The Wiccan spring equinox, also known as Ostara, is a significant celebration in the Wiccan calendar. It occurs around March 20th or 21st in the northern hemisphere and marks the arrival of spring. During this time, Wiccans celebrate the balance between light and darkness as the days become longer and the nights shorter. It is seen as a time of renewal, growth, and fertility in nature. The earth starts to awaken from its winter slumber, and new life begins to emerge. Ostara is often associated with themes of eggs, rabbits, and flowers.
Lit2Go: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
For she was sitting on the broad Kansas prairie, and just before her was the new farmhouse Uncle Henry built after the cyclone had carried away the old one. The Silver Shoes took but three steps, and then she stopped so suddenly that she rolled over upon the grass several times before she knew where she was.
Ostara is often associated with themes of eggs, rabbits, and flowers. These symbols symbolize fertility and the cycle of life. Many Wiccans participate in egg decorating rituals and incorporate these symbols into their ceremonies.
Glinda the Good Witch
W hen you think of the good witch Glinda, you most likely picture a woman with red hair, an enormous, frothy pink dress, and a truly impressive amount of sparkles. You probably think of bubbles and magic wands, and—let’s face it—a slightly cloying voice. This image of the character, depicted by Billie Burke in the famous 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, has been cemented in Western consciousness as much as her counterpart, the mean, green Wicked Witch of the West. If you’re a fan of Broadway, you might also think of a calculating popular girl named Galinda with a secretly good heart in the 2003 musical Wicked, by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, based loosely on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel.
But there’s a lot more to Glinda than these adaptations reveal. In L. Frank Baum’s original novels about the land of Oz (1900–20), Glinda is among the most powerful magic users there. One of her strongest gifts is the ability to control the weather (as hinted at in the 1939 film, when she summons snow to counteract the sleep of the poppies sent by the Wicked Witch of the West). She’s a wise ruler in her own right—of the country in the South of Oz, not the North—and she is a protector of Princess Ozma, the rightful ruler over all the countries of Oz. There are multiple allusions to her great age, though she consistently appears young. The red hair is there, but she’s usually described as wearing white, and she owns a workshop full of fascinating objects. (In fact, she’s a bit of a scientist!) One of those objects is the Great Book of Records that allows her to know everything that happens in Oz. While she is consistently called “good,” she is not averse to using her skills to threaten, coerce, and wage war when necessary. She even commands an army of all female soldiers.
Still, a witch that is, overall, shown to be an exceptionally good and kind character in a story was pretty revolutionary for the time that Baum was writing. Most of this characterization was due to the fact that the author modeled Glinda on his mother-in-law, Matilda Joslyn Gage. Gage, a suffragist and abolitionist, was—by all accounts—a formidable and impressive woman. She famously argued that the women called witches and burned at the stake were much more likely to have been doctors and scientists who threatened the status quo of men’s exclusivity in such positions. She believed that these women were branded as evil to prevent them from taking power away from men. The good witch was Baum’s tribute to her as a scientist and a sorceress.
And let’s not overlook the fact that setting Glinda up as a beautiful, kind, incredibly powerful witch probably scored Baum major points with his mother-in-law in reality!
In the books, it’s Glinda who most often saves the day. She is powerful, independent, and kind without being easy to take advantage of. She knows her own mind and makes her own choices. She is ruthless when she must be, though always in service of what she has determined to be the greater good. Her many years of rulership have meant that she has often pulled strings behind the scenes and shaped the world of Oz more than most know.
In 1852, Matilda Joslyn Gage gave a speech at the National Woman’s Rights Convention in which she argued passionately for the rights of women. She concluded with these words:
Work sows the seed:
Even the rock may yield its flower:
No lot so hard, but human power,
Exerted to one end and aim,
May conquer fate, and capture fame!
Press on!
Pause not in fear:
Preach no desponding, servile view—
What ever thou will’st thy will may do.
Work on, and win!
Shall light from nature’s depth arise,
And thou, whose mind can grasp the skies,
Sit down with fate, and idly rail!
No—onward! Let the Truth prevail!
Words for witches to live by, right?
Sara Cleto is a Ph.D. candidate in English and folklore at the Ohio State University. She also teaches courses on fairy tales, legends, and more at the Carterhaugh School of Folklore and the Fantastic (carterhaughschool.com). Her poetry and prose can be found in Liminality, Mythic Delirium, Uncanny Magazine, Goblin Fruit, Faerie Magazine, and many more. You can find her at saracleto.com.
She was both beautiful and young to their eyes. Her hair was a rich red in color and fell in flowing ringlets over her shoulders. Her dress was pure white but her eyes were blue, and they looked kindly upon the little girl.
The spring equinox is a time for Wiccans to connect with the energy of nature and attune themselves to the changing seasons. They may hold rituals outdoors, honoring the earth and the elements. It is also a time for new beginnings and setting intentions for the coming year. During Ostara, Wiccans may also perform spells or rituals geared towards personal growth, abundance, and manifestation. This is a time to plant metaphorical seeds for goals and aspirations, harnessing the energy of spring to support their manifestation. Overall, the Wiccan spring equinox is a joyous celebration of the turning of the seasons and the awakening of nature. It is a time to honor the balance of light and dark, and to embrace the energy of growth and renewal..
Reviews for "Celebrating Rebirth and Renewal: Wiccan Rituals for the Spring Equinox"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Wicca Spring Equinox". As someone who has studied Wicca for years, I felt that this book didn't accurately represent the beliefs and practices of the religion. The information was minimal and lacked depth, making it feel more like a beginner's guide rather than something that could provide more insight to experienced practitioners. Additionally, I found the writing style to be dull and repetitive, which made it hard to stay engaged with the material. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking to learn more about Wicca.
2. Michael - 1 star - I was extremely unimpressed with "Wicca Spring Equinox". The author seemed to have a very limited understanding of Wicca and its traditions, as the information provided was often incorrect or misleading. The book was filled with vague and generic statements that lacked any real substance. It felt more like a cash-grab attempt to capitalize on the popularity of Wicca rather than a genuine effort to educate readers. I would urge anyone interested in Wicca to look elsewhere for more accurate and informative resources.
3. Nicole - 2 stars - "Wicca Spring Equinox" was a huge letdown for me. The content felt disorganized and lacked cohesion, making it difficult to follow along and understand the concepts being presented. The author also seemed to have a heavy bias towards a specific branch of Wicca, which made the book feel one-sided and incomplete. The lack of proper citations and references was also a major drawback, as it left me questioning the reliability of the information provided. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a well-rounded exploration of Wicca's Spring Equinox celebrations.