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Rituals Page |
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Boudica
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Ostara Ritual Ostara signals spring, tulips and daffodils, rabbits and eggs. All these are reminders of the promise of reincarnation after death, and we look at the world through sleepy winter eyes to a bright new spring and new growth. This is the Spring Equinox, the day of even light and dark. We look to balance in our lives as well as growth. Again, our ritual here is more a meditation than a true ritual but meditations on our spirituality better serve us to connect with our Deities. And that is the whole purpose of our spirituality; to create a one on one working relationship with our Deities that is closer than any other spirituality can offer. This meditation dwells on personal growth in a season of growing; a renewal of our pursuit of our dreams and the connection we have with our Deity’s to enable us to achieve this growth and these dreams. What you will need and should give some consideration is a pot and some good soil for growing, and a choice of seed to represent your dreams. What plant, flower or herb represents your greatest dreams? What is it you have always hoped to achieve in your life and how big a package will you need to contain it? Before this ritual, go shopping for some seeds that represent your dream. Maybe some daisies, or maybe a watermelon, or maybe some tasty tomatoes. Choose something appropriate, with a pot, some good soil and some water and bring them with you to your ritual meditation. Choose a quiet place where you can sit for a while. Bring your growing materials and a notebook and a candle for focus. Settle yourself into a comfortable surrounding and spread your items before you. Leave all the worries and cares of the day behind you, seek your inner stillpoint and begin. After a long, cold winter did you feel a bit of warmth from the sun today? Did you feel a warmer breeze on your face as you walked into your office? Did you see a tulip or crocus bloom on your way to work? Spring is in the air, even if you still have snow on the ground. And the cold of winter is ready to be shed for those warmer days and shorter nights. We look forward to this season, and we remember the promise of renewal from the gods, and we give thanks for another season. The promise of rebirth that follows the long sleep of death in winter is the promise the Goddess gives us. We will return, just as the bulbs bloom each spring, just as the leaves grow back leaves, and the animals come out of hibernation. We look forward each year to the rest of winter, and we know we can get through it because spring is right around the corner. We have rested, we have reflected on what we did last year and we know what we want to achieve this year. What plans do we have? Write them down in your notebook. What is it you want to do this year? Each person will have an idea of what it is they want to accomplish. What plan will you need to achieve this dream? Look at what you will need, what supplies, what time, what assistance you will have to attend to and reserve for these projects. Yes, you can have more than one project. How ambitious are you? What dreams of your own can you fulfill this year? Talk to your Deities. Discuss these plans with them and then listen. What are they suggesting? What help will they give you? What advices are they suggesting to you? Can you hear them? Write down what you hear. When you have gone as far as you can this night, it's time to plant the seeds of dreams. Read the package carefully, make sure you don't bury your seeds too deep, or leave them too shallow. Then gently give them a watering. At this point, it is time to also consider how to balance your life now that you are going to achieve your dreams. Be sure that you make room for the important things, like life, jobs, and family. Again, reference your notes and see how you can fit this all into your daily schedule. And again, connect with your Deities to listen to their words, their suggestions and their advices. That is what this whole spirituality thing is all about - the working connection between you and your Deity. Draw energy into yourself now, and focus on your dreams, yourself and your Deity. Give the energy over to this project and be determined to start this now. The sooner you start, the sooner you can make your dreams a realized reality. Give thanks to your gods and goddesses, and close up your book and blow out the candle. Stretch, stand, and put your seeds in a sunny window. Don't forget to water them. And talk to your Deities often. |
