We would like to wish you each and every one of you a very delightful, refreshing time of renewal in Mother Nature. Enjoy her new re-growth of leaves on the trees and bushes, bright array of beautiful colours and fragrances of flowers, the warm and inviting winds of spring as well the joyous feel of rain nurturing all. Hear the birds returning to their make their nests to bring up their young. This turn in the Wheel of the Year is called the Spring Equinox. It is a time of fertility and new life, also of balance and of harmony. It is a time to throw off the darkness of winter and enjoy the beauty of what Mother Nature has in store for us!

It also marks the time when the Sun is crossing over the equator so the amount of light and dark is the same. Each day will have more daylight as the Sun heads south towards us. This event is named after the Anglo-Saxon Goddess, Eostre, and the festival was celebrated at the Spring Equinox. Eostre was a Goddess of Fertility. Thus one would easily see how she would be connected with hares and eggs. Another name for this time of year is "The Rites of Spring". The young Goddess fully awakens and returns from her Winter hibernation laying a blanket of fertility. The young God born at Yule has now grown into full manhood. The God and Goddess meet and consummate their love for one another at this time. This is when the Goddess becomes pregnant with the God to be born at Yule.

At Eostre, seeds and plantlets are blessed then planted. Eggs are relative in that they are a symbol of rebirth. The white of the egg represents the White Goddess while the yolk represents the Sun. This is usually a time for both growth and balance. Another symbol that cannot be overlooked at this time of year is that of the Green Man. He is the personification of all life that exists deep within Nature. This is usually represented in the foliate mask of green leaves making up his face. You've likely seen various versions of this image from savage, threatening, ugly or gentle, benevolent, watchful and protective.

How ever you celebrate your Spring Equinox or Ostara/Eostre, may it be a happy and safe one! Safe journey if you are traveling. If you haven't heard about it and are in the area, check out Pagan Alliance's annual AWC which happens to be in Victoria this year. It is from Sept. 21-23, 2007. For more information, there is a link below to go to their site. Hope many can make it there! See also the news page for other news. 

~ Happy Eostre Everyone! ~
~ May your Spring planting be blessed! ~