The Full Pink Moon at 23* Libra will culminate on April 1, 2026 7:13 pm PDT/10:13 pm EDT/ April 2, 2026, 4:13 am France (almanac).
This moon is reminding you to be constructive—no need to hurry or be hasty at this time. People or circumstances tried to hold you back in the past. But all of a sudden, you are feeling lighter and unhindered. You are looking forward to a graceful time. You remember when you used to have anxiety, but now you are feeling somewhat relaxed.
You’re finding inner resolve with not only your eating and good deeds, but also speaking your feelings, you’re becoming clearer and more in focus. Especially, since you’ve been practicing presence in the present. You don’t have all the answers yet. And… You’ve heard it over and over to create your own reality, but now you are sorcing, meditating, or praying consciously.
You don’t want to be stuck, so you’re willing to take it slower and enjoy the enrichment each and every person can bring. No matter how small the task, no matter how it serves you or not. It may only serve another, but you are there for the sacred space and goodwill.
Breathe deeply and take in some of this newfound focused momentum that’s in the air: the beauty, the fortuitous energy surrounding you. We are re-learning to live richly. It’s about tapping into “the good” in your life, and not the bad. To live with rose colored glasses might be the suggestion of the pink moon.
No grinding into the next hours or days, every day should be pleasant. It starts with us and how we expect it to be. We should come to expect balance and beauty, not opinions, snide remarks, or terseness. Our health depends on our will to be of a higher mind. Ya know, lacking passion is fatal. So it’s up to you to find it again, and again. The divine spark is in you, holding sacred space in your heart and mind.
Passion Mind-Map:
What were your past passions
What new hobbies, activities or events would you like to try
Don’t sit around and overthink
Attend workshops, classes or events, see what resonates
Set small goals
Journal Questions:
Write in your journal for the full moon and throughout the month.
Dreaming:
Do you remember your night time dreams?
Do you pay attention to your daydreams?
Do you have wishful thinking?
Do you have magical thinking?
Do you have expectations?
Do others have expectations of you?
Are you someone who moves your wishes into action?
Do you feel you create a plan and easily bring those plans into fruition?
How do you do it?
How do you feel when you accomplish what you want?
What areas do you wish to know “accomplishment”?
(write a sentence, paragraph or more)
Money
Love
Friendship
Family
Happiness
Wisdom
Knowledge
Exercising
Eating well
Good Health
Fun
Beauty
What is your first impression about yourself in these areas?
(write a sentence, paragraph or more)
Money
Love
Friendship
Family
Happiness
Wisdom
Knowledge
Exercising
Eating well
Good Health
Fun
Beauty
Recreate Passion for Life:
1. Regain Perspective
2. Rekindle Friendships
3. Risk your Feelings
4. Create Atmosphere
5. Communicate
6. Listen
7. Don’t Dwell on the Past
8. Share
9. Don’t be harsh
10. Nurture
Meditation:
To be successful in all areas of your life// focus on the value of learning// the value of time// the value on yourself// the value on your mind// the value on how you love your friends and family// the value on your environment// the value on your heart// the value on your soul// the value on your being// Raise your vibration// be in Om Resonance
Om Resonance written by Tara Sutphen – Lifeforce Activation series Mp3’s
Spring Equinox, Ostara, Eostre, Easter, Vernal Equinox
By Tara Sutphen
Spring Equinox is March 21, 2026 and marks the mid-point of the Waxing Year, the nights and days are balanced once again; the time when Kore, (Persephone) was believed to have returned from the Underworld where she had ruled throughout the Winter. The spark of light, born at Winter Solstice has reached maturity, and from here onwards, the days progressively grow longer than the nights.
Western culture proclaims this the first day of Spring. Older traditions called the Spring Equinox, Ostara; the time of the festivals of the Grecian Goddess, Eostre, and the Germanic Ostara, both fertility Goddesses of Dawn. These influenced the naming of the modern-day Easter Holiday. New greenery bursts forth from sleeping seeds in the countryside, as metaphorically, pagans also plant their own seeds for future goals, future projects and growth at this time. Decorated eggs, being symbols of fertility are symbolic of Ostara.
