Ostara _ rituals, recipes, & lore for the spring equinox ( PDFDrive )

returned. New life is being seen all around us, and we all know spring is well on
its way.
The grass is once again growing (along with weeds!) and for many people the
lawn mowers will be coming out for the first time. For those living in areas
where gardens are possible, tilling has begun, and in the south, seeds may
already be in the ground. In some parts of the country, March 17 (St. Patrick’s
Day) is a traditional day to plant peas in order to harvest early June peas.
While the outside world is busy going about numerous changes, many people
will notice an inner change going on as well. Perhaps you have been suffering
from a slight case, or even a major one, of cabin fever. You may feel overly
tired, trapped, or claustrophobic. You may suffer from seasonal affective
disorder and literally need the sunshine. You feel the need to get out and enjoy
yourself outdoors, even if it is just a quick outing. Maybe a day in the park or
even just a walk around the block is just the thing you need to start feeling like
your old self again. If it is warm enough, you may want to start yard work,
gardening, or something that will help you reconnect with the earth and the
enlivening world around you.
It’s time to shake off the old and start anew. This is one of the reasons spring
cleaning is so popular. Cleaning out the old and making way for the new always
helps to give us a renewed sense of purpose. Whether it is a cleaning out of your
physical home or your emotional or spiritual home, sometimes old messes need
to be cleared out to make way for new and fresh ideas and plans. If you are hung
up on an old project that isn’t getting you anywhere, it’s time to rethink your
plans and revamp them if necessary. Moving forward on goals set in motion
during the dark half of the year is what this feeling of rebirth and regeneration is
all about.
It’s time to take something old, fix it up, and make it new again—whether it is
a home, an antique dresser, or even yourself. During the dark half of the year, we
spent some time taking inventory and making plans, during the light half of the
year we turn those plans into actions. For some Pagans this is their version of the
more common New Year’s resolutions. When the light starts taking control over
the darkness once again, we get up, we get out, and we act, turning those
thoughts, dreams, and plans into reality.