Ostara Ritual

Posted on March 18, 2024 by David Taliesin

This is the closing ritual we used at last night’s Welcoming Circle. Enjoy!

CASTING THE CIRCLE—David Taliesin

Light the green candle and say:

Ostara is upon us and Easter is before us,
And spring has just begun.
Baby plants are emerging from winter’s soil.
Dandelion, chickweed and nettle
Provide nourishment for our bodies.

Spring is a season to consider
What things we would like to grow
In the garden of our lives.
It’s a time to plant and nurture
New projects and new goals.

May the greening of spring
Be our source of inspiration tonight!

Light the yellow candle and say:

Spring is a season where the days grow longer
And the sun feels warm against our skin.
Our focus shifts from indoors to outdoors
As we awake from winter’s hibernation.

We garden. We hike in the woods.
The little child that lives in us
Asks us to come out and play…
And we accept the invitation.

May the sun’s golden rays
Be our source of inspiration tonight!

Light the purple candle and say:

Spring is a season where the Divine
Breathes new life into us,
Waking us up from winter doldrums,
And filling us with creative energy.

We awaken to wonder, miracle, and mystery.
We see bold visions and dream dreams of new adventures
That fill us with vitality and purpose.
May the Divine’s energetic presence
Be our source of inspiration tonight!

Take the crystal athame and cast the circle, while saying:

We cast this circle and create
a sacred space for us to dwell.
May it protect us from all spirits and powers
that seek to do us harm. So mote it be!

CALLING THE QUARTERS—David Taliesin

Guardians and Ancestors of the East,
Spirits of Air,
You blow through our lives like a warm spring breeze
Whispering into our ears the mysteries of the universe.
Lend your wisdom and insight to us tonight.
Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the South,
Spirits of Fire,
You illumine our path like the rays of the sun,
Showing us the way forward.
Lend your guidance and clarity to us tonight.
Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the West,
Spirits of Water,
You nourish our spirits like a gentle rain,
Filling us with peace, love and gratitude.
Lend your compassion and shalom to us tonight.
Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the North,
Spirits of Earth,
You cause new growth to germinate in us,
And give us a firm foundation to stand upon.
Lend your stability and strength to us tonight.
Hail and welcome!

Great Spirit, Divine Presence,
Who is known to us by many names,
You are the power of rebirth and regeneration
You are the promise that spring will come
After the winter seasons of our lives.
Bless us and be with us tonight.
We are honored by your presence.
Hail and welcome!

SETTING SPRING INTENTIONS—David Taliesin

The egg is a symbol of fertility and new life which were decorated in days of old to honor the Goddess. Tonight I ask that you take one of the plastic eggs in the basket and hold it in your hands. Take some time in silence to think about the things you would like to give birth to this spring. In order to birth something new, part of your intention may be to let something go. When your vision for what you would like to accomplish is clear, take a pen and as many strips of paper as you need. Write your intentions on theses strips of paper and place them in the egg. (Pause until everyone is done.)

Now we will raise energy to empower the intentions that are contained in our eggs. We’ll use the Om-ah…..Now direct the energy into your egg. One, two, three, release.

After our ritual is over, I ask that you take these home with you and place them in a prominent place in your home such as an altar. Periodically open the egg and take a look at the intentions you’ve made tonight. See how well you are doing in fulfilling them.

BLESSING FOR SETTING INTENTIONS—adapted. LLewellyn’s Sabbat Essentials

Great Spirit, Divine Presence,
Giver of life and Creator of all things,
life has many twists and turns
and now we embark on a new path
We are afraid to travel alone.

We ask for your guidance,
and your loving helping hand
to support us along the way.

We ask that when needed
you will lead us in the right direction
and steer us away from wrong turns.

Help us to keep on the path
and to not stray away even when we’re tempted.
Assist us in moving forward, and not in reverse.
Comfort us when needed.

Bless our paths and the journeys we undertake.
Encourage us in times of self-doubt.
Protect us from those willing to harm us,
even if it is ourselves.

Embrace us in your loving arms, to give us peace
and surround us in perfect love and perfect trust.
So mote it be! Amen!

CLOSING THE CIRCLE—David Taliesin

Great Spirit, Divine Presence,
We thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
We thank you that you walk with us
Every step fo the way as we leave this place
And go out into a world that is sometimes
Cruel and unforgiving.
Stay if you will. go if you must.
We bid you farewell!

Guardians and Ancestors of the North,
Spirits of Earth,
We thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
May your stability and strength travel with us
As we leave this place.
Stay if you will. go if you must!
We bid you farewell!