In days gone, Europeans gave gifts of decorated eggs to new brides, in the hope that they would bear many children. Similarly, bowls filled with eggs were given to farm workers by the farmer’s wife, to ensure a rich harvest. Most all cultures see the egg as a symbol of Life; the actual home of the Soul. In Russia, decorated eggs are still given as gifts to loved ones and buried in graves to ensure rebirth. The women gathered the eggs only from hens which were around a rooster and decorated them, allowing no one to watch them work as they transferred the goodness of the household to the designs on the eggs, thus keeping evil away. Dyes were mixed to secret family recipes and special blessings placed on each egg.
Colors of Ostara Eggs:
White:
Purity
Yellow:
Wisdom, a successful Harvest, or Spirituality
Green:
Spring, rebirth, wealth, youth, growth, happiness
Blue:
Good health, clear skies
Orange:
Power endurance, ambition, courage
Red:
Happiness, hope, passion, nobility, bravery, enthusiasm, love
Brown:
Enrichment, good harvest, happiness
Purple:
Faith, trust, power
Pink:
Success, friendship, love
Black:
Remembrance
Lore:
The custom of eating Hot Cross Buns also has pagan origins. The Saxons ate buns that were marked with a cross in honor of Eostre; Ancient Greeks consumed these types of buns in their celebrations of Artemis, Goddess of the hunt, and the Egyptians ate a similar cake in their worship of the Goddess Isis.
There are conflicting ideas as to what the cross symbol represents. One suggestion is that it is a Christianisation of horn symbols that were stamped on cakes to represent an ox, which used to be sacrificed at the time of the Spring Equinox. Another theory relates to
—Moon worship; the bun representing the full Moon, and the cross, its four quarters. Christianity gave new meanings to the symbolism of the buns, saying the cross represented the Crucifixion Cross. Thus, superstitions arose crediting these buns as being charms against evil, so after Good Friday, people would save one or two of them to hang in their homes as amulets. During the festival season and indeed, for a long time afterwards, fishermen would carry these Easter buns in their boats, for protection.
The Spring Equinox defines the season where Spring reaches it’s peak, with the powers of light increasing. The God of Light, (Llew), now gains victory over his twin, the God of Darkness. Llew was reborn at the Winter Solstice and is now old and strong enough to vanquish his rival twin and mate with his Mother Goddess. The great Mother Goddess, who returned to her Virgin aspect at Imbolc, welcomes the young Sun God’s attentions and conceives a child. The child will be born nine months from now, at the next Winter Solstice, when the cycle closes, only to begin anew.
The Easter Bunny is another symbol which has obvious links to fertility, rebirth, and the abundance of life which is evident in Spring.
Eostre was a playful Goddess whose reign over the earth began in Spring when the Sun King journeyed across the sky in his chariot, bringing the end of Winter. Eostre came down to Earth then, appearing as a beautiful maiden with a basket of bright colorful eggs. Eostre’s magical companion was a rabbit who accompanied her as she brought new life to dying plants and flowers by hiding the eggs in the fields.
Traditional Foods:
Dairy foods
Leafy Green Vegetables
Nuts such as Pumpkin
Sunflower
Pine
Hot Cross Buns
Flower Dishes
Sprouts
Herbs and Flowers
Jonquils
daffodils
Woodruff
Violet
Gorse
Olive
Peony
Iris,
Narcissus
spring flowers.Incense
Jasmine
Rose
Strawberry
FloralsSacred Gemstone
Jasper
Recipes:
Hot Cross Buns
1/4 cup apple juice, beer or rum
1 cup raisins, dried currants, or dried cranberries
1 1/4 cups milk
3 large eggs, 1 separated
6 tablespoons soft butter
2 teaspoons instant yeast
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves or allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 3/4 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
4 1/2 cups Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
Glaze:
1 large egg white
1 tablespoon milk
Frosting:
1 cup & 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
4 teaspoons milk
oven 375*
20 mins
Beer Bread
Ingredients:
2 3/4 cups flour
4 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 package active dry yeast
1 cup beer or apple juice
1 tablespoon butter
2 1/2 tablespoon honey
1 egg
9×5 Bread Pan
Dry Ingredients
Mix the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast
Beer or Apple juice and other ingredients
warm the beer/ingredients on the stove.
Add egg last – cover & let raise 30 mins.
