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Ostara Correspondences
(oh-star-ah) – Lesser Sabbat – Spring/Vernal Equinox, March 20-21st – when the Sun enters Ares Other Names: Ostre, Oestre, Eostre, Rites of Spring, Eostra’s Day, Lady Day, First Day of Spring, Easter, St. Patrick’s Day, Alban Eiler, Bacchanalia, Mean Earraigh, Pasch, Caisg, Pess Date: Spring Equinox (March 20-22 in Northern Hemisphere) or when the Sun is 1 degree Aries. Symbolism: The beginning of spring, new life and rebirth, the God and Goddess in Their youth, balance, fertility Goddesses: all love, virgin, and fertility Goddesses; Anna Perenna (Roman), Aphrodite (Greek), Astarte (Canaanite, Persia, GrecoRoman), Athena (Greek), Cybele (Greco-Roman), Blodeuwedd, Eostre (Saxon Goddess of Fertility), Flidais (Irish), Gaia (Greek), Hera, Ishtar…
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Solstice is…
Holly sharp sting, Red blood like Berries, red, white Mistletoe hang Deadly dart and Baldur’s curse Druids’ king seeking potion Now a kissing spot Love instead Shown through gifts Wrapped mysteries Ribbons hiding Hearts’ desires Wrap the day in a bow But presents wait Wait for me: The mother and priestess Down in the woods At the sacred crossroads Of birch and oak The mysteries of Male and Female And everything in between And beyond. Here I find the altar That no one knows of But I I lay the offerings Salt Offal Nothing to scar or litter Nothing to damage or drain Leaving only footprints For…
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The Origins of the Yule Log
(Photo Credit: pastemagazine.com) While the origins of the Yule log are attributed to the Scandinavian countries or to Germanic paganism, most would say the tradition started in Ancient Rome, where entire trees would be burned in an effort to keep away Kallikantzaroi. Silent prayers would be offered while the tree was burning. Kallikantzarois was a demon/goblin, who lived underground but who would surface during the 12 days of Christmas to wreak havoc. Legends surrounding him were also found in Southeastern Europe and Anatolia (Turkey). In France, the tradition was that the peasant would bring a gift to their Lord, hidden under a log and prayers would be offered when the…
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Yule Correspondences
(Pictured: Yule Pack Celebration – Printable Book of Shadows by Chiara Torsi of the etsy shop Paper Cat Lab.) YULE Lesser Sabbat – Winter Solstice, circa Dec 21 Other Names: Jul (“wheel”, Old Norse), Saturnalia (Rome ~December 17 & 18), Yuletide (Teutonic), Midwinter, Fionn’s Day, Alban huan, Christmas (Christian~December 25), Xmas, Festival of Sol, Solar/Secular/Pagan New Year Animals/Mythical beings: yule goat (nordic), reindeer stag, squirrels, yule cat, Sacred White Buffalo, Kallikantzaroi-ugly chaos monsters(greek), trolls, phoenix, yule elf, jule gnome, squirrels, wren/robin Gemstones: cat’s eye, ruby, diamond, garnet, bloodstone Incense/Oils: bayberry, cedar, ginger, cinnamon, pine, rosemary, frankincense, myrrh, nutmeg, wintergreen, saffron Colors: gold, silver, red, green, white Tools,Symbols, & Decorations:…