Peace, Love, and Tea Leaves

Let's start this post with the pronunciation of  Lughnasadh. It's a hard word- especially if you're American or from any other country than it's origin. Lou-nah-sah Not an easy word to sound out, am I right?  BUT for the remainder of this post, I'll be using the term LAMMAS because it's easier to spell and I know a lot of people prefer this term because it's also easier to say. That being said, it is important to know the origin name for a number of reasons. Because are they really the same thing..? Yes and no.  Lughnasadh is the first harvest festival of the season. While it marks that Autumn is near, the hottest days of summer are still yet to come. This festival marks the halfway point between Autumn and Summer.  The first crops are being cut and harvested. Some are even left as Offerings to the God and Goddess to ensure a safe winter. Lammas roughly translates to Loaf-Mass and is referencing the first breads being baked from the first grain h...

Oh, how I love Ostara.  What is Ostara, you ask? Well, it's an ancient Germanic festival celebrating the arrival of spring, marking the spring equinox. It focuses on the balance of all things; the darkness and light. We have finally emerged from the dark part of the year and now it is time to celebrate! While Imbolc is the half way point between Winter and Spring, we have finally reached the crossing! IT IS SPRING! Symbols of Ostara include all things you'd see in nature around this time of year; fresh eggs, colorful flowers, rabbits. Of course sexuality is also included because what do we see in the spring time? Why, it's breeding season, of course! It's an exciting celebration; we're welcoming the return of the warmth of spring! FINALLY! But that doesn't necessarily mean we can't get some early spring snow flurries. Make sure you don't jump right in to starting that garden you're so excited about. Now would be the time to start your see...