Kneed on flour surface, cover & let raise another 20 mins
Grease pan: place in pan, cover & let “another” 20 mins
Oven 375*
30-35 mins
Lavender Goat Cheese Figs
6-10 figs
2 tablespoons cream cheese
1/4 cup goat cheese
1/4 teaspoon dried lavender
1/2 tablespoons honey
cut figs in half, spoon in cheese/lavender mixture
Vegetable Tart
1 Puff Pastry
Spread out and brush pastry with olive oil
Lightly cook in oven
Cook vegetables of choice and garlic for the tart
Add them onto the oven baked pastry
Add your cheeses – parmesan and mozzarella
Lightly cook in oven and brown
Cut and serve
Irish Soup
Sautee’
1 onion
2 leeks
garlic
Add
3 carrots
3 potatoes
2 containers vegetable broth or chicken broth
Cook on stove top or crockpot until carrots and potatoes are soft
Dec 21: The Winter Solstice is a celebration of the heart, vessel of our dreams. Through the darkest time on the planet, we are to find solace once again, returning to our inner resting place. Gallantly gazing upon our life’s daily uncertainty and unknowing future. May the earth fold us in comfort away from any harshness. As the light dims, we are to harmonize and begin to sincerely replenish our hearts and minds. The pagans called this holiday Yule, where the people of Europe and Scandinavia made festive. It is not considered religious. The pagans were naturalists, such as the Native Americans and other indigenous communities around the world. They followed the course of the sun, the moon, and the cycles of the seasons for planting food and generally planning a survival strategy. As winter comes, we recognize our need to rest our minds, hearts, and bodies while warming at the hearth. And as we come back out of the darkest day-night of the year and begin to gain more minutes of sunlight and replenishment each day. We linger for a glimmer of light to awaken, reconnecting our spark to life, to the sun and the conviviality of our own beating heart.
Recipes for Winter Solstice & Yule
Hot Apple Cider
Juice Apples or Buy Apple Cider
6 cups Apple Cider
½ tsp whole cloves
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
3 cinnamon sticks
Heat ingredients, simmer, strain & serve hot
Hearty or Veggie Stew
1 ½ pounds Beef stew meat
water (optional)
Vegetable Broth (for Vegetable stew)
¼ c. flour
Add tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, onion
1 tsp thyme
2 tbsp mustard
Salt/pepper
Cook until meat is cooked and vegetables are tender
Preheat oven to 350°. Place 1 in. of water in a large saucepan; add carrots. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until crisp-tender, 7-9 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup cooking liquid. Transfer carrots to a 1-1/2-qt. baking dish. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, onion, horseradish and reserved cooking liquid; spread evenly over carrots. Sprinkle with cheese; top with cracker crumbs. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
Turkey-spinach Casserole
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons butter
3 cups stuffing mix
3 cups cubed cooked turkey
2 cups fresh baby spinach
1/2 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Bake
Preheat oven to 350°. In a large saucepan, bring broth and butter to a boil. Remove from heat. Add stuffing mix; stir until moistened. Stir in turkey, spinach and cranberries.Transfer to a greased 11×7-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Squash Casserole
6 c. diced yellow squash or zucchini
Onion
Garlic
Salt/pepper
Butter or oil
Add into casserole dish
Bake 325* bake until squash is tender 20-45 mins
Alternative added ingredients into squash casserole
Crushed crackers
Cheese
Sour cream
Yule Log Cake
10×15-inch jelly roll pan – line with parchment paper & butter the paper.
Pre-heat oven to 400°F
4 eggs, room temperature
2/3 c. sugar — 7 minutes beat eggs while adding sugar 1 tbsp at a time
Add sifted flour ½ c to batter – stir, don’t beat
Add another ½ c. of flour – stir
Pour into pan – BAKE 10 min. Do not overcook
While hot, put the cake into a clean dish towel sprinkled with powdered sugar so it doesn’t stick.
Remove parchment paper, still warm – roll the cake with the dish towel in. Let the cake cool.
Unroll the cake – spread desired filling, jam, or frosting onto the cake and re-roll the cake.
Frost outside & decorate, Refrigerate to set overnight
13* Gemini will culminate, December 4, 2025 3:14 PM PST/6:14 PM EST.
As the Gemini Full Moon rises in the East, nestled within the Taurus constellation, it brings forth an opportunity for profound self-expression and communication. This celestial Super Moon event invites you to explore the depths of your voice, urging you to articulate your thoughts and feelings with clarity and confidence. For far too long, you may have felt stifled, caught in the web of societal expectations that prioritize politeness over authenticity. The world around you often seems fraught with tension, creating an environment where speaking your truth can feel daunting.
