Ostara, The Budding Moon, and Spring\’s Advance: Delivery 3

I have to start this month\’s post with a heartfelt \”thank you.\” The popularity of this subscription had me hopping to fill orders. Two fierce and beautiful friends stepped in to make it happen. Thank you, Jen and Becca, for getting down in the weeds with me – literally and figuratively. Beloveds, these deliveries wouldn\’t be in your hand without them. Photo credit: \”Staff Meeting!\”, Becca Ives.

Welcome to the third delivery from the Witch’s Garden. Under the Pink Moon, your subscription will contain items related to Ostara, early flowers, and the awakening world. Spring is perking along and our fields are filled with medicine and beauty. Come take a little walk through the meadow, and hear the three of us laughing in the Circle garden as we collect the sweet and tiny first harvests of spring.

Reminders:

• Please bring back your cloth bags with the name tag attached, so we know that you returned your bag. Each customer gets two bags for the year – one to pick up full of goodies, and one to return empty so that we can refill it for you next month. The cycle continues until the end of the year, when you can choose whether to keep both bags, one bag, or return them both for us to recycle next year.
• We will also re-use any glass or packing materials you return. Please help us keep costs down by letting us reuse as much as possible.
• If you haven\’t yet, please fill out this survey to let me know what you thought of the Crow Moon delivery!
• If you have any trouble with the form, the blog, or the website, please let us know so that we can iron out any kinks.

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Ostara and The Spring Equinox

Our second stop on the Wheel of the Year, the Spring Equinox has been acknowledged by cultures, traditions, and religions the world over. In many Wiccan/Pagan traditions, Ostara is celebrated at or near this time, a conflation made by Christian expansion into \”Easter\”, the spring celebration of Jesus\’ rebirth, also involving eggs delivered by a bunny – but more on that in a minute.

The Christian holiday of Easter, ending the Lenten season and celebrated as the anniversary of the resurrection of Jesus is, strangely, a moveable feast. Rather than occurring on the same calendar day each year, its date is calculated as the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox. Last year, that was the 17th of the month. This year, Easter Sunday will fall on the 9th.

The reasons for this mix of lunar (animist/pagan) and Christian (Sunday holy day) tradition are probably complex, an interaction of multiple influences as Christianity spread. But whether you call it Easter or Ostara, whether you celebrate on the day of the Equinox or on Easter Sunday, we all feel it in our bones as a celebration of the return of life and spring brightness returning after the stark winter. The winter world is waking up again.

Alchemy and Spring Insight

After the depths of winter, the fields around us fill with herbs that are tonics and toners, revitalizers of the body and organs – antidotes to the sluggishness of winter. Early herbs help us move lymph, thin mucous, tone tissues, and promote quick and effective healing.

Violet in particular is a gentle and powerful spring \”mover and shaker\”. It\’s also highly sensitive to pH, making it a lovely color-changing chameleon. Take a look at your violet bath salts. We made 3 batches with nothing but epsom salt and violet flowers. To two of those batches we added varying amounts of lemon juice. The plain violet and salts with a little water created a beautiful pastel green hue. A little lemon juice mixed with water added a lovely violet, and the juice of a whole lemon combined produced a vibrant pink. Same base, with a different amount of pep – entirely different result.

These small chemical changes result in a drastically obvious difference in end product. There is a magickal correspondence here. Consider how small changes can have big results elsewhere in our lives – both externally, as when we drink more water, make an effort to nurture a relationship, or practice for good sleep hygiene; and internally, as when we take the time to meditate, study our craft, or focus on shadow-work and self growth.

The Budding Moon

In our area, this moon is a time when flowers become abundant. On the farm, our apple trees and blueberries are budding and tiny wildflowers are in full bloom. Shepherd\’s Purse, ever ripening, is in various stages between bud and seed. This moon is also known as the Pink Moon, and there is deep symbolism here.

First, this is a time when animals \”quicken\” and may begin spring mating – thus the association with pink and fertility, often related to sexuality, and particularly to women and womens\’ sexuality. Second, our metabolism and vitality may improve as we move more and shake off the semi-hibernation of winter\’s cold and wet. Our skin may flush with a healthy glow as we wake up, use our herbs to help move toxins from the body, and heal stagnant winter injuries. And third, this is a time of pink flowers, especially in west TN. Some parts of the country have pink phlox or moss pink, early flowering species in brilliant pink. For us, \”Purple\” or \”Red\” Dead Nettle is, when viewed closely, a pink-blooming flower. The same with henbit. It\’s the integration of the thousands of pink blooms and red coloring of the tips that creates the illusion of purple fields from a distance. Our pink apple blossoms are just now budding, and the small purplish-pink ground ivy, or \”creeping charlie\” is *everywhere* underfoot. The Pink Moon earns its name.

