The magic of the spring equinox

The feast of the goddess Ostara (Eostre, goddess of dawn and fertility) marks the coming of spring — “eastre” and the “opening of the earth”.

On this day the Sun crosses the celestial equator in its visible journey along the ecliptic, and day and night are equal across the whole Earth — twelve hours each. The spring equinox (the March equinox, when day equals night) symbolises the start of a new cycle in nature and new beginnings in human life.

This day ends winter for good and begins spring: spring defeats winter but does not chase it away. Winter still needs some time to gather itself and depart.

In the Christian tradition this feast was shifted slightly in time and replaced by the Annunciation. But from old habit people never wait for that day — garden work begins before the Annunciation, and this season of first work falls precisely on the spring equinox.

On this day, hold a small sabbath feast.

On the spring equinox, rites of fertility are performed, of readiness for conception, and indeed any rites bound up with life force. It is a day of joy, harmony and the triumph of life.

The feast of Ostara should be met outdoors in nature, even if the weather is unkind.

Dwellings were cleansed before this day, and on the day itself strong protections were set upon them; rites were held to drive out snakes, frogs, toads and biting insects. It was considered a crime to kill a viper, snake or toad found in the house or yard — the house-spirit (domovoi, the household guardian) might have taken that shape. And if offended, he could send fire upon the house, or worse.

The house must be tidied and scoured by this day. Great weight was laid on what people said and did: evil words and deeds, quarrels, insults and foul language were to be avoided.

The rite that drives out snakes, frogs, toads and restless souls

Begin the evening before, so that all can be finished on the day itself. For the rite, gather all the rubbish piled up in the house, the yard and the vegetable plot. Heap everything useless — old things, torn shoes, old magazines, dry branches — into a pile and set it alight.

When all has burned, scatter the ash over the vegetable plot, spread manure, and fumigate the house with herbs. Walk around the house with copper mallets or little bells, chanting:

“Hey, you frogs, snakes and larvae — stumps and logs for you, and for me (your name) a clear road! Milk for the house cat, and for me (your name) a light heart!

Whatever I do and wherever I go, may my path be bright and my work turn out well. By the word of Veles (the old Slavic god of cattle and magic) — key and lock! Hey!”

Ring the house with an axe carried in a circle, so that no evil may step across, and try to give nothing out of the house — neither things nor food (except loaves baked in advance for these days, which alone are given away) — lest the householders and the homestead be ill-wished.

One of the oldest customs of the day is setting birds free, doves above all. By legend they will carry word of the good you have done to the angels, who will reward and bless you in return.

On this day any sorcery holds great power — whether drawing love, summoning passion, bettering one's fortunes, or pleading for recovery.

I recommend trying a true working of manifestation.

Cover a table with a white cloth; cut from green paper or fabric a triangle with sides of 30 centimetres. On each side draw or embroider in gold a single word:

Lay the triangle on your working table. At each of its corners set one green candle in a holder. Ring the triangle with a circle of fresh flowers.

Outside the circle, to your right, set a goblet of red wine, and lay beside it a knife with a black handle.

“At this hour, when light and darkness have joined, I call upon three spirits: Avaris, Nego and Shibas — enter into this sign to fulfil my will. In the name of Sekhmet, Pan, Hecate, Isis, Anubis, Leto, Ishtar, Diana, Helios, Cernunnos and Habondia, and by all the names of the ancient and worthy gods, I command and beseech you, in honour of Ostara, to accomplish… (state your request).”

Place at the triangle's centre a symbol of your goal: a photograph of a loved one, a photograph of a sick person in need of healing, documents, or simply a slip of paper with your wish.

Concentrate on your desire; picture it fulfilled. Dip the knife's blade into the wine. Let the drops of wine running from the blade sprinkle the symbol of your goal. Direct your will through the knife toward its attainment. Say:

“By this act I bind together myself, my goal (name it once more), the world of Light and the world of Darkness, and I send Shibas, Nego and Avaris to carry out the charge I lay upon them. In the names of Habondia, Cernunnos, Helios, Diana, Ishtar, Leto, Anubis, Isis, Hecate, Pan and Sekhmet, may all my petitions be fulfilled.”

Take a sip of wine from the goblet and say:

“So be it! So be it! So be it!”

Take the remaining wine, gather the flowers from the table, and go out with them to a crossroads. Dig a small hollow in the earth, pour the wine into it, and lay the flowers on top. Say:

“With this offering I thank the Master of the underworld and the world above — and as it is above, so may it be below!”

Bow to all four quarters and walk away.

When the candles have burned down, take your symbol of the goal and lay it beneath your pillow for three nights. Then take it out and hide it away. It will stand as surety that your design shall come to pass.

On this day no one works, sews or knits. Cutting, washing or combing the hair is unwise. But you may “stitch up, tie up” your fate.

In olden times, harmless pilfering was practised on this day — for luck. But only harmless pilfering: quite unnoticeable and causing no loss! The householder it was played upon must never notice or discover it — otherwise it brought failure and trouble for the whole year instead.