Blessed Beltane May 5, 2008

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Ostara

There is no specific date on which the Ostara feast must be held. The three mightiest times at this turning of the year are the equinox itself and the new and full moons following the equinox. It is probably better in general to celebrate Ostara during the waxing moon.

Ostara represented many complex, interrelated beliefs to our ancestors. The sun was reborn from its winter banishment to thaw the earth, making it ready for the plow. People felt reborn as well, escaping from close, snow-bound confinement into the new warmth. The Gods and Goddesses of fertility were active once again in the land, causing new growth everywhere. Women often were showing the first swelling signs of pregnancy, engendered in the winter months when bed meant both warmth and entertainment for they and their men. As the wilds burgeoned with new life, so too would the lands inhabited by man, bearing crops in the furrows, kine in the fields, and salmon in the streams. Ostara is the brightest and most joyful ceremony of the Teutonic year. It is the time in which we celebrate the renewed presence of the Gods and Goddesses of fertility among us, and their marriages which ensure the fertility of the land. Ostara marks the victory of Sunna over the wolves which pursued her down into winter's dark, and Thorr's victory over the Frost-Giants. We celebrate the end of winter, and joyously exchange the cold for summer's healing warmth.

Imbolc

In Tradition, the sabbat dates fall upon a date during which the Sun is in a certain degree of a specific astrological house. While the astrological dates might be more technical, what with having the planetary layout and subsequent astrological influences to one's advantage, neither date of celebration is considered "wrong".

Following is the astrological date chart, and below this chart is a four-year look ahead, at the astrological dates of each sabbat.

Samhain: Sun is at 15° Scorpio
Yule: Sun is at 1° Capricorn
Imbolc: Sun is at 15° Aquarius
Ostara: Sun is at 1° Aries
Beltaine: Sun is at 15° Taurus
Litha: Sun is at 1° Cancer
Lammas: Sun is at 15° Leo
Mabon: Sun is at 1° Libra





2008
Imbolc 2008: February 4
Ostara 2008: March 21
Beltaine 2008: May 5
Litha 2008: June 22
Lammas 2008: August 7
Mabon 2008: September 23
Samhain 2008: November 7
Yule 2008: December 22

Pagan Radio

Invocation - moon

We call You forth, Mother, for a last goodnight kiss

Before You drift off to slumber and rest in its bliss

We ask that You help us to tie up loose ends

To complete all the projects that we must now tend

So that we, too, can rest when our work is all done

And recharge and regroup for that which will come

And as You rest peacefully, this thing please know:

We are thankful for all that You bring and bestow

Yule

Winter Solstice, also known as midwinter. This, the longest night of the year, is the time when the Goddess gives birth to the new spark of hope, the Sun Child--light of the world--which was conceived during the rites of Ostara.

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Winter Solstice

May Day Dance around the May Pole Beltane

May is such an interesting month. We begin with the Pagan holiday on May 1. Then we go to cinco de mayo, the Hispanic festival day. We have "Mother's" Day, Celebrate the Goddess (Mother Earth). Then on the down side -- the anniversary of the Kent State Massacre -- when Nixon's National Guard killed students (who were supposed to be protesting) Actually killed mostly students who were changing classes. Yes, sad to say Georgie Jr. reminds me of all that senseless violence. We end the month with Memorial Day -- What else can I say?