Springtime

“Garden Song” by David Mallett

People all over the world cherish this time of year. They call Spring and its celebration by many names.

Ostern

Eostre

Ostara

Easter

Frühling (early)

Printemps(first time)

Primavera(first spring)

Ver(Spring)

Skoczcie

Весна

.بپر

Voorjaar(front year)

Vyehsnáh

Twice a year, the center of the Sun can be observed to be directly above the Earth's equator, once at the Vernal Equinox and again at the Autumnal Equinox.

It is merely a moment in time…

…a moment of great balance and

potential.

Springtimeis the time when the World

wakens from her restorative sleep,

and we must rise with her…

Springtime

…to care for her, and each other.

Many celebrate the coming of Spring by worshipping an aspect of the Goddess.

Venus of Willendorf

Eos

Eostre

Ostara

Aurora

Persephone Venus

Austron

While others celebrate the triumph over the grave.

Persephone’s escape from Hades in the Greek Underworld (painting by Rosetti)

The Crucifixion and Resurrection of

Jesus of Nazareth (painting by Velazquez)

Osiris, an ancient Egyptian God who died and was resurrected

Flowers which grow from bulbs are thought to “die” in the cold months, and be “reborn” in spring.

The Narcissus flower most commonly known as Daffodil is one of the first to bloom when the soil warms.

Ostara is a virgin Goddess of spring.

A variant of Persephone, she struggles to leave the Land of the Dead.

Life is renewed when she returns to the Living.

Easteris a Christian lunar festival that celebrates

the resurrection of the sun in the form of the Son of God, Jesus.

Easteris a Christian lunar festival that celebrates

the resurrection of the sun in the form of the Son of God, Jesus.

In the Christian tradition, Jesus is the sacrificial

lamb, slain so that humanity might be spared.

Easter combines the archtypical themes of Sacrificed King and Escape from the Underworld.

Jesus Appearing to the Magdalene by Fra Angelico

Spring Flowers, an Imperial Fabergé egg

The modern belief that eggs are delivered by a rabbit known as the Easter Bunny comes from the legend of the Germanic Goddess of Dawn,

Eostre.

So much did a lowly rabbit want to please the Goddess that he laid the sacred eggs in her honor, gaily decorated them, and humbly presented them to her.

So pleased was Eostre that she wished all humankind to share in her joy.

In honor of her wishes, the rabbit went through the entire world and distributed these little decorated gifts of life.

Springmeans to move

forward, to shoot up from where you are into a new, unexpected place…

Springreally happens every day.

Let it.

Let it.

Copyright 2008 by Reverend Su Windsong Leone. www.ladywindsong.com