Sometimes, as we grow older, we feel as if the magic has disappeared from our lives. We become so caught up in the routines and responsibilities of adulthood that we forget to appreciate the wonders of the world around us. We lose our sense of wonder and awe, trading it in for practicality and logic. But what if we could bring back the magic? What if we could reclaim that childlike wonder and curiosity that once filled our hearts? Imagine a world where every day held the potential for something extraordinary. A place where we could find magic in the simplest of moments - a gentle breeze, a kind word, a new discovery. Bringing back the magic starts with a shift in mindset.
Some pagan authors say Ostara derives from ancient Celtic and Saxon spring holidays, later Christianized into the Easter holiday. Others argue this and other neopagan holidays are modern creations. Either way, many religions celebrate holidays during this time of year, including the Hindu Holi, Jewish Purim, Sikh Hola Mohalla and Christian Easter.
Some examples of intentions include Today I will be patient, Today I intend to forgive others and myself, Today I intend to organize my work, Today I will speak kindly to myself, and Today I intend to be productive. Some popular magic tricks performed during this period are serpent magic and folklore, egg magic and folklore, magical spring flowers, rabbit magic mad march hares and magical gardening.
Bringing back the magic starts with a shift in mindset. We must be willing to let go of our preconceived notions and open ourselves up to the possibility of something more. We must be willing to see the world through fresh eyes, as if we are experiencing it for the very first time.
Happy Ostara! Wiccans Celebrate the Spring Equinox
While many have been enthusiastically looking forward to today as the Spring or Vernal Equinox (the first day of the spring season where the Sun crosses the celestial equator moving northward), how we mark it differs according to our individual traditions and religious beliefs.
While the Spring Equinox ushers in the Easter period for the Christians, when the rebirth of Jesus Christ is celebrated and Baha’is and Persians celebrate Nowruz, the Wiccans and Pagans on the other hand get busy celebrating the Ostara.
One celebration, different names…
The word Ostara is just one of the names applied to the celebration of the spring equinox on March 21. It is said to have its origin from Eostre, a Germanic goddess of spring.
According to Germanic myth, Eostre is a goddess associated with flowers and springtime, and her name gives us the word “Easter,” as well as the name of Ostara itself.
For early Pagans in the Germanic countries, Ostara was the new crop season, a time to celebrate planting. Typically, the Celtic peoples did not celebrate Ostara as a holiday, although they were in tune with the changing of the seasons.
There are many different ways in which the Wiccans and Pagans celebrate the period. While the mode of celebration differs by location and tradition, typically, it is observed as a time to mark the coming of Spring and the fertility of the land. The festivity is always marked with a series of activities that closely follow each other. It usually starts with the decoration of homes with a number of easy craft projects to get the family in the mood of the celebration, as well as keep the kids entertained.
Some of the Ostara crafts include making a miniature Ostara greenhouse, a spring weather station, or a spring snake wreath. They also include egg crafting such as making naturally colored Ostara eggs, tie-dyed Ostara eggs or magic crystal Ostara eggs. Some more popular Ostara crafting include making Ostara trees for altars, and decorating seed packet greeting cards to send to loved ones.
The once-a-year season is then marked with some sacred ritual activities.
Most of them involve meditating and chanting age-long mantras before a well-decorated Ostara altar that has been designed with vibrant colors and objects to capture the essence of the Spring season. You can check out this photo gallery to see what different Ostara altars looks like. Some of these rituals include the rebirthing ritual (which is better off performed in a group), the Labyrinth meditation, the Earth meditation, and the lesser banishing ritual of the chocolate rabbit that is primary fashioned for kids.
People then take out time to entertain themselves with some spring magic display. Some popular magic tricks performed during this period are serpent magic and folklore, egg magic and folklore, magical spring flowers, rabbit magic & mad march hares and magical gardening.
The celebration is never complete without food and feasting. Foods dominantly consumed during the festivity are those that honor the coming of spring. Some of these include eggs, early spring greens, shoots and sprouts, and of course, the all-important Marshmallow Peep.
All in all, just as it is with every other festivity, Ostara is a joyous period that brings family together to have fun and strengthen the ties that bound them together.
Resources
- PaganWiccan.About.com
The word Ostara comes from the Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre, and she represents spring, rebirth, and renewal. Many symbols of Ostara include rabbits and hares. In medieval Europe, the March hare was seen as a fertility symbol. During March, the hare begins its mating season. It was believed that females of this species could get pregnant with a second litter while pregnant with the first. This explains why they were used as a symbol of fertility.
One way to do this is to reconnect with nature. Spend time outside, marveling at the beauty of the natural world. Notice the intricacy of a flower petal, the brilliance of a sunset, or the power of a thunderstorm. Allow yourself to feel small in the presence of something greater than yourself. This can help reignite that sense of wonder that is often lost in our busy lives. Another way to bring back the magic is to embrace the art of storytelling. Whether it be through reading, writing, or simply listening to a captivating tale, stories have the power to transport us to other worlds and inspire our imaginations. They can remind us of the limitless possibilities that exist beyond our everyday realities. Lastly, we must seek out experiences and activities that challenge us and push us out of our comfort zones. It is when we step into the unknown that we often find the most magical moments. Whether it be traveling to new places, trying new hobbies, or meeting new people, stepping outside of our comfort zones allows us to see the world in a different light and opens us up to new experiences. Bringing back the magic is not about escaping reality or denying the challenges of everyday life. It is about finding joy and wonder in the midst of those challenges. It is about choosing to see the world through a lens of possibility and embracing the beauty and magic that exists all around us. So, let us reclaim our sense of wonder and bring back the magic into our lives once more..
Reviews for "The Power of Intuition: Trusting Your Gut to Guide You"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Bring back the magic," but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The storyline felt forced and predictable, with no real depth to the characters. The writing was mediocre at best, lacking the magical and enchanting quality that the title promised. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and unsatisfied.
2. John - 1 star - I found "Bring back the magic" to be incredibly boring and unoriginal. The plot was cliché and the characters felt flat and uninteresting. The dialogue was poorly written and lacked any depth or emotion. I struggled to finish the book and was left feeling like I had wasted my time. I cannot recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an engaging and captivating read.
3. Emily - 3 stars - While "Bring back the magic" had some potential, it ultimately fell short for me. The story had its moments of intrigue and mystery, but they were overshadowed by the lackluster writing and underdeveloped characters. I felt that the pacing was off, and the plot dragged on unnecessarily. Overall, I was left underwhelmed and wasn't able to fully connect with the story or its characters.
4. David - 2 stars - "Bring back the magic" had an interesting concept, but the execution was lacking. The writing felt amateurish and the characters felt one-dimensional. The plot was predictable and lacked any real surprises or twists. While the book had potential, it didn't deliver, leaving me feeling unsatisfied and disappointed. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written read.
5. Rachel - 2 stars - I was excited to dive into "Bring back the magic," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The story felt disjointed and the characters lacked depth. The pacing was off, with some parts dragging on and others feeling rushed. I found it hard to fully invest in the plot and the resolution felt forced. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied with the book.