Ritual 15: Monday, April 9, 2007

Waning Moon

The Christian holiday Easter, celebrated yesterday, has its etymological roots entwined with Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess associated with Spring. Known in Germany by the name Ostara, this goddess was depicted in lore carrying a basket of colorful eggs and accompanied by her sacred companion, the rabbit. Rabbits and colored Eostre eggs... sound familiar?

Here's an interesting cross-cultural observation: both Mayan and Chinese mythology and art depict a rabbit in the moon. Tonight, we'll call on the rabbit in the moon as Ostara's companion.

Although Ostara was traditionally thought to bring you eggs, since it's the waning moon, a time for release, tonight we'll ask her take an egg.

As you might have guessed, you'll need an egg for this ritual. You'll also need a small strip of paper and something to write with.

Blow out the inside of a raw egg like so: Poke a small hole in both ends of the egg. A nail works well. Enlarge one of the ends slightly; this is the drainage hole. Blow against the smaller hole until the egg is empty. This could take a while. Use the egg yolk and white to cook with, perhaps for breakfast tomorrow. Wipe the egg off when you're done.

Create a little altar to this goddess of rebirth and renewal. A small colorful cloth and a wee vase of flowers will do the trick nicely. Set your empty egg on the altar. If you're feeling crafty you can decorate the egg to befit a goddess.

Contemplate your life for a moment. What gets in the way of your joy? If the gentle Ostara or her rabbit could swoop down from the moon and relieve you of some spiritual burden, what would it be?

You may want to journal about this for a bit or maybe something pops into your mind right away. When you feel you've "got it" (you know what that feels like), write it down on the little strip of paper. Roll your paper up and slip it into your empty egg.

Ask Ostara to take your egg and with it your burden.

Ostara, I surrender this care unto you.
In its place may joy blossom new.

Take yourself and the egg out for a walk. Leave your egg on the earth, tucked inside a bush, away from your home.

Keep your altar to Ostara until the flowers wilt. Add something sweet (perhaps some marked-down Easter candy?) as a thank-you gift.

After the ritual, share your experience in our community section.