Pages

"She seemed to come suddenly upon happiness as if she had surprised a butterfly in the Winter woods"
(edith wharton)


Sunday 23 September 2007

**~** SpRinG EquiNoX **~** & a gift-away !

...."a certain softness and warming of the air currents, even though it is still early morning, a tint of colour in the sky, a sky that no longer looks like a Winter Steel Grey, a slight difference in the shades of green of the plants and tree buds, a sharper more acid green. Birds that try just that little bit more joyously when singing the dawn chorus and in the distance the baaing of ewes waiting to lamb." ~ Daisy

~Knight

The Wheel turns again and with this turn comes the Spring Equinox or Eostara. Spring reaches its midpoint; night and day stand in perfect balance, with light on the increase, growing stronger everyday. A joyful time, when life bursts forth from the earth. A time of new life, of balance and harmony. A time of manifestation. We see shoots of new growth and swelling buds, energy builds as the days become warmer. Spring unfolds her golden daffodils, and the tufts of pussy willow fur the branches in the hedges

The actual Moment of the Spring Equinox this year here in Woodford, is at 7.51pm EST on the 23rd September. The first TRUE day of Springtide
a look into my garden ~ the ancient apple tree is once again promising a bumper crop, still fighting the borer. The lilac buds are starting to swell and the persimmon tree bursting forth in leaf! The little birds are having a joyful time with nature's bounty of seed & blossom - a true smorgasbord supplied by Mother Earth. The sparrows, the little finches, the bul-buls...all enjoying Spring today! The magpies, carolling: SPRING IS HERE!! A time when I know that I can plant my seeds and put in my vegetable seedlings with good faith - that Mother Earth will nurture them for me, with her warm sunshine and gentle spring showers.



The Goddess of the Spring Equinox is Ostara, who is accompanied by the Hare. Persephone the Goddess of Spring and the Green Man are also very predominate at this time of the year.

STONES - aquamarine, rose quartz, amethyst, jasper and moonstone
INCENSE - jasmine, frankincense, myrrh, dragon's blood, cinnamon, nutmeg, sage, lotus, violet flowers, orange peel, or rose petals.
COLOURS - Green, Yellow, Gold
HERBS AND FLOWERS - acorn, celandine, cinquefoil, crocus, daffodil, dogwood, Easter lily, honeysuckle, iris, jasmine, rose, strawberry, tansy and violets.
FOODS - include those made of seeds, such as sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds, as well as pine nuts. Sprouts are equally appropriate, as are leafy, green vegetables. Flower dishes such as stuffed nasturtiums or carnation cupcakes (Fake carnation cupcakes: make spice cupcakes. Frost with pink frosting and place a fresh carnation petal on top of each cupcake)eggs, honey cakes, first fruits of the season, fish, cakes, biscuits, cheeses, honey and ham. Spring Lamb with rosemary and red wine gravy. Drinks: wines, dandelion tea, hyssop cordial

*A traditional spring Equinox pastime is to go for a walk and randomly collect flowers. Rather than picking them, note what type of flowers they are. When you get home, divine their magical meaning by use of books, your own intuition, a pendulum or any other means. The flowers you have chosen reveal your inner thoughts and emotions. It is important at this time of renewed life to plan a walk through gardens, a park, woodlands, forest and other green places. This is not simply an exercise, and you should be on no other mission. It isn't even an appreciation of nature. Make your walk celebratory, a ritual for nature itself.

~ lucie lundberg

FOR THE FAERIES - At Ostara, it is customary to leave something sweet (honey, mead or candy) Perhaps a gift of sweets corresponds to the sweet nectar gathering in new spring flowers.
*it is believed that if the fairies are not honoured with gifts at these times, they will work mischief in our lives*.
Toss crushed eggshells into the garden and say:
’For fairy, for flowers, for herbs in the bowers, the shells pass fertility with springtime flowers’

This is the perfect time for spring-cleaning, literally and figuratively. This also allows the positive energies to flow, unblocked, throughout your home.
A house blessing should follow. Be creative as you think of ways to spiritually cleanse, protect and bless your home. Sage smudges and incense are great ways to purify and cleanse your house. After all the cleaning, you can hang Witch Balls or amulets and talismans in the windows, for good luck, protection or abundance for the coming year.

I usually do my spring-cleaning in October, after our spring school-break. I am going to make some amulet bags in readiness and also make my springtime bath salts...here is a link to the recipe on the Croning of Miss*R: Springtime Bath soak . Tomorrow afternoon, I am going to my Springtime ritual walk

for dinner tonight I am going to cook a roast lamb with red wine & lots of spring vegetables.. and a nice cup of dandelion root tea. Just Joe & I....