Guardians and Ancestors of the West,
Spirits of Water,
We thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
May your compassion and shalom travel with us
As we leave this place.
Stay if you will, go if you must.
We bid you farewell!

Guardians and Ancestors of the South,
Spirits of Fire,
We thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
May your guidance and clarity travel with us
As we leave this place.
Stay if you will, go if you must.
We bid you farewell!

Guardians and Ancestors of the East,
Spirits of Air,
We thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
May your wisdom and insight travel with us
As we leave this place.
Stay if you will, go if you must.
We bid you farewell!

The circle is open but never unbroken
Because it is a circle woven in love.
Whatever energy is left in this space
We return to the earth with a spirit of gratitude.
Merry meet and merry part, and merry meet again.

Sections cited as written by David Taliesin ©2024, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com

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Ostara Seed Bombs

Posted on March 16, 2024 by David Taliesin
seedbomb

At an Ostara celebration I attended several years ago, one of the rituals we did was make seed bombs. [Google it] Participants were given a small plastic baggie into which we scooped a big tablespoonful of red clay dirt that had carrot, radish and kale seeds mixed in it. We watered the dirt with a garden mister and used the bag to form it into a ball. We were then told to let these balls harden for about 24 hours.

Participants were encouraged to toss their ball onto any patch of ground that needed something to grow on it. Suggestions were made such as an abandoned lot, a park, etc. The idea is that once the seeds germinated there would be food produced for animals and humans to eat. I thought it was a creative idea.

Seed bombs could also be used for Earth Day celebrations. I would be inclined to mix native wildflower seeds into the dirt to add a little color to your neighborhood as well as provide a source of pollen for bees and butterflies. It’s a cool idea rich with symbolism and meaning. It’s also a creative way to love our planet. Happy Ostara everyone!

Copyright ©2024 by David Taliesin, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com

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Ostara: Balance and Growth

Posted on March 15, 2024 by David Taliesin

This coming Tue, Mar 19, 2024, 11:06 PM, is the Pagan Sabbat of Ostara which is always celebrated on the vernal equinox. Since we have equal hours of sunlight and moonlight on Ostara, it’s an opportunity to celebrate the balance of all things: male and female, physical and spiritual, life and death, thought and action, etc. It’s also an opportunity to take a critical look at ourselves and ask the question “What in my life is out of balance?” If you can’t think of something, you’re not thinking hard enough! Everyone has something in their lives that’s “not quite right.” Ostara is the perfect opportunity to plant “seeds of intention” that will help us to grow and draw closer to the Divine.

I think Jesus had this in mind when he said, “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.” (Mt 7:7, Lk 11:9) Many Christians misunderstand the intention of this saying. It’s often interpreted as “God will give me what I want…if I pray hard enough and believe it will happen,” That’s ridiculous! It makes us sound like whiny children who throw a temper tantrum until we get what we want. It also make the Divine look like an over-indulgent Santa Claus who will do anything for us, as long as we stop crying! Talk about being out of balance!

Thankfully, if we read a little farther, Jesus clarifies the meaning of this saying, “Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake?” (Mt 7:9-10, Lk 11:11-13) In other words, the Divine desires to give us what we need, not what we want. The Holy One wants to place in our hands the tools we need to help us to mature and be more in harmony with nature, others and the Sacred. If we ask and search for this kind of Truth and Knowledge, it will be given to us. Guaranteed!

So Happy Ostara!. May the seeds of intention we plant this Holy Season, sprout from the earth of our lives, and grow into beautiful spiritual herbs, gorgeous emotional flowers, and a more balanced life. So mote it be!

Copyright ©2024 by David Taliesin, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com

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Brigid’s Garden: Brigid the Healer

Posted on March 14, 2024 by David Taliesin

Station Four: Brigid the Healer

[Stones: sodalite or blue kyanite]

Here is the fourth prayer/contemplation station in Brigid’s Garden. I’ll post the rest as I write them. The final document will include an introduction, invocations and all five stations plus the “healing well.” I’m not going to rush this project so be patient. I promise it will be worth the wait. You can choose how to do each station. You can do as many as you like. It’s totally up to you!

For a PDF of station one click HERE

Blessed be! David Taliesin

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Brigid’s Garden: Brigid the Hearth-Woman, Brigid the Flame Keeper

Posted on March 7, 2024 by David Taliesin

Station Two: Brigid the Hearth-Woman/Brigid the Flame Keeper

[Stones: red jasper or carnelian]

Here is the third prayer/contemplation station in Brigid’s Garden. I’ll post the rest as I write them. The final document will include an introduction, invocations and all five stations plus the “healing well.” I’m not going to rush this project so be patient. I promise it will be worth the wait. You can choose how to do each station. You can do as many as you like. It’s totally up to you!