The Celtic Tree Calendar

A tradition of some Celtic pagan paths, most likely arising in the 1800s but based on the historically ancient ogham writing system, relates a tree species to each lunar month. This month’s lunar correspondence is with the Ash. Because of the early delivery we\’re still in Ash\’s season. Keep your ash pentacle on your altar through this lunar cycle, and we\’ll return to the Tree Calendar with the next box.

Springtime Correspondences

As the world awakens, animal wombs quicken, and the fertility of Mother Earth is on full display, it\’s not surprising that symbols of the season include eggs and rabbits. Eggs – symbols of potential, of new life and the building blocks of life, of health. Rabbits – symbols of fertility, adaptability, cleverness, and change. But these are pagan correspondences, mapped onto a Christian holiday that is also a celebration of life. The Easter Bunny and his deliveries? Probably, in some form or another, older than the historical Christ.

Your Items

So what’s in the box?

This month\’s box includes, from top left clockwise: \”Fairy Vinegar\” – violet flower and leaf, henbit, dead nettle, dandelion petal in apple cider vinegar; fresh herbs: chocolate mint, hairy cress, violet leaf, shepherd\’s purse, mustard tops, and apple mint. In the center are, from left to right, an \”easter egg\” candle – beeswax, dried herbs, spirulina, lemon essential oil; a wire birds\’ nest charm – glass beads and copper or tinned copper wire; chickweed oil – chickweed and olive oil, steeped for a month an strained; and bath salts – epsom salt, violet flower, and lemon juice.

Instead of the fresh herbs, mailed subscriptions received a dried herbal blend as a free gift – dried chocolate mint, wild bergamot (bee balm), apple mint, violet leaf and flower, and dandelion blossom. Use as an incense, scatter on your altar, use in magickal workings, or make a tea. This one would be good sweetened with honey, or with a few cardamom pods added to balance flavors. Violet and mints are lovely complementary herbs that care for spring sore throats and inflammation as the body flushes itself out.

\”Fairy Vinegar\” – This is our take on Juliet Blankenspoor\’s \”Springtime Fairy Vinegar\”.  Ours contains violet flower and leaf, henbit, dead nettle, dandelion petal in apple cider vinegar. According to

Blankenspoor, these herbs together are anti-inflammatory, filled with minerals and herbs traditionally known as \”blood cleansers\” and diuretics, excellent for rheumatological conditions, pain disorders, and springtime immune system support. If you have medical conditions, especially if you are on medications, please consult a doctor before beginning any herbal regimen. In general, these herbs are considered mild \”pot herbs\” or kitchen herbs, safe to eat in reasonable portions.

Chocolate Mint – a beautiful mint with red-brown edges and a deep green core, chocolate mint is known for reducing flatulence, calming nausea, improving the breath, and energizing the body. Correspondences include abundance, fertility, and communication, according to The Infinite Succulent.

Hairy Cress – also known as hairy bittercress, the leaves of this herb are actually rather sweet. The flavor becomes more peppery and intense as seed pods form, but is not unpleasant. An excellent addition for flavor and color in a salad, hairy cress (we\’ve called it \”hairy chest\” so many times over the last few days) is an antioxidant and vitamin-C loaded powerhouse that is known as an immune booster and potential cancer fighter, according to Homesteading.com.

Violet Leaf – Violet leaves are edible and make a pleasant component in a salad, though according to The Herbal Academy, \”violet flowers are to eat, violet leaves are to drink.\” Their post includes a range of powerful uses for violet, both leaf and flower. Green Man Meadows relates the violet with love, with healing, and with youth.

Shepherd\’s Purse – Shepherd\’s Purse or \”Mother\’s Heart\” is a vasoconstrictor. It can help adjust high or low blood pressure, stem bleeding, ease diarrhea, and potentially bring on uterine contractions. It should be avoided during pregnancy but can be used afterward to help control bleeding and stimulate healing. According to AromaG\’s Botanica, Shepherd\’s Purse symbolizes fortitude and strength. It can protect against injury and be used with bay, cinnamon, and juniper for prosperity.

