewal, a moment when day and night stand in perfect equilibrium.

As we bid farewell to the long, introspective nights of winter, we welcome the burgeoning light of spring. The earth around us stirs from its slumber, echoing our own awakening. Trees begin to bud, flowers push their way through the thawing soil, and the animal kingdom emerges from hibernation, their songs filling the air.

The Spring Equinox is a time to honor the divine balance in our lives and in the world around us. It's a time to cleanse and release the old to make way for new beginnings, mirroring nature's cycle of death and rebirth.

As we stand at this seasonal crossroads, let's take a moment to reflect on our own paths. What do we need to let go of? What new seeds do we wish to plant and nurture in the coming season?

May this Spring Equinox bring you balance, renewal, and a vibrant blossoming of your own inner light. Embrace this time of transformation and remember, every ending is just a new beginning in disguise.

Blessed Be,

Atomm