Celebrate Ostara

Ostara (pronounced o-star-ah) is one of the Lesser Wiccan Sabbaths and is usually celebrated on the Vernal or Spring Equinox right around March 21. Other names by which this Sabbath may be known are Oestara, Eostre's Day, Rite of Eostre, Alban Eilir, Festival of the Trees and Lady Day. Here's how to celebrate this joyous occasion.

Light fires at dawn. The fires of dawn are symbolic of cures, renewal of life and protection of the crops.

Make hard-boiled eggs. Once the eggs are cooled, paint and decorate them with symbols of the Goddess of Fertility. The most common colors associated with Ostara are lemon yellow, pale green and pale pink. Other appropriate colors include grass green, all pastels, Robin's egg blue, violet and white.

Hide the eggs around an area and have an egg hunt. Afterward, everyone should eat their eggs, since these are talismans and should be eaten as part of the ritual of the Ostara.

Include dishes symbolic to Ostara. Linking your meals with the seasons is a great way of getting in tune with nature. Include hard-boiled eggs, egg salad, honey cakes, first fruits of the season, fish, cakes, biscuits, cheeses, honey and ham. You may also include foods made of seeds, such as sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds, as well as pine nuts. Sprouts are equally appropriate, as are leafy green vegetables.

Honor new life by planting flowers and trees to replenish the earth. Nurturing the soil and earth are ways that we give blessings to our little part of planet Earth. Cleaning out the yard and home bring in the best-made plans of the winter to fruition in the springtime. This is the time many people begin to plant their gardens and fields.