Mustard Tops – it\’s standard in gardening circles to use the leaves of the mustard plant as a winter greens crop and then remove the plants when they start to \”bolt\”, or flower from an upright stalk. The large leaves of the mustard get an increasingly spicy and pungent flavor as they age. But we\’ve made soups this spring from dead nettle, henbit, and chickweed with nothing but mustard tops, lemon, salt and pepper for flavoring, and been very pleasantly surprised at the result. The green, \”broccoli-esque\” tops are buds that haven\’t yet flowered, and have a mild, slightly peppery flavor. The flowers and even stems can be saute\’d or simmered and add both volume and sweetness to a recipe.  The mild, small leaves along the stem still have a pleasant flavor. Try them out and see what you think. This is a useful pot-herb for the kitchen witch\’s repertoire. Both wild and cultivated mustards are common in the south, and some of the best parts are tending to go to waste!

Apple Mint – This sweet, hairy mint has a slight smell of \”Granny Smith\” apple about it. A big, cheery plant that dwarfs many of its early spring companion, this mint is delicious fresh or dried, in everything from teas to sweets to salad. This mint shines wherever you put it, working well with any pairings without stealing the show. We can learn from that.

Wire Birds\’ Nest Charm – handmade of glass beads and copper or tinned copper wire; a symbol of spring. Place on your altar, or bless at Ostara or Easter and carry it with you as a springtime charm. Thanks to Becca for helping me make all of these!

\”Easter Egg\” Candle – beeswax, dried herbs, spirulina, lemon essential oil; a symbol of fertility and the kindling of new life. Use in your Ostara/Easter ritual or at the full moon to celebrate spring. March may still be partially lionesque, but we\’ve made it through the winter dark and into the springtime tide. Thanks to Becca, who came up with the craft idea for these and the nest charms – and without

whom the lemon scent and glittery look wouldn\’t exist – and for getting into the trenches with me and figuring these babies out!

Chickweed Oil – chickweed and olive oil, steeped for a month and then strained; thanks to Jen for diving in and helping with everything from straining to making them beautiful. Without her, all these gorgeous labels, presentations, and packaging would have looked more… well. Like they did last month.

Bath Salts – epsom salt, violet flower, and lemon juice. Blend these symbols of flowery youth and earth with water for a bath that celebrates spring.

Using Your Items

The items in your box are yours to do with as you please. I don’t put together “spell kits” or provide rituals for you – you have your own path to walk, and I have mine. Instead I try to provide you with items to use in your own practice, sharing some of my own plans and ideas as inspiration. Legalese, because it’s an important thing sometimes: By using these items, you acknowledge that YOU are responsible for any and all outcomes, including any allergic reactions, and not me or The Witch’s Garden. Know thyself, witch.

A few suggestions for using your items:

Create a self-care or ritual experience for yourself or someone you love by mixing some of the chickweed oil into your bath salts to create a salt scrub. If you  like, add the dried herbs you\’ll find in the container with your egg candle. Oils and herbs can leave a mess in the tub. For some of us, that\’s worth it for the way we feel and a little oil in the cleanup seems minimal. For others, it\’s a pain and not worth using the scrub. For that reason, we\’ve kept the oils, herbs, and salts separate this month. If you want a pleasant bath with the skin-rejuvenating benefits of violet without the herbs and oils, just mix your bath salts into a tub of warm water and enjoy.

Set up a spring alter with your Pink Moon items. You might use your candle as a fire symbol, the bath salts for earth, the fairy vinegar for air, and a small bowl of clean water for the water element.

Conduct a ritual for yourself or your loved one(s). Place the nest charm at the center of your altar and sprinkle fresh or dried herbs on your altar. Touch a drop of the vinegar to your forehead and to the charm, then the salts, then the water, and then pass your charm and hand above the candle flame (use common sense and don\’t burn yourself). Ask for springtime blessings, for guidance, or for another intention that seems to fit the season and the moon\’s phase. Consider making a drink with a teaspoon of the vinegar and a cup of water for yourself to drink as part of the blessing. Then make up your salt scrub, pour your blessed water into a bathtub, set the candle and your charm by the bath, and scrub away your winter cares. Carry or wear the charm with you for a set amount of time, say until May Day on May 1, to bring about the desired intention.

Happy Ostara, beloveds. May you find awakening under the Pink Moon, as trees leaf out and fields are filled with wild herbs ready for spring harvests. Enjoy cool mornings, warming days, and rain on the roof at night. Breathe in the freshness of the air and the fragrance of early flowers. Blessed Be.

-Elm