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 Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 7:11 pm
Just as I finished my Ostara ritual tonight, I walked into my study and heard the faint chimes of church bells. It was comforting, and I’ll admit I did smirk at the ironic timing, but one thing was certain in my heart; I celebrated the rebirth of Spring at exactly the right moment.
Its is, technically, almost a month later than when the actual Spring Equinox took place.
My reasoning here: I live in Northern Michigan, and just last week we got an apocalyptic blizzard that amassed about a foot of snow. In April. That was not very spring-like at all, in fact, it was a bitchslap to the face. Still, I did not “freak out”, I didn’t scream out the window “WTF ARE YOU THINKING?!”. Living in a climate for over 10 years where the weather can do whatever it wants has taught me not to take the first notions of spring too seriously. Still, Ostara is set on the Equinox, and more often than not we have at least 6 inches of the white stuff still hanging around.
It doesn’t help me get into the mood. I tried performing an Ostara ritual while snowflakes flew around my shoulders, it sucked. The following years I shirked it off, almost resentfully, but this year got me thinking. While I felt admittedly “off” (akin to feeling guilty, but I never feel true guilt if I cannot perform a ritual…that’s not the Goddesses message), I knew that March 21st was just not Spring, not really. I held off, waited while countless flash blizzards came and went. It wasn’t until tonight, which is the celebrated night when Christ was laid in the tomb, a parallel to the general theme of Imbolc and Ostara. This is a time when Spring returns, and in many traditions, when the Goddess ascends from the Underworld. Likewise, today was sunny, on the warm side, and almost personified as being the first day of -actual- Spring. So, I did my Ostara ritual tonight, and it felt amazing.
While on that note, more often than not the bulk of us are caught up in the “Wheel of the Year”, and other calendars that are traditionally from other parts of the world. Other climates that do not match ours, celebrating themes and ideas that might be entirely different than what we are experiencing. I’ll give a hand to those who can feel the changing of the seasons on the dates that are given in the Celtic calendar system, that’s pretty awesome. Annnnd those who stick to traditions, the equinoxes and solstices, I can see the meaning there. Yet what about the rest of us that just are not feeling it?
This is why I propose, while celebrating Sabbats accordingly, we should try to look at our Genus loci, the spirits that reside around our immediate area (which is often in sync with the mythos of the people who previously lived on the land). Get in touch with what was celebrated before, why it was, and really look at what is happening in the nature around us. Form here on out, Ive resolved to celebrate spring, not necessarily on Ostara, but when it really and truly feels like Spring, when nature has officially “awakened”.
The rest of the Sabbats however, as Michigan seems to get its winter “period” just on time, are null and void to my thinking, Lol. J/k.
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Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 12:40 pm
I like the idea of making the Sabbats align with the actual seasonal Wheel of the Year. However, it is better for me to celebrate "fixed", or Greater, Sabbats on their dates. I tend to be more open with the Lesser Sabbats if I follow the Greater Sabbats on their days. That also allows me to be more open with my ever-changing schedule.
I usually celebrate the GS like this:
Samhain - Oct.31st
Imbolc - Feb.2nd
Beltane - May 1st
Lughnassadh - Aug.1st
Then I get two to three day options for the Lesser Sabbats, which leaves it open for me to connect and to plan accordingly. I do agree with Meri, however; you should celebrate when it fits you. :3
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witchunterobin Vice Captain
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