Today marks the first day of Spring and is also the pagan festival of Ostara (pronounced O-star-ah). So what’s Ostara all about?
It’s about new beginnings, rebirth and fertility. Ostara is an equinox (equinox is latin for equal days), the day and night are in balance. After today, the days will get longer and the nights will get shorter. The days will not only get longer, but warmer as well.
At this time Nature renews its self and new life begins: new buds appear on trees, plants like daffodils rise out of the soil, hibernating animals with come out of hibernation and many animals will give birth to offspring.
For pagans it is about new beginnings, such as starting new projects. It’s an opportunity to appreciate the renewal and new life in nature.
Symbols for Ostara include eggs (as practically all life comes from some sort of egg), rabbits (a fertility symbol), lambs and honey.
Colours associated with Ostara include yellow, orange, red and light green.
I intend of celebrating Ostara by planning some new creative projects.
It’s a lovely evening of chilled out blogging for me (I know it’s about time).
So lets catch up….
The other weekend David and I went to Alderley Edge. It’s kind of like an…well…an edge. A beautiful view (unfortunately I didn’t quite manage to get a picture. David and I had an intimate kiss – it was lovely. We did have to watch out for straight people about but that’s what you get when you live in a hetrosexual world.
I did manage to get a random picture of a cave:
(David and I had to sneak under the fence to get this – which was haliourious as David had a backpack on!)
In other news, I have rather naughtly started buying for the new apartment. I bought this kettle:
It is sooo camp and flashes all different colours when it does different things. – I know, us gays are attracted by bright multi coloured lights! As you have no doubt guessed, the apartment will be a gay one.
This weekend just gone David and I went to Manchester Minerals. We both bought various crystals (for a lot cheaper than they would be at various new age shops I might add). But I bought this big clear quartz:
I have decided I am going to buy one a month when possible to fill my new apartment, with positive, healing energy. David and I both knew that it was Ostara on Saturday (see Pagan Festivals) and although we did nothing specific. We did recognise (and buy the crystal) for my new home (new beginnings) as well as buying several
Orange, red, yellow and pink.
Crystals. Do you think that will do?
Sunday was Mothers Day and I went down for Sunday dinner at my mums. She cooks the absolute best Sunday dinners I have ever had! Gordan Ramsay – eat your heart out!
Mum and I watched the two Narnia Films, especially the Prince Caspian one that I haven’t seen. I realised that a lot of the film themes around sacrifice. If we made more sacrifice’s for one another, would the world be a better place? (Just a random thought there!)
Hope the update was worth the read. Coming soon, Tina Turner – photos and videos.
This year being disorganised I missed Imbolc. I only realised a day before and hence didn’t really get round to doing anything (I know tut, tut).
So in order that I not miss any further of my pagan festivals I decided to add the dates to my diary and post them here. I will give the festival name, date and some information about the festival. Here we go:
Imbolc – 2nd February
Known as the festival of light. It celebrates the end of dark winter and welcomes the sun and the light to the world. Asking the world to wake up out of hibernation. The goddess is seen as the maiden at this festival. Indeed the festival celebrates her as a maiden. She is still in recovery from child-birth. Colours: White, yellow & gold. Themes: Fire, creativity, poetry, inspiration, light, healing. Related Blog Posts:Tatton park, a poem. (Creativity & poetry), Ups and Downs (Healing)
Ostara – 20th March
Ostara celebrates the first day of spring. When light and dark are in balance. The god matures and becomes a man. He will live and rule until Samhain. Colours: Orange, red, yellow and pink. Themes: Fertility, new beginnings, flowers, nature. Related Blog Posts:Welcome to the notice board of antonysimpson.com! (New beginnings)
Beltane – 1st May
Beltane is the midpoint between spring and summer. The god and the goddess meet, become lovers get married consecrating their union. The goddess becomes pregnant. Colours: White, purple, blue and light green. Themes: Love, relationships, commitment, fire, fun – music and dancing. Related Blog Posts:Category – Love & Relationships (Love and relationships), The Feeling were Awesome (Music and dancing), Bathroom dancing, Inspired and Just Discovered (Dancing), Thanks to the attractive stranger (Kylie – music and dancing)
Litha – 20th June
The longest day of the year. It is the summer time harvest. I like this blessing:
As the sun spirals its longest dance,
Cleanse us
As nature shows bounty and fertility
Bless us
Let all things live with loving intent
And to fulfil their truest destiny Wiccan blessing for Summer
(from http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/holydays/summersolstice.shtml, last accessed: 08th February 09)
The god and goddess reaffirm their relationship and commitment to one another. Colours: Blue, green, red and yellow. Themes: Fruitful endeavours, child-like play, affirmations, water & emotions.
Lammas – 1st August
The harvesting of berries and grains take place at around the time of this festival. Days are getting shorter. The gods power continues to wane. Colours: Purple, black, brown, yellow (pale shades). Themes: Magick, death, banishing, hopes, work.
Mabon – 22nd September
The autumn equinox. Light and dark are again in balance, however from this point on we shall have less sun light as it get’s darker. It’s about also giving thanks to the mother goddess for providing enough food (from the harvest) for the winter. The god prepares for his journey to the underworld. The mother goddess is heavily pregnant but continues to rein and begins to age. Colours: Brown, violet, indigo, blue & black. Themes: Land & property, goals, introspection, past life regression, relaxation, letting go. Related Blog Posts:Category – Thinking (Introspection), Goals for 2009 (Goals), Relaxation (Relaxation)
Samhain – 31st October
The last harvest. When the vails between the worlds are thin. Seen as the pagan ‘New Year’. Also known as Halloween. The goddess is now the crone. With age coming wisdom. Colours: Black, orange, purpose, violet, white. Themes: Ancestors, death, rebirth, banishing & bindings, spirit & guide communication, guidance. Related Blog Posts:Samhain Ritual, goes well (Samhain)
Yule – 21st December
The first day of winter also known as the winter solstice. Longest night of the year. Evergreens and pine are ideal for your alter along with traditional Yule logs. Wreath’s symbolise the wheel of the year. The goddess gives birth to the god and then goes in to hibernation being tired from child-birth. Colours:White, green, red, gold & silver. Themes: Prosperity, death, rebirth, banishing, protection, goal setting, happiness, peace & harmony. Related Blog Posts:Yule & A Lifetime Gift (Yule)
God and Goddess
Many pagans believe in a god and a goddess. I differ slightly. I do believe there is a god-like being, but that it is one that is genderless as it is simply energy. Some pagans would disagree with this, although like I said earlier these are my own individual beliefs.
(From Antony Simpson Paganism)
Are you a Doctor, Nurse, Healthcare Assistant or Other Healthcare Professional? Or a Student?
Ways The Human Body Can Go Wrong covers every system of the body, what can go wrong when the body malfunctions or fails, symptoms (including why these happen) and cures/treatments available.
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My dear friend Roy decided to follow in his family’s footsteps and enlist in the Royal Navy.
I wanted to maintain our friendship, to continue to support Roy, to make him laugh and to entertain him. So I came up with the idea of sending him a weekly email on random topics.
These emails were on a variety of topics, always being entertaining, sometimes being interesting, sometimes funny and occasionally being serious.
Topics included: Jokes, Puzzles, Inspirational Quotes, Future Technology to Be Excited About, How to Fight A Shark, How to Woo A Turtle, Some of the Most Amazing Jobs in the World, Facts About Castles, Do Aliens Exist?, The Kindest Humans, A List of Cakes, 13 Weird Body Facts, 20 Super Space Facts, Ancient Egyptian Curses, 10 Weird Olympic Games, The Great Emu War of 1932, Quiz: Flags of the World, Legendary Characters from the UK and others.
My Royal Navy Friend is a copy of these emails. In total, there are 52 emails. Dispersed throughout the book are also Royal Navy facts and stories.
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This book contains everything that you need to know about mental health and mental illness. Mental Health Wisdom is divided into three sections.
Understanding is section one and is all about the facts of mental health.
In section two, Empathy Through Lived Experience, the author shares his personal experience of mental illness.
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Mental Health Wisdom contains everything that you need to know about mental health and mental illness.
Mental Health Wisdom is divided into three sections.
Understanding is section one and is all about the facts of mental health.
In section two, Empathy Through Lived Experience, the author shares his personal experience of mental illness.
Life Hacks is section three. It’s all about self-care and quick and easy ways to improve your mental health, prevent mental illness or relapse of mental illness.
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Hi Sofia, Thanks for the comment. I bought that in Glastonbury and he was a real find. I bought him…
Hi! I know this was posted ages ago and so a response may be rare but my dad has been…
Hi Ruth, Thanks for the comment. He might well have been. A x
Hi! Watching video and interviews with Charlie Watt, it had me wondering if he might have had Aspergers/ been on…
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A great introductory article on candle magic :)
Hi Sofia, Thanks for the comment. I bought that in Glastonbury and he was a real find. I bought him…
Hi! I know this was posted ages ago and so a response may be rare but my dad has been…
Hi Ruth, Thanks for the comment. He might well have been. A x
Hi! Watching video and interviews with Charlie Watt, it had me wondering if he might have had Aspergers/ been on…