Ostara "Pick 3" Altar Item Swap

Greetings Sisters! The Spring Equinox is closer than you think, so let's start gathering items to get our beautiful Ostara altars ready! Creating altars are one of my favorite things to do; the process is so therapeutic in that it allows you to express your own personal style and connect with the Earth while gathering your natural items. Whether you create an altar to worship the Goddess and God, or simply prepare a working area (non-deity) to call on the Elements, putting an altar together is one of the most intimate things you can do.

Here is some knowledge about Ostara for those of you still learning the Sabbats/Holidays: (skip to bottom for swap requirements)

~~The Spring Equinox – Eostre, March 20-22 (date may vary)~~

As an equinox holiday, Eostre (Oestre) symbolizes balance. At this equinox, the days are balanced in dark and light. After this day, the days will be longer than the nights until the Autumn Equinox half a year away. Springtime contains divine energy associated with new beginnings, it’s an opportunity to embrace our fertility magic, and develop new concepts that will reshape our future. Ēostre (Ostara), a Germanic goddess (a goddess of the dawn), gives her name as an alternate one for Easter and the sabbat and many witches invoke her at this time. She heralds the triumphant return of life and growth to the Earth. It is from her name that the word “Easter” has derived. Those who choose to honor Eostre place their altars facing east. The Christian church transformed the Pagan festival into a time to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. The Hare (rabbit) is one of the 12 Gods & Goddess’s totem animal. It represents the corn spirit and the 2 equinoxes and is associated with re-birth, fertility and abundance. It is considered a powerful shape shifter and in Christian times this earned the Hare it’s reputation as a demon in disguise and was therefore debased into the Easter Bunny. Eggs are a Pagan tradition that symbolize re-birth and fertility, dyed eggs were colored brightly to represent the Spring sun as offerings to the Goddess.

For this swap, you will have one partner. You must pick 3 items from the list below, WRAP them and send them to your partner. You may send any 3 items, but please be mindful of your partners dislikes and/or allergies (if stated). Only send quality items you would love to receive. And please make sure you package your items well so they don't break on their travels. :)

~TWO (for balance) Ostara recipes printed nicely on a recipe/index card.

~Incense (Jasmine is the most used for Ostara, but not necessary).

~A pillar or taper candle (preferably pastel, but not necessary).

~A handmade/hand-poured herb/flower tea-light candle.

~Ostara herbs, such as [ lily of the valley, tansy, lavender, marjoram, thyme, tarragon, lilac, violets, lemon balm, dogwood, honeysuckle, oakmoss, sunflower seeds, rose hips, elder, willow, daffodil, tulip, meadowsweet, vervain, etc...]

~Crystals or gemstones, such as [clear quartz, rose quartz, agate, lapis, amazonite, garnet, aquamarine, moonstone, etc...]

~Any handmade artwork with symbols for the [ Fertility God, the Goddess, the Sun God, unity, fire, water, agriculture, prosperity and growth, strength and wisdom, spring, love and affection, and protection, etc...]

~A store-bought or handmade athame, wand or herbal/working knife.

~Any herbal tea (TWO servings for balance).

~TWO spells/rituals for Ostara

~A Yin/Yang (balance) symbol or a Pentagram (store-bought or handmade).

~An altar cloth or mat in Spring colors.

~Pressed flowers or bulbs.

~Any statue or figurine representing or devoting to the Goddess or God (rabbit, baby animals, handmade dolls, etc.).

This is a fairly big swap, so please do not join it if you cannot commit to sending quality items to your partner, ON TIME. You have almost an entire month to prepare and mail this swap. I stress sending on time even more so in these kinds of swaps because the swap items are being used by your partner to celebrate the holiday. Late Sabbat swaps= no use for your partner. Flaking will result in your immediate removal from the group, Message the group founder @Tiffaknee with any questions/comments/concerns. Have fun!

Please message me for an international version.