Ostara: Celebrate the Spring Equinox

This spell helps restore balance and harmony in your life, aligning with the equal day and night of the equinox.

Ingredients:

• Two candles (one white, one black)
• Small scale or balance symbol
• Amethyst crystal

Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Space: Cleanse your space with sage or another cleansing herb.
2. Light the Candles: Light the white candle to represent light and the black candle to represent darkness.
3. Place the Amethyst: Set the amethyst crystal in between the candles on the scale or balance symbol.
4. Focus on Balance: Visualize the balance between light and dark, day and night, within yourself.
5. Recite the Spell:"Balance of light, balance of dark, Harmony within, ignites the spark. Equinox power, even and bright, Bring me balance, day and night."
6. Close the Ritual: Thank the elements and extinguish the candles.

This spell focuses on renewing love and relationships, aligning with the themes of growth and new beginnings.

Ingredients:

• Pink candle
• Rose petals
• Rose quartz
• Piece of paper and pen

Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Space: Cleanse your space with rose incense or another cleansing method.
2. Light the Pink Candle: Pink symbolizes love and renewal. Focus on your intention.
3. Create a Love Circle: Arrange the rose petals in a circle around the candle.
4. Hold the Rose Quartz: Hold the rose quartz in your hand and visualize love and renewal.
5. Write Your Intentions: Write down your intentions for love and renewal on the piece of paper.
6. Recite the Spell:"Ostara’s light, fresh and new, Renew love, deep and true. By rose and quartz, my heart’s desire, Ignite our love, a burning fire."
7. Close the Ritual: Thank the elements and extinguish the candle. Keep the rose quartz and paper in a safe place.

This spell promotes growth and abundance in your life, aligning with the theme of new beginnings and flourishing.

Ingredients:

• Green candle
• Small pot or container
• Soil
• Seeds (herbs or flowers)
• Citrine crystal

Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Space: Cleanse your space with an herb like basil or mint.
2. Light the Green Candle: Green represents growth and abundance. Focus on your intention.
3. Plant the Seeds: As you plant the seeds in the soil, visualize them growing and bringing abundance into your life.
4. Place the Citrine: Place the citrine crystal in the soil with the seeds.
5. Recite the Spell:"Seeds of growth, planted with care, Abundance flows, in earth and air. Ostara’s gift, life anew, Prosperity grows, in all I do."
6. Water the Seeds: Give the seeds a gentle watering.
7. Close the Ritual: Thank the elements and extinguish the candle.

A fresh salad featuring seasonal spring greens, perfect for celebrating the renewal of nature.

Ingredients:

• Mixed spring greens (spinach, arugula, baby kale)
• Sliced radishes
• Chopped green onions
• Crumbled feta cheese
• Lemon vinaigrette (lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Greens: Wash and dry the spring greens.
2. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the greens, radishes, green onions, and feta cheese.
3. Add Dressing: Drizzle with lemon vinaigrette and toss to combine.
4. Serve: Serve fresh and enjoy the vibrant flavors.

Deviled eggs are a classic dish perfect for Ostara, symbolizing new life and fertility.

Ingredients:

• 6 hard-boiled eggs
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Paprika for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Eggs: Peel the hard-boiled eggs and cut them in half lengthwise.
2. Make the Filling: Remove the yolks and mash them with mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
3. Fill the Eggs: Spoon or pipe the yolk mixture back into the egg whites.
4. Garnish: Sprinkle with paprika.
5. Serve: Serve chilled.

Hot cross buns are a traditional treat often enjoyed during the spring season.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm milk
• 1/2 cup butter (melted)
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup currants or raisins
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• Icing (powdered sugar mixed with a little milk)

Instructions:

1. Activate the Yeast: Dissolve the yeast in warm milk and let sit for 5 minutes.
2. Mix Dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, spices, currants, melted butter, eggs, and the yeast mixture. Knead until smooth.
3. Let Dough Rise: Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
4. Shape Buns: Punch down the dough and shape it into 12 buns. Place them on a baking sheet.
5. Second Rise: Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes.
6. Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Add Crosses: Once cooled, pipe icing crosses on the top of each bun.
8. Serve: Serve warm or store in an airtight container.