Motley Moose – Archive

Today at 16:57 UTC (11:57am RPT), the Spring Equinox occurred.

An equinox occurs twice a year (around 20 March and 22 September), when the tilt of the Earth’s axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun, the center of the Sun being in the same plane as the Earth’s equator. The name “equinox” is derived from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night), because around the equinox, night and day are about equal length.

The amount of daylight and darkness became equal over the past few days (on March 18, near here) and soon daylight will extend ever deeper into the evening and the early morning hours.

Spring is about hope and new beginnings and the sheer joy of being outdoors in the light and the warmth. Here is some (light!) kidding around as we celebrate this year’s Spring Equinox.

Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’  ~Robin Williams

The vernal equinox or Ostara is one of the eight pagan festivals or “sabbats” from the Wheel of the Year. It is a “quarter day” along with the solstices and the autumnal equinox.  

This festival celebrates the Goddess returning to her Maiden aspect.

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:

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)

To all my pagan friends, “Bright Blessings on Ostara!” And to everyone: plant the seeds of love and caring so that your harvest will be worthy of your spirit.

(Hover quotes courtesy of Quote Garden. Place your cursor over the photos to read the verses.)

(Crossposted from Views From North Central Blogistan)