Our little grandbaby-to-come, is growing well - Louisa is now into her second trimester and truly glowing! The due date is mid March, so we could have a little Pisces/Aries cusp. I had a wonderful experience yesterday in my Dreamtime Treatment- once I digest it all, I will share it...a very spriritual experience.

There is a little Spring Equinox gift~away - just put your name down here and I will draw it mid week....

*~* May you be blessed with fertility, abundance, success, and all things new! ~*~

18 comments:

Kim Campbell said...

I can't wait to hear about your treatment!
BB
Kim

Anonymous said...

I love this Spring Equinox and Spring cleaning post! So much fabulous information in one sweet package.

Blessings galore on the new grandbabe on the way!!

With LoVe, MW

Julie said...

Robyn,

Will this be your first grandbaby? I am beginning to want to be a grandma already (Kristen is 25), but she must finish grad school first! Also, I'd prefer that she marry her boyfriend first, but I would still love a grandbaby.

Someone recently made a comment on your blog that you are like an Australian Edith Holden. Have you ever read the book? I have loved it for..must be at least 30 years now. You should write a book!

Our book club celebrated our official last day of summer (Saturday here) with a wonderful trip. Will post about it tomorrow. Travel tires me out!

Hugs,

Julie

Jule

Julie said...

P. S.

Please do not put my name in the giftaway. I did not make a comment for that. I just forgot. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED your package, but I want someone else to have a chance.

Hugs,

Julie

Gill said...

Happy Spring Equinox Robyn!!!
We celebrate the Autumnal version as we speak...
xo
Blue

Patty said...

Happy Spring to you. We are celebrating Mabon here..
Will you find out if the grandbaby is a boy or girl before it is born or will they wait and be surprised? Let us know.

Leanne said...

happy spring equinox robyn. lovely post, although for us here entering autumn is a few months away for u s to feel the joys of spring! Autumn has its beauty though, and i will enjoy that :-)

Do not include me either- as I was blessed with the gift the moonstone pendant


Leanne x

Bimbimbie said...

So pleased Spring has arrived in Woodford, "my" Hare has been daily getting more brazen, making itself known to me. Today it was moving around well after 9am. Spent most of today in the garden and wandering around looking at the new growth beginning to show on the tree trunks. You can almost hear the new growth breaking free. Spring Smiles *!*

Ruth said...

Spring/autumn equinox greetings to everyone. Oooo I'm excited - just got the bath soak recipe and can't wait to try it out.

Sheila said...

NOT here for the gift away, I already won a lovely one from you this year.xx
Fall is here today, & as your garden flourishes and grows ours are fading and getting ready to sleep.
The trees are turning colour and the birds are gathering, ready to begin their journey south to warmer climes.
I'm pleased to hear that Louisa is well, and I look forward to hearing about your Dreamtime treatment..!
hugs
xx

Sweetpea said...

I can just imagine my mum speakng those words at the top of the post! she was wonderful for describing things so well.
I can just taste that roast lamb hmmmmmmm!
Good to hear how LOuisa is doing.
Much Love xxx

mrsnesbitt said...

We had roast lamb last night. I cooked winter vegetables though! We also had red wine, but not as a sauce...infact I have a slight headache today! The blast on the motorbike was good though!Blew the cobwebs away! LOL!

peppylady (Dora) said...

I was going to say Happy Mabon to you but since your south of the equator so Happy Spring.
Sound like everything is coming long nicely.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful post Ms Robyn as we are getting ready to nest for a long winter here. AND you are going to be a grandmother WOWZIE what a great time in your life.
I'm happy for you
ANg

Lila Rostenberg said...

Just coming by to say "Hi!"
Glad to hear your Louisa is doing well with the pregnancy!
My little Scorpio grandson will be here soon now! I have just found a pattern for an airplane quilt for him. (His father works in aviation!)
The bath soak will be a real treat!
Off to read the recipe!

Tracy said...

Happy Spring greetings to you, Robyn. How wonderful about the new expected grandbaby! My sister had her second baby (a girl) Saturday and she was so sweet. :)

Anonymous said...

Wishing you a lovely, warm and wonderful spring, dear Robyn! xox

J C said...

Wouldn't it be nice if we could have Spring all year? Thank you for the blessings. Back atcha! xoxoxo