Wiccan spring equinox, also known as Ostara, is a significant festival celebrated by Wiccans and Pagans around the world. It is one of the eight Sabbats on the Wheel of the Year and marks the transition from the dark half to the light half of the year. Ostara is typically observed on March 20th or 21st in the Northern Hemisphere, depending on the astronomical event of the spring equinox. This is the time when the day and night are of equal length, symbolizing balance and harmony. It is a time of renewal, growth, and new beginnings. Wiccans believe that during Ostara, the Goddess and God, who represent fertility and the cycles of nature, are in their youth and preparing for their union.
Even representatives from the Cleveland Browns are befuddled as to the exact origin, date, and key figures in the creation of the logo (which made its first appearance in an ad for tickets to the 1946 opening game against the Miami Seahawks). However, many of the earliest versions of the elf are credited to Dick Dugan, who became the sports cartoonist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and often depicted Brownie in battle against the team's opponents, like the Broncos.
However, many of the earliest versions of the elf are credited to Dick Dugan, who became the sports cartoonist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and often depicted Brownie in battle against the team s opponents, like the Broncos. However, many of the earliest versions of the elf are credited to Dick Dugan, who became the sports cartoonist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and often depicted Brownie in battle against the team s opponents, like the Broncos.
Wiccans believe that during Ostara, the Goddess and God, who represent fertility and the cycles of nature, are in their youth and preparing for their union. The Goddess is associated with the Earth and the awakening of new life, while the God is connected to the Sun and the lengthening days. This festival is often celebrated by performing rituals in honor of the changing season.
Brownie the Elf, the Cleveland Browns’ new midfield logo, explained
Thanks to a fan vote, the field at FirstEnergy Stadium will feature the running Brownie logo at the 50-yard line, giving the Browns their first midfield logo since 2016. (Photo by Aerial Agents courtesy the Cleveland Browns) Courtesy Cleveland Browns
8,966 shares- Joey Morona, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Brownie the Elf will make his 2022 debut as the Cleveland Browns midfield logo when the team takes on the New York Jets in Sunday’s home opener at FirstEnergy Stadium. The choice was met nationally with a collective “huh?”
On his radio show, NFL Network host Rich Eisen wondered “what the hell” the Browns were thinking by putting a “huge a-- Elf” at midfield. On Twitter, New York Giants beat writer Pat Leonard mocked the design, saying it looks like it belongs on a cereal box. And TikTok personality Jordan Schultz described the move as “a massive L.”
But it isn’t as if the team pulled Brownie out of a hat. Die-hard fans know the lovable Elf’s origins go way back even though his emergence might seem like a new development to the rest of the country. So what do we know about Brownie the Elf?
DEBUT OF BROWNIE THE ELF
The character made its debut in the team’s first season in the old All-America Football Conference (AAFC) in 1946. Owner Arthur McBride named the team after its coach, Paul Brown, but needed a mascot to market it. The name Brownie comes from Scottish folklore. They’re described as cantankerous and mischievous spirits with elf-like features who come out at night to do chores around the house and who invented the chocolate sweet treat we now know as brownies. According to Barry Shuck of dawgsbynature.com, the first iteration of the logo was inspired by a Sears and Roebuck advertisement.
Another version of Brownie -- the now familiar one of the Elf running with the football -- first appeared in an advertisement and program promoting the Browns’ inaugural game against the Miami Seahawks on September 6, 1946.
During the 1960s, a story in The Plain Dealer about the Cleveland Browns was often accompanied by a drawing of Brownie the Elf by sports cartoonist Dick Dugan.
THE GLORY YEARS
Even though the Browns have never had a logo on their helmet, Brownie the Elf officially remained the team’s primary mark from 1946 to 1969, a period during which it won four AAFC and four NFL championships. The character, as drawn by Plain Dealer sports cartoonist Dick Dugan, often accompanied stories about the team in the newspaper.
Things began to change after Art Modell purchased the team in the early 1960s.
“In one of his first command decisions after buying the team in 1961, Modell said, ‘Get rid of the little fellow.’ Or something like that,” longtime Cleveland sports journalist Dan Coughlin wrote in a 1999 book, “Back Home Browns.”
BROWNIE’S COMEBACK
The Elf’s return to prominence began in the late 1990s, appearing on a popular jacket during the three years the city of Cleveland was without a football team, Coughlin wrote. When the team returned in 1999, the new owners, the Lerner family, embraced the