For a PDF of station one, click HERE

Blessed be! David Taliesin

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Mini Ogham Staves

Posted on March 5, 2024 by David Taliesin

Yesterday the most perfectly wonderful package arrived on my doorstep. I just started studying Ogham in honor of my Irish heritage and out of interest as a divination tool. I came across Susan James on Etsy who is the owner of Speckled Wood Crafts. She lives in England and makes these beautiful staves from the native trees there. To say I am thrilled with the purchase would be an understatement. As I opened the package and held the individual staves in my hands, I could feel the love that went into crafting them. They arrived surprisingly fast considering they were shipped from England. I had looked at a number of sets of Ogham staves before ordering these but felt really drawn to this particular set. The rave reviews on her Etsy shop are well deserved. If you’re looking for a set of these, I cannot think of a more beautiful set to own. Here’s the link to her Etsy shop. The set I ordered are the Mini Celtic Tree Ogham Staves.

Blessed be! David Taliesin

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Brigid’s Garden: Brigid the Peacemaker

Posted on February 26, 2024 by David Taliesin

Station Two: Brigid the Peacemaker

[Stones: lepidolite or amethyst]

Here is the second prayer/contemplation station in Brigid’s Garden. I’ll post the rest as I write them. The final document will include an introduction, invocations and all five stations plus the “healing well.” I’m not going to rush this project so be patient. I promise it will be worth the wait. You can choose how to do each station. You can do as many as you like. It’s totally up to you!

For a PDF of station one, click HERE

Blessed be! David Taliesin

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February: Cougar Moon

Posted on February 23, 2024 by David Taliesin
cougarmoon

The February full moon (February 24th) goes by many names such as Cougar Moon, Snow Moon (Native Americans), Moon of the Seer, and Quickening Moon. Typically, winter snows are the heaviest in February and the scarcity of food favors solitary hunters such as the cougar. Feb 27th is a good night to contemplate the energies the Cougar brings into our lives.

According to Jamie Sams and David Carson’s excellent book Medicine Cards, “By observing the graceful pounce of Mountain Lion/Cougar you will learn how to balance power, intention, physical strength, and grace.  This relates, in human terms, to the balance of body, mind, and spirit.” Cougar energy also speaks of the times in our lives when we need to step out as leaders/pioneers without any followers behind us.

So go outside if it’s a clear night. Light a candle inside if it’s not. Then spend some time asking yourself if there are any imbalances in your life at the present moment and strategize what it would take to right them. You might also want to contemplate if the Divine Presence is asking you to have the courage to step out and lead. Is the Cougar calling you to pounce on an opportunity that has been in your field of vision for a while? Only you can answer this question!

Copyright ©2024 by David Taliesin, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com

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Brigid’s Garden: Brigid of the Land

Posted on February 20, 2024 by David Taliesin

Brigid’s Garden

Station One: Brigid of the Land, Brigid the Earth-Woman

[Stones: moss agate or green opal]

Here is the first prayer/contemplation station in Brigid’s Garden. I’ll post the rest as I write them. The final document will include an introduction, invocations and all five stations plus the “healing well.” I’m not going to rush this project so be patient. I promise it will be worth the wait. You can choose how to do each station. For station one, I have two separate paths to embark on that include a story, a prayer, and questions for contemplation. You can do as many as you like. It’s totally up to you!

For a PDF of station one, click HERE

Blessed be! David Taliesin

Posted in Brigid, Creation Spirituality, Goddess, Imbolc, Prayer, Spirituality | 1 Comment

Brigid’s Garden

Posted on February 13, 2024 by David Taliesin

Recently, I’ve been reading Lunaea Weatherstone’s delightful book Tending Brigid’s Flame. It was there that I discovered an experience that tickled my imagination: “At Solas Bhríde in Kildare, the Brigidine Sisters have created a pilgrimage walk with five stones. At each of the stones an aspect of Brigid is honored and prayers are offered. The Solas Bríde walk culminates at Brigid’s well. Create your own walk that leads to a place of contemplation in your garden or a circular walk that can be done repeatedly.”

So, I’m working on a miniature version of this pilgrimage that can be placed on a home altar since most of us will never get to journey to Kildare. Stay tuned and I’ll begin posting stations of this walk as they are written. I will make the final form available as a free PDF booklet. I feel led by Brigid to create this devotional journey for everyone to enjoy. I have not been able to stop thinking about it which is always a good sign! May Brigid guide my creative journey.

Blessed be! David Taliesin

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