Ôstara Blót

March 20, 2012 at 11:09 am (Holidays)
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This is a simple little ritual I pieced together. The words for the fire lighting is classic Ceisiwr Serith used in ADF liturgy. I use fire to ward and hallow instead of the Hammer Rite. A lot of the wording I’ve gotten for my Norse rites is from The Hammerstead Kindred Blot Book.
On the altar have a goddess figure, to represent Ôstarâ, that has little holes or perforations all in it for placing flowers; it could be just a basic form made of chicken wire or a papier-mâché figure with little holes punched in it with an ice pick. Decorate the altar with colored eggs and an Osterhase (Ôstarâ Hare). Everyone brings flowers and greenery to place on the goddess figure, and any other offerings they want to bring.

Warding: Hallowing Charm

(A musical signal marks the beginning of ritual.)

Introduction & Fire Lighting
“We gather now as our ancestors did, to worship the Old Ones and commemorate the turning seasons of the year at the time of Ôstara. As our ancestors did before us, let us pray with a good fire. I kindle the sacred fire in wisdom, love, and power.” (light fire)
“Sacred fire, burn within us.”

The Call: “Hail Sunna! Herald of Spring: She who brings the warmth & the light.
Hail Nerthus! Mother of Spring: She whose body is crops’ delight.
Hail Frey! Lord of Spring: He who blesses the land; its king.
Hail Freya! Lady of Spring: She who permeates all living things.
Hail Ôstarâ! Flower Maiden: The embodiment of Spring.
Hail Thor!  Bringer of Rain: He who is the friend of farmers, & makes grow the grain.
Make fruitful our labors, & also our crops, that we may live & prosper!”

The Hallowing & Blessing: the mead is passed over the fire. The participants and the altar are sprinkled with the hallowed drink. leader/gothi says: “May the blessings of the Holy Ones be upon us.”

The Sharing: the drink is shared and hails made. When the last of the drink is poured into the blótbolli (blessing bowl), leader/gothi says: “Holy Ones, accept our gifts! Hail the gods and goddesses of life! Hail to the holy, all-giving earth!”

Symbolism: Everyone walks in procession around the circle to the altar to place flowers or other tokens of Spring into the perforations of the goddess figure, while singing “O’ She Will Bring“.

Offering & Closing: the mead in the blótbolli is poured onto the ground at the base of a tree (or over a hörgr).
“From the Gods to the earth, to us. From us, to the earth, to the Gods.
The cycle continues. The rite is ended”

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A children’s song for Ôstarâ / Ēostre

March 19, 2012 at 3:44 pm (Chants & Songs, Holidays, Pagan Parenting)
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“Here Comes Ôstarâ”  (tune: “Mary Had a Little Lamb”)
Ôstarâ has brought the Spring again, Spring again, Spring again.
Ôstarâ has brought the Spring again, and Winter’s gone away.
Here she comes on the rainbow bridge, rainbow bridge, rainbow bridge.
Here she comes on the rainbow bridge, and flowers spring up behind her.

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A MID-SPRING RITE

March 11, 2011 at 8:50 am (Holidays, spirituality)
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(A part of my “little ritual” series.  Materials from, and adapted from ADF, the Carmia Gadelica, and other sources.)  Ritual takes place in the eastern part of your garden, or if you have no garden, perhaps in a place close to where you forage for wild greens.  In addition to usual “little ritual” supplies, have ready a boiled egg dyed red and marked with fertility symbols and a tool for digging.

Purpose
“I am here to keep the old ways
and honor the Kindred at the time of Mid-Spring.”

Three Realms Blessing
“As it was, as it is, as it evermore shall be –
I stand at the Center of Earth, Sky and Sea.”

Fire Lighting
“I kindle the sacred fire in wisdom, love, and power.” 
(light small fire in a metal container)
“Sacred fire, burn within me.”

Hail to the Spirits
“Hail, Earth Mother, whole and holy, honor unto thee!” 
(touch the earth, give offering)
“I offer now as the ancients did to the Kindreds Three!”
“To the Fair Folk, I give offering and welcome.” 
(place offering in bowl or fire)
“To the Ancestors, I give offering and welcome.” 
(place offering in bowl or fire)
“To my Deities, I give offering and welcome.” 
(place offering in bowl or fire)

Greeting to the Spring Equinox
(adapted from an invocation by Caitlin Matthews)
“Glad Bringer of Brightness, hail! 
Maiden of Grace, Lad of Laughter.
Gifts of vigor are returning,
Spring’s surprise, rainbow’s embrace.
Quickened be the heart within us,
opened be our souls to grace,
May the blessing be abiding,
welcome renewal in every place.”

Egg Blessing
Dig a hole for the egg.  Blow into the hole and say: 
“I breathe life into the soil as Bríde does,
Gentle Bríde brings life unto all things
as She spreads Her green mantle over the land.”
Hold up the egg and say: 
“Red egg of the Spring season,
symbol of life and fertility,
may you be blest by the Sun and Shining Ones.”
Bury the egg, saying: 
“Mother of the Roots and Moist Earth,
I give this egg to you in offering. 
Enfold it in your rich arms,
and may me and mine be blest in loving exchange,
O Sweet and Holy Mother.”
Sing praise song(s) and/or
sit in silent reverence and communion with the Spirits.

Parting Blessing
“I offer my thanks to the Mother of All. 
I offer my thanks to the Deities, Ancestors and Fair-Folk.
May the Three Sacred Kins bring joy to all beings,
and renew the ancient wisdom.
As it was, as it is, as it evermore shall be.”

~~~
—Seed Blessing 
(optional- may use in place of egg blessing)
“Now is the dark half of the year passing. 
Now the days grow light and the Earth grows warm. 
The spirit of these seeds is summoned by the sunlight
after they have long slept in darkness. 
May the Shining Ones bless these seeds that are here.” 
(Hold seeds up.)
“Behold, they will awaken, stir and swell. 
Soon they will be planted in the earth,
to grow and bring forth new fruit.” 
(Place seeds in starter containers or sprouting jar
-or if using “seed bombs”,
toss them to where you want them to grow.)

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