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A Solitary Ritual for Ostara
Blessing and Planting Seeds
by
Maria Kay Simms
Ostara is an excellent time to make your earliest preparations for
spring gardening. Seeds that have been saved from harvest, or new seeds
and bulbs that are now easily obtainable in the stores, can be magically
charged. If planted now they will become sturdy little plants to
transplant to your garden by Beltane. For the past two years I have
started plants at this time, set them out in my circle garden in May
and then had the pleasure of seeing them bloom beautifully later in the
summer. Both years flower seeds were given during Circle of the Cosmic
Muse's Ostara ritual. Though seeds are often included within group
rites, the blessing and planting of seeds is an excellent choice for an
Ostara rite you can do alone.
Before your ritual obtain flower or herb seeds appropriate to your
regional climate that correspond to each of the four elements in color
or in magical correspondence. You will also need small potting
containers, a bag of potting soil and a small trowel.
Herbal correspondences can be
found on this site, and in
Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magickal Herbs,
Llewellyn 1985, there is an appendix that lists elemental correspondences
for a large number of herbs and flowering plants.
Though you can do this ritual at any time, an optimum time for a rite of
this season is sunrise. After all, we invoke the Goddess of Dawn! Perhaps
this rite will take on an extra charge by doing it at at the first sunrise after Spring Equinox.
Set your altar area so you have a working space protected from possible
spills, with perhaps a large tray to hold the potting materials. Have a
candle in the appropriate color at each quarter (yellow for East/Air,
red for South/Fire, blue for West/Water, green for North/Earth), and
beside it place a corresponding seed packet. On your altar have a white
candle for Ostara, a censer, incense, a feather, salt, a small bowl, a
pitcher of water sufficient to fill both bowl and to water the plants,
and a pentacle. Since it is likely that you will do this ritual indoors
(unless you do live in a warm climate), a soft and subtle incense is
best, such as the Circle Incense from The Witch's Circle.
Pour some of the water into the small bowl to mix with salt, while
retaining most of the water fresh in the pitcher. Cast circle in your
usual manner, using a saltwater blend and incense to cleanse and
consecrate your ritual area. Then, call the Watchtowers by lighting the
candle at each quarter. Pick up the seed packet near it and pass it in a
clockwise circle around the candle as you evoke its element. Take each
seed packet with you as you continue around the circle and back to the
altar:
East:
Power of Air, spring breezes come
Bless these seeds with energy
Bless me, too, that I may grow
In knowledge, balance, clarity.
South:
Power of Fire, warmth of Sun
Bless these seeds with energy
Bless me, too, that I may grow
In courage, will, integrity.
West:
Power of Water, flow of life
Bless these seeds with energy
Bless me, too, that I will grow
In love, compassion, empathy.
North:
Power of Earth, new life awakes
Bless these seeds with energy
Bless me, too, that I may grow
In discipline, strength, stability.
As you light the white candle on your altar, invoke Ostara:
Ostara, Maiden of Spring I call
Bright, fresh presence come to me
Bless these seeds and bless me, too
To grow in health and energy
Guide me to my highest good
This is my will, so mote it be!
Pass each seed packet three times around the Ostara
candle. Focus on your growth in energy, health and Spirit
as you help your seeds to grow by carefully planting them
and then watering them with the fresh consecrated water
from the pitcher. When the plants are in the soil, take
a deep breath and hold your hands cupped above the Ostara
candle flame. Feel the warmth and energy, gradually
expanding your hands outward. Focus and then draw the
energy down toward the planters, sending it into the soil
and seeds.
After you have thanked Ostara and the four elemental
guardians and closed your circle, place the planters in a
sunny window and water them as needed until they have grown
sufficiently and the weather permits moving them outdoors to
transplant into the ground. As you watch the plants sprout and
grow, renew your energy and commitment to also grow in your goals
and in Spirit.
Circle Incense
(from The Witch's Circle, page 378)
Blend the ingredients with mortar and pestle. Enchant them
as you work by focusing on your intent to bless and charge
the growth of the plants you will start in your Ostara
ritual, and also your own growth in Spirit. Burn the
incense on charcoal.
Copyright © 2006
Maria Kay Simms
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THE CRAFT
Facts about The Craft
What are Wicca and Witchcraft?
The Wiccan Rede
& the Law of Three
The Pentagram
The Elements
Air |
Fire |
Water |
Earth
The Wheel of the Year
The Timing of the Sabbats
Samhain |
Yule |
Imbolc |
Ostara
Beltane |
Litha |
Lughnasad |
Mabon
Magical Moon
Maria Kay Simms' monthly column on
lunar and astrological events to
help you plan your magickal calendar.
Recommended Reading
Moon Tides, Soul Passages,
The Witch's Circle,
A Time for Magick,
Future Signs, and
Your Magical Child
by
Maria Kay Simms
Books on Spellcraft
Books on Wicca & related subjects
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