This full moon serves as a gentle reminder that your voice matters. It encourages you to reclaim the art of communication, to find a style that resonates with your true self. This journey is not about harsh confrontations or belittling others; instead, it is about expressing yourself with kindness and respect. Embracing a clarity of conscious speaking will allow your inner wisdom to shine through.
This full moon signals a shift, a lovely promise of feeling more liberated in your speech, as if a weight has been lifted. Your convictions will no longer feel like burdens; instead, they will flow naturally, allowing you to engage in conversations that nurture rather than harm. Trust in your intuitive kindness, and remember that the more you relax with your feelings, the more your words will resonate with authenticity. you will find that life begins to flow more effortlessly, paving the way for deeper connections.
Inner Wisdom List
Are your Values in sync –
There are about 50 values but 5 core values:
Love
Peace
Truth
Respect
Self-control
What is your philosophy of life:
Your philosophy would be your inner wisdom and conduct
What are your desires, what do you really want:
Do you harbor secret desires, what are they?
What are your fears:
What are you afraid might happen, good or bad.
Who in your life, matters
Who is important to you in the past and present
6. Speaking your truth
How easy is it to be truthful in a gentle way.
Journal Questions:
Write down what has changed and are you happy with these changes, if not why:
yourself
others
Family
Friends
Work arena
Neighborhood
City
State
Country
World
What do you have, used to have or want to have:
House
Love
Family
Parents
Mate
Children
Are you reigniting a peaceful passion for:
Love
Career
Job
Health
Relationships
Friendships
Happiness
Exercise
What needs to be perked up in your daily life:
Love
Career
Job
Health
Relationships
Friendships
Happiness
Exercise
What could be your new Aspirations:
Spiritually
Emotionally
Intellectually
Materially
Physically
Who Inspires you, list those family, friends or mentors.
Write a kind or uplifting word next to their name.
———-
There exists a profound truth: true contentment stems not from societal expectations but from a life imbued with meaning, authentic relationships, and alignment between one’s values and actions. As conscious explorer’s, we want the journey of seeking personal happiness, fostering sincere connections, and creating a positive impact that inspires others to follow suit.
The pursuit of joy should focus on experiences, personal growth, and fulfillment. By reflecting on what truly brings joy—be it a serene morning routine, pursuing a passion, or spending time with loved ones—individuals can redefine their understanding of happiness.
—— “Wisdom cannot be imparted. Wisdom that a wise man attempts to impart always sounds like foolishness to someone else … Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, do wonders through it, but one cannot communicate and teach it.”
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Her journey began with a strong foundation in traditional psychology, which she later complemented with specialized training in hypnotherapy. Tara is a certified hypnotherapist, recognized for her ability to guide individuals into deep states of relaxation and heightened awareness. This allows clients to access their subconscious mind, facilitating transformative change and healing.
Tara’s expertise extends beyond basic hypnotherapy techniques; she is skilled in regression therapy, enabling clients to explore past experiences and traumas that shape their current behaviors and beliefs. Through her compassionate and intuitive approach, she creates a safe space for clients to confront and release emotional blockages, fostering healing on multiple levels.
In addition to her one-on-one sessions, Tara has conducted numerous workshops and seminars, educating aspiring hypnotherapists and spiritual counselors on the intricacies of the practice. She is passionate about empowering others to harness the power of the mind, teaching them effective techniques for self-hypnosis, visualization, and affirmations. Her engaging teaching style and deep knowledge make her a sought-after instructor in the field.
Tara’s work is not limited to individual therapy; she has also contributed significantly to community wellness through group sessions and public speaking engagements. Her ability to connect with diverse audiences allows her to share valuable insights on the benefits of hypnotherapy, helping to demystify the process and make it accessible to all.
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In summary, Tara Sutphen CHt is a highly experienced hypnotherapist whose depth of knowledge, compassionate approach, and commitment to healing empower clients to transform their lives. Her exceptional skills and expertise provide a solid foundation for those seeking to navigate their personal challenges and embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
The Full Strawberry Moon (Native American) at 20* Sagittarius will culminate on June 10, 2025, at 12:44 am PDT/ June 11, 2025, at 3:44 am EDT (Farmers Almanac). This Full Strawberry Moon is about opening your perspective on the world view. You may have become narrow-minded or stuck in your ways, especially in how you make money and create a secure life for yourself and your loved ones. When your focus becomes broader, you still stay constructively within your personal power. It’s not about becoming adventurous per se; it is deepening the confidence in how to make money. And where to live and gain knowledge. Instead of following the routine so strategically, you’ve maybe forgotten how to have fun and expand your potential. Breathe deeply again. That’s it, remind yourself to breathe. Find your sacred space within your auric field and begin to think in magic. Knowing how to use skills and tools to help yourself achieve the next steps or goals. They can be career moves or personal ones, as you can positively influence yourself for the better. Thinking good thoughts can be the first step to rebalancing your personal power, but moving your body in a proactive, considerate way is by far more beneficial.
