Spring Has Sprung!

Happy Spring!

Happy Ostara!

Blessings upon you all as the sun begins to come out and warm us up again. Extra blessings to those of you who live in cold climates. Spring is here! Feel it!

Ostara is one of the eight main holidays on the Wheel of the Year. Some scholars believe it was a festival for an old German Goddess, Ostara or Eostre. She was the Goddess of the Dawn, the Daughter of the Heavens. Some also believe she was the goddess of fertility and birth. She was celebrated during her namesake month on the old Germanic calendar, which fell near what is now April. She is considered the namesake for the festival of Easter. Her name is the derivative for the word “estrogen”. Her symbols included eggs and rabbits or hares. Some even have said it was hares or rabbits that pulled the Goddess’ chariot as she brought the dawn, although there are no writings supporting that. There are a few suggesting animals and possibly cats. Both cats and rabbits have been common animal familiars.

It is also said that it could have started form a cult following the old Norse Goddess Austra. They had long died out before Christianity hit the area. But perhaps her legend remained.

Experts agree it probably derived from ancient Celtic or Saxon spring holidays that were woven into the Christian traditions of the same time. Christians who came to the area probably realized the value of Easter to the Pagans there and tolerated the name for one of their own grandest anniversaries in order to convert people to Christianity. A lot of the traditions are similar, to include the inclusions of rabbits, eggs, sweets, baked goods and bonfires. Other religions, such as Jewish (Purim and Passover), Hindu (Holi) and Sikh (Hola Mohalla) all have important celebrations during the spring.

Modern Pagans generally celebrate it on the vernal equinox, or the first of spring, as we are right now. It is a time of renewal and rebirth. The bunnies are out enjoying fresh green. Baby chicks are hatching. Flowers are blooming. The days are getting longer. It’s a good time to plant a garden or go on a nature walk or go hiking. Open the windows and let some spring air into your homes. Have a meal of fresh vegetables and fruits. Enjoy some artichokes or asparagus; so many delicious greens and sprouts. Spring onions. Strawberries. Cherries. I am getting hungry.

Another option... Try a springtime fast to cleanse your body of winter’s toxins.

Bring in some flowers from the garden. Roses are starting to bloom. The tulips and daffodils are coming out. Bring some in and let spring inside. It’s time to wear the colors of spring. Get your pink on, your lavender, your pastels.

It is a very powerful time for magic. Incense in floral aromas like lilac and rose can help. Or try a strawberry aroma.

For me, who had to work, I got outside as much as I could and filled my office with lavender incense. (I really love my job sometimes.)

For all the rest of you… Enjoy your day and enjoy your Spring! Spring is here!

Blessings!

A New Moon and A Constant Companion

I had to work today. Another price I pay for being a modern witch. But I am now sitting in my sanctuary, and contemplating my day. Enjoy this, the first new moon of the year.

Today I am using Rosemary and Mint oils in my aromatherapy. The smell is divine. Rosemary in magick goes back forever. Also called the Dew of the Sea it is said that it was draped around the Goddess Aphrodite when she arose from the sea. Also, it is said that the Virgin Mary spread her blue cloak over a rosemary bush, turning the flowers from white to blue. (Generally Rosemary has green leaves with flowers of white, pink, purple or blue.) You can use rosemary in love spells or at weddings. It has also been used in remembrance at funerals and memorial services.

Mint is another healing herb. Using it as I am in aromatherapy, it can help with nausea and is a smell associated with hospitality. Mint can also help with stomach aches. Spray a little mint oil around to keep away wasps, hornets, ants and roaches.

I keep a fountain near my work space. Simple rock waterfall. The sound is very soothing. Gibby, my familiar is directly under my feet. His fluff keeps my toes warm.

And that is what I would like to discuss today.

Animal familiars.

The concept of animal familiars goes back throughout the history of witchcraft. It was said that demons possessed small animals and were doing the bidding of their masters.

That is not what I mean.

Others have believed that fairies inhabit the bodies of small animals and help their human companions in life.

Perhaps.

I am talking about animals with whom you share a special connection. An animal you share an emotional and psychic bond. There are pets. And there are those special pets. You know the ones. Animals whose souls exist on your same plane of being.

Maybe they came to you unexpectedly. Maybe you went looking for them. You just know.

We have two in our house. One is mine. One is my daughters.

And just an FYI… We actually have a lot more than 2 pets. We currently have 3 dogs, two cats, 2 guinea pigs, a turtle and a fish.

But today we are only talking about familiars.

Like Gibby.

Right now he is looking at me because I put my foot on him.

There is just something about him. He is mine and I am his. No one else will do for him. I once went away for a few weeks for training and he moped around the whole time.

I swear he can understand me. I have never been able to teach a dog that many tricks. In such a short time. I have had dogs before, but Gibby is special.

My mom bought him for me on a whim. I was working at a pet store at the time. The other girls who worked there had these little stupid pocket dogs that they gushed over. Also, the owner of the store was a creepy old hag who thought teenagers were so cool. I just wanted to do my job and go home. I didn’t care about the teens. But the owner kept telling me I didn’t fit in. (Big surprise. I showed up on time and did what I was supposed to and didn’t waste time.) My mom was worried I would get fired and thought if I had a stupid little pocket dog, I might be able to have something in common with my teenaged coworkers. (FYI… didn’t work. That woman was a horrible person. Karma will get her.)

Gibs is not stupid. Nor is he worth gushing over. My grandpa named him Gibson after the baseball player Kirk Gibson. We call him Gibby. Or Gibs. He knows when he is being spoken to.

My oldest daughter has a familiar of her own, a cat named Muffins.

There is something about that cat. She is where ever my daughter is. She has the whole house to roam in and mostly is in my daughter’s bedroom. Sometimes I think that cat can read minds.

We had gone to the shelter to look for a cat. Our cat. It was missing. And Muffins picked us. I don’t even know how she did it. Carolynn told me that this cat picked us and we needed to take her home. She was serious about it. And so we got Muffins.

What are your thoughts? Do you have an animal familiar?

Is it as cute as ours?