Ostara, the Spring Equinox

The vernal equinox occurs tonight at 7:21 P.M Eastern Daylight Time.

The equinox is when the tilt of the Earth’s axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun. The vernal equinox marks the point where the inclination will begin towards the Sun to bring more daylight to those in the northern hemisphere.

On the Wheel of the Year the vernal equinox is Ostara, one of the quarter days.

Ostara celebrates the return of the Maiden aspect of the goddess. The Maiden represents “enchantment, inception, expansion, the promise of new beginnings, birth, youth and youthful enthusiasm.” She is depicted by the waxing moon in this drawing of the Triple Goddess:
[Maiden – waxing…Mother – full…Crone – waning]

The equinox marks the point in time when the amount of daylight and the amount of darkness is equal. From now until the summer solstice on June 21 the days will grow longer, the nights shorter. Many find new energy in the increased daylight and use the holiday to start new projects and follow new ideas. It is birth and creating new things.

Here is a song by Lisa Thiel to set the tone for Spring.

Lisa Thiel – Ostara (Spring Song) – from Wheel of the Year

Chorus:
Praise to the Spring, Praise to all living things
Praise to the Maiden and the joy that she brings
Praise to the Earth let all her creatures now sing
Hope is renewed with the coming of the Spring

We turn from the darkness and the wise Crone within
We turn to the Maiden and creation begins
It’s a time for things growing and time now for flowing
A time now for sowing the seeds of your dreams.

(Chorus)
The heart fires are stirring with the new life returning
Its time now for learning what rebirth truly means
We honor ourselves and all the faeries and elves
May we dance and ring bells for the coming of the Spring!

(Chorus)
So open your heart to natures wondrous art.
Its time now to start the Healing of the Green.
Young rabbits abound and there’s flowers all around
The air is filled with the Sound of the Coming of the Spring!

(Chorus)

Spring has sprung (or will later this evening).

Bright blessings on equinox and Happy Spring to all!

(A version of this was originally posted on 05/20/2011 at BPI Campus)