There are times when feeling ineffective, meek, or mired in indecision. Confusion can leave you disoriented and directionless, but taking a baby step and beginning to work past struggles can help you out of any dilemma.
Here are a few tips:
Identify the issue, but don’t dwell
Be kind to yourself
Meditate at least 5-20 minutes a day…and a couple times a day if you need to recenter. Meditation should consist of not concentrating on anything. If you don’t have a meditation practice, metaphorically: visualize or feel a golden light orb between your hands, healing you and giving you more life-force energy.
Mindfulness: exercising your mind to stay in the present state, give yourself permission to be hopeful, helpful, and make wise choices.
Listen to mind-programming, hypnosis MP3s, if you are stubborn
Get outside and get some air…maybe exercise or dance to music
Change your viewpoint, change your outlook, change your hopeless view to a hopeful panorama
Create a checklist of goals you want to accomplish, about yourself, about your attitude, about your health, about ways to make money, and about accomplishing goals
9. Be Consistent, Be Loyal, Be Reliable, Be Trustworthy – it doesn’t matter that others are not those traits, it matters that you are!
10. Make an effort, and progress will happen
When you actively move towards becoming knowledgeable or successful, you allow your life to flow in the direction of fulfillment. Move forward now, as the past is already gone. Decisions are to be made in your future. Allow yourself to start making good-to-great choices.
Journal Questions:
Are you constructive or destructive:
About yourself
Or others
Family
Friends
Work arena
Neighborhood
City
State
Country
World
Are you trying to be invisible – or are you outwardly visible?
Are you seen as Constructive or Destructive?
House
Love
Family
Parents
Mate
Children
What do you want and why
Constructive or Destructive
Love
Career
Job
Health
Relationships
Friendships
Happiness
Exercise
How can you change: List 3 things if not 3 sentences
Love
Career
Job
Health
Relationships
Friendships
Happiness
Exercise
Your Aspirations:
Spiritually
Emotionally
Intellectually
Materially
Physically
__You can be working at a job but not know how to be in tune with the task, the duty, or the people surrounding you. So this moon says, take a look at you and the way you create safety, security, and money. You are asked to make simple changes, becoming more health-conscious or going in the direction of what you do best. You can make small adjustments that can create big changes. Don’t wait for others to make you feel better; start to make yourself feel valuable, because once you do, you will be more inclined to create a contented life. Your relationships, your friendships, and your work can become smoother. Recognize yourself, you are an individual, an amazing soul, and a beautiful heart, and regain your livelihood, your fate, and purpose.
—— “’The Psychology of Money’ explores how emotion, behavior, and decision-making shape financial success. Key lessons include understanding luck, compounding, humility, controlling expenses, and avoiding lifestyle inflation. Patience and disciplined spending are essential. -Morgan Housel (American Author)
The Full Flower Moon (Native American) at 22* Scorpio will culminate, on May 12, 2025, 12:58 PM PDT/ 3:58 PM EDT (Farmers Almanac).
This Full Flower Moon is about improvement and refinement. How are you fairing in your everyday way of being. What areas do you need to recover emotionally or physically. The first stages to bounce back in areas of health and vitality are self-compassion, plenty of sleep, and mild exercise. This moon reminds us of renewal on a cellular level. Quiet the mind and get centered again… you take the world for a ride, it doesn’t take you for one. Betterment is a key to progress.
The three indicators of burnout are:
Insufficient energy or fatigue
Being negative or feeling cynical
Performing poorly
This is not the time to feel ineffective, meek, or unmotivated; as others are set in place to help through struggles. Whether through listening to common sense, polishing your skill set, or being open to your elder’s/mentors’ suggestions. Throughout this month, stop to listen often, take notes, and proceed effectively.
