Rites of Spring - Ostara

 

My sister, Lin, is a witch. No, you didn't misread that. She's a witch and her earth-centered group, a coven, if you will, met a couple of nights ago to celebrate Ostara, the return of Spring. Ostara aka Eastre or Ēostre in Old English was a pre-8th century German pagan goddess associated with the celebration of Easter. I'm always fascinated with the origins of traditional holidays. Though many holidays have been adopted into traditional religious calendars, their origins usually trace back to natural yearly occurrences. It only made sense for me to accompany her to the celebration. The historic UU church in Milton was a lovely venue for the evening meeting.

When we talk about witches here, we're not talking brooms, black magic and animal sacrifice. I've been to several Wiccan meetings with Lin over the years. They revolve around celebrating nature, especially the change of seasons. The Sun, the Moon, the directions of the compass, the elements of fire, water, air, fire and aether (spirit, that which unites them) ... these all play a major role in the ritual circle celebration. As an “unaffiliated” attendee, I find it fascinating to participate and I'm always welcomed into the circle.

Witchcraft got a bad rap along the way, I think. Historically, when certain phenomenon could not be explained or someone knew the uses and healing nature of herbs and plants, it was easy to label it witchcraft. Then, of course, if you could swim in the early 1600's, that was a sure sign of the presence of witchcraft. Hang 'em high, press them, drown them.

The ceremony consisted of the participants sitting in a circle. A simple altar was laid with wine, pussy willows and seeds sharing the main places of honor. There were readings about the myth of Demeter and Persephone, then some discussion of Spring as the season of renewal and rebirth. We planted seeds, symbolic of the season. We toasted with wine. We feasted. We enjoyed each other's company.

This was a fine way to welcome in the new season ... pagan or otherwise.

Days and Ways to Celebrate

A daily list of mostly obscure holidays and fun ways to celebrate them.

Eat Something on a Stick Day

Popsicle, yes! Corn dog, NO!

Valentine's Day 2013

 

Let me interrupt this sailing adventure for a little romance. I'm a hopeless romantic. I admit it. I love chick flicks where girl meets boy, a little conflict ensues, they work everything out, sail off into the sunset and live happily ever after. Why not? That's MY life! I don't need roses and chocolates, just give me the romance and I'm a happy girl.

A little background on Valentine's Day (because you know how I am). It all began as a liturgical celebration for a Christian priest named Valentinus who was martyred by the Romans for performing weddings and ministering to Christians. It was actually during the Middle Ages when the tradition of courtly love was at its height that the day became associated with romantic love. I read somewhere that Geoffrey Chaucer mentioned it first in one of his poems. (We English majors know important things like this.) It evolved into a day for lovers to express themselves through flowers and candy and especially cards which became known as valentines and then Hallmark got hold of it and the rest is history.

So, how do we celebrate the day aboard Nine of Cups? Well, it depends where we are. When we were anchored in a little cove in Patagonia, David whipped up a bead necklace as my valentine gift. I usually make something special for dinner … something David is particularly fond of. I'll make cupcakes with pink frosting; wear my red t-shirt … get in the spirit. If we have a bottle of champagne, we figure this is a good occasion to crack it open and celebrate love … just because we can.

Live a little...love a little. It does your heart good! I'll be humming “My Funny Valentine” all day.

Back on track tomorrow!

New Year's Resolutions

I always make New Year's Resolutions. Do you? Actually, the real question is, do you make New Year's Resolutions and keep them? The two biggest resolutions I've made and kept were to quit smoking (1989) and to write a daily blog post (2011). I've obviously forgotten and/or abandoned the rest. I looked into the history of New Year's resolutions … thank you, Wikipedia. It seems the idea of reflecting on the past year and making plans for the new year is nothing new. The Babylonians did it and so did the Romans. Medieval knights renewed their vows to chivalry at year's end. It's definitely a logical time to look at what you've done or didn't do during the past year and make some improvements. It's a time of new beginnings. Say goodbye to the old; let it go. Embrace the new.

Interesting, but not surprising, studies show that during the past century, the nature of resolutions has changed drastically. People used to resolve to better themselves in some intrinsic way: be more generous, be more cheerful, be more helpful to others, be more involved in community. Today folks tend towards more superficial and self-centered changes: better clothes, better body, better stuff, better job.

A low percentage of people actually keep their resolutions, but the percentage increases when 1) you share your resolution/goal with others; 2) set reasonable expectations and 3)set specific goals instead of broad ones, e.g. “exercise 30 minutes/day at least 3 times/week” versus “exercise more”. I also think writing down your goals and then reviewing those goals during the year help to reinforce your resolve and contribute to your success. Just the process of examining yourself and thinking about who you are and what you might want to improve is a positive action.

I found a blog that was very insightful in making resolutions. Lifehacker seems to provide a reasonable formula for making and keeping resolutions that improve your lifestyle. He looks at developing a preliminary plan, “a scaffolding”, he calls it, which sets you up for success.

So you haven't really given this much thought, but now you think it's a good idea? Start setting up the framework now and work into the resolutions. It doesn't have to start January 1st...it can start February 1st. Just set a specific date that you can work towards. It's never too late to start, but heck don't let it go another year. Goals are much easier to attain if you set them in the first place.

So … with that in mind, I give you my New Year's Resolutions 2013:

Get rid of the junk food on the boat and start eating healthier.

This is easier once we're at sea, but it's such a temptation when we have access to a supermarket regularly. I need to lose weight and I know it. Cutting down on the junk food intake will help considerably. Giving up that second glass of wine in the evenings might help, too, but I don't want to take this too far.

Walk / exercise at least ½ hour every day.

When I start writing each morning, I'm in “sit-down” mode for hours. My goal is to get up off my keister and do something … walking is one way to get some exercise at least ½ hour every day. While we're on passage, I'll figure out something else. I know that once exercise becomes a habit and a part of your life, it's much easier. Maybe every time I have the urge to grab a snack, I should go for a walk? My sister, Lin, is so good at this and so is Gentry (the blog mistress). I wish it was a genetic thing instead of requiring so much effort. Yeah, yeah. No pain... no gain.

Finish writing a book.

I have several books “in the works”. They've been “in the works” for a couple of years now, all in various stages of “unfinished”. It can be an e-book or a cookbook or a novel or a compilation of sailing stories. Anything...but I need to get one finished.

I might also add that if all else fails... January 17th is the official “Ditch Your New Year's Resolutions Day”. Just kidding.

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Days and Ways to Celebrate

A daily list of mostly obscure holidays and fun ways to celebrate them.

New Year's Day

...on the Gregorian calendar anyway. First day of the New Year and usually celebrated by recuperating from the festivities of the night before.

First Foot Day

First Foot is celebrated in several countries including Greece and Scotland. The first person to set foot in your home (or on your boat maybe?) after the stroke of midnight on New Year's is thought to bring good luck. It's not usually a resident family member and the person cannot be in the house at the stroke of midnight. The visitor usually brings some traditional gifts like bread, a coin and perhaps some whiskey or wine signifying that you'll have enough to eat, drink and spend for the upcoming year.

Start the First Foot tradition by spreading the word in advance and then visiting friends and neighbors with the traditional gifts to insure their good luck.