Ostara/Rites of Spring

[Metta]

Hi everyone.

I've been asked to act as High Priestess tomorrow night at a ritual that will celebrate Ostara and the Full Moon...and I'm nervous. It was short notice and I have *tonight* to come up with something good for about 4 people.

Any ideas/links/tips/hints would be really appreciated. I'm furiously looking through ideas, jotting down notes, etc. I thought that you all would lend me fresh perspectives :)

Thanks all...blessings...

-Metta

[ladyalpha]

I am holding our public rite Saturday. What I have decided to do this year is an egg blessing for those that bring them to place on the altar. I will be directing energy into the eggs and it will be worded for either eating or burying the eggs, which ever the person chooses to do with it when they take it home. Life is within the egg, and who ever (whatever) eats it brings that new life into their being/life.

One thing I participated in years ago at Circle Sanctuary was an egg divination. You decorate your egg as you wish and draw runes on it. Then when your ready with your question/intent, you roll the egg. Whichever rune comes up is what you need to work on or the answer to the question, depending on the person.
While I don't have enough room to do this with the group I am planning on doing it either alone or with my family this year.

I will also be discussing what Ostara is about and all the symbols that we still use and see this time of year. This is something I feel is important for my rite because there are children present and also some that are new to a Pagan path attending.
If all those attending your rite are not new or young, you may not wish to include this. But, I think it is something that is good to be reminded of. A way to reconnect with why we celebrate and honor Eostre.

I'm sure there are many other ways that others are celebrating. So I hope that you find something that you can use to make your rite as special as it can be. A day before really is short notice but I'm sure you will do fine. :)
I am not used to having others in the circle with me, other than my husband and children, so I stumble bad when I have the whole group together now. I think laughing and moving on is the best way to handle it. So long as nothing catches on fire it's all good. lol

Blessed Ostara.

[Shawn Blackwolf]

"And this be a night , pregnant with possibility ; a night ,
bringing a new day forth , after the long sleep of winter's
dark ; This is a night we gather , to turn the wheel to spring ,
and new promise to be fulfilled ; thus , it is time to release
that which we have carried through this dark , when we
turned within ; it is time for the outward spiral of life..."

"And so , seeds we offer...seeds to be planted with the new
coming moon...tonite...implant these seeds , with the full
potency of your hopes , desires , and thoughts...to blossom ,
to bloom , to spring forth...nurture them , as you nurture
yourselves , this year...bring yourselves forth...as the seeds
of potential you are...yours is a fertile field of imagination..."

"What shall you plant , and what shall you bring forth ?"

"Imagine it , see it , and dream it forth , creator , creatrix ,
from the still point at the center of yourself...for within you ,
within me , within each of us...is the seed of a universe to come..."

"This night...make it so..."

"And more...this night...it is time for the Absolution of Self "

"A time of letting go , and freeing the form and spirit , to join
in the celebration of awakening , to feel the sensual , sexual ,
energy of earth , and embrace it , as ye may choose to embrace
each other..."

"Thus...with this water , the waters of cleansing , waters of life..."

"Waters blessed by this full moon...we shall go around the circle
and ask each of you to dip your fingers in the bowl , and anoint
your head , heart , and groin...and this be our blessing for you..."

"There Is No Shame , There Is No Guilt , Be Who You Are ,
Do What Thou Wilt"

"And we ask each of you , to look at each other...bless one another"

"With the same words , in the same way...and then , when the
circle parts , yet remains , do just that...this night , this night
of potential and promise...yet to be fulfilled..."

Go , my friends...and in the Rites of Spring...Do What Thou Wilt!