Recovery:
Professional counseling, hypnotherapy, massage, or a support group
Monitor stress level – keep a journal
Change our mindset
Have a cup of tea
Nature watching
Taking a walk
People watching
Yoga
Stretching
Exercising
Epsom salt bath
Vagus nerve self-massage
Hypnosis
Massage
Set boundaries for yourself
Set boundaries for others
Healthy eating
Sleeping well
Good hygiene
Finding a hobby
When you’re going through bumpy times, it’s best to become aware of them. Proceed toward refocusing on the positives in your life and not the negatives. We can become disillusioned by people, especially when they show acts of unkindness. But that is on them.
You know when you’re being unkind to yourself. We can all be very far from where we think we should be emotionally or energetically. We can base values outside ourselves, instead of working on what creates our inner wholeness. We are given many shamanic and natural signs, where we are asked to turn away from dissension and negativity, and step toward our brighter futures, where we are getting into the practice of getting better and better.
Journal Questions:
Are you constructive or destructive:
About yourself
Or others
Family
Friends
Work arena
Neighborhood
City
State
Country
World
Are you trying to be invisible – or are you outwardly visible?
Are you seen as Constructive or Destructive?
House
Love
Family
Parents
Mate
Children
What do you want and why
Constructive or Destructive
Love
Career
Job
Health
Relationships
Friendships
Happiness
Exercise
How can you change: List 3 things if not 3 sentences
Love
Career
Job
Health
Relationships
Friendships
Happiness
Exercise
Your Aspirations:
Spiritually
Emotionally
Intellectually
Materially
Physically
Relationships, friendships, and work can become less uncomplicated with shared enthusiasm. Patience is a virtue, especially when listening to others’ wisdom and expertise. We learn how to achieve together in tandem. A lovely heart begins with ourselves and extends toward the goodwill of others. Trusting our intuition is a big component. Not everyone has your best interests at heart. But you can, by having the best intentions for others. It is important to live our truth… our progress is to regain our livelihood every day. It is a part of our fate and purpose to be the best we can be.
Spring Equinox, Ostara, Eostre, Easter, Vernal Equinox
By Tara Sutphen
Spring Equinox is March 20, 2025 and marks the mid-point of the Waxing Year, the nights and days are balanced once again; the time when Kore, (Persephone) was believed to have returned from the Underworld where she had ruled throughout the Winter. The spark of light, born at Winter Solstice has reached maturity, and from here onwards, the days progressively grow longer than the nights.
Western culture proclaims this the first day of Spring. Older traditions called the Spring Equinox, Ostara; the time of the festivals of the Grecian Goddess, Eostre, and the Germanic Ostara, both fertility Goddesses of Dawn. These influenced the naming of the modern-day Easter Holiday. New greenery bursts forth from sleeping seeds in the countryside, as metaphorically, pagans also plant their own seeds for future goals, future projects and growth at this time. Decorated eggs, being symbols of fertility are symbolic of Ostara.
In days gone, Europeans gave gifts of decorated eggs to new brides, in the hope that they would bear many children. Similarly, bowls filled with eggs were given to farm workers by the farmer’s wife, to ensure a rich harvest. Most all cultures see the egg as a symbol of Life; the actual home of the Soul. In Russia, decorated eggs are still given as gifts to loved ones and buried in graves to ensure rebirth. The women gathered the eggs only from hens which were around a rooster and decorated them, allowing no one to watch them work as they transferred the goodness of the household to the designs on the eggs, thus keeping evil away. Dyes were mixed to secret family recipes and special blessings placed on each egg.
Colors of Ostara Eggs:
White:
Purity
Yellow:
Wisdom, a successful Harvest, or Spirituality
Green:
Spring, rebirth, wealth, youth, growth, happiness
Blue:
Good health, clear skies
Orange:
Power endurance, ambition, courage
Red:
Happiness, hope, passion, nobility, bravery, enthusiasm, love
Brown:
Enrichment, good harvest, happiness
Purple:
Faith, trust, power
Pink:
Success, friendship, love
Black:
Remembrance
Lore:
The custom of eating Hot Cross Buns also has pagan origins. The Saxons ate buns that were marked with a cross in honor of Eostre; Ancient Greeks consumed these types of buns in their celebrations of Artemis, Goddess of the hunt, and the Egyptians ate a similar cake in their worship of the Goddess Isis.
There are conflicting ideas as to what the cross symbol represents. One suggestion is that it is a Christianisation of horn symbols that were stamped on cakes to represent an ox, which used to be sacrificed at the time of the Spring Equinox. Another theory relates to
—Moon worship; the bun representing the full Moon, and the cross, its four quarters. Christianity gave new meanings to the symbolism of the buns, saying the cross represented the Crucifixion Cross. Thus, superstitions arose crediting these buns as being charms against evil, so after Good Friday, people would save one or two of them to hang in their homes as amulets. During the festival season and indeed, for a long time afterwards, fishermen would carry these Easter buns in their boats, for protection.
The Spring Equinox defines the season where Spring reaches it’s peak, with the powers of light increasing. The God of Light, (Llew), now gains victory over his twin, the God of Darkness. Llew was reborn at the Winter Solstice and is now old and strong enough to vanquish his rival twin and mate with his Mother Goddess. The great Mother Goddess, who returned to her Virgin aspect at Imbolc, welcomes the young Sun God’s attentions and conceives a child. The child will be born nine months from now, at the next Winter Solstice, when the cycle closes, only to begin anew.
The Easter Bunny is another symbol which has obvious links to fertility, rebirth, and the abundance of life which is evident in Spring.
Eostre was a playful Goddess whose reign over the earth began in Spring when the Sun King journeyed across the sky in his chariot, bringing the end of Winter. Eostre came down to Earth then, appearing as a beautiful maiden with a basket of bright colorful eggs. Eostre’s magical companion was a rabbit who accompanied her as she brought new life to dying plants and flowers by hiding the eggs in the fields.
Traditional Foods:
Dairy foods
Leafy Green Vegetables
Nuts such as Pumpkin
Sunflower
Pine
Hot Cross Buns
Flower Dishes
Sprouts
Herbs and Flowers
Jonquils
daffodils
Woodruff
Violet
Gorse
Olive
Peony
Iris,
Narcissus
spring flowers.Incense
Jasmine
Rose
Strawberry
FloralsSacred Gemstone
Jasper
Recipes:
Hot Cross Buns
1/4 cup apple juice, beer or rum
1 cup raisins, dried currants, or dried cranberries
1 1/4 cups milk
3 large eggs, 1 separated
6 tablespoons soft butter
2 teaspoons instant yeast
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves or allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 3/4 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
4 1/2 cups Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
Glaze:
1 large egg white
1 tablespoon milk
Frosting:
1 cup & 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
4 teaspoons milk
oven 375*
20 mins
Beer Bread
Ingredients:
2 3/4 cups flour
4 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 package active dry yeast
1 cup beer or apple juice
1 tablespoon butter
2 1/2 tablespoon honey
1 egg
9×5 Bread Pan
Dry Ingredients
Mix the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast
Beer or Apple juice and other ingredients
warm the beer/ingredients on the stove.
Add egg last – cover & let raise 30 mins.
Kneed on flour surface, cover & let raise another 20 mins
Grease pan: place in pan, cover & let “another” 20 mins
Oven 375*
30-35 mins
Lavender Goat Cheese Figs
6-10 figs
2 tablespoons cream cheese
1/4 cup goat cheese
1/4 teaspoon dried lavender
1/2 tablespoons honey
cut figs in half, spoon in cheese/lavender mixture
Vegetable Tart
1 Puff Pastry
Spread out and brush pastry with olive oil
Lightly cook in oven
Cook vegetables of choice and garlic for the tart
Add them onto the oven baked pastry
Add your cheeses – parmesan and mozzarella
Lightly cook in oven and brown
Cut and serve
Irish Soup
Sautee’
1 onion
2 leeks
garlic
Add
3 carrots
3 potatoes
2 containers vegetable broth or chicken broth
Cook on stove top or crockpot until carrots and potatoes are soft
Imbolc “IM-bulk” is a pagan holiday with many names. One of the Sabbats, it is an ancient festival generally celebrated on January 31, February 1, or February 2. It is also known as Candlemas, Brighid (“breed/bride”), and Oimelc (“EE-mulk”) which means ewe’s milk. It is the time of year halfway between December 21, the Winter Solstice (Yule), and March 21, the spring Equinox (Ostara). Imbolc is in the middle of winter but is the optimism of spring. The Egyptians and the Romans also celebrated this time, as it was the earth goddess giving birth to the Sun God. The time to ready seeds for the planting of food. A time of planning weddings, love, and romance. Days are getting longer and hope is renewed. The celebration is to light candles. The night of white candles turns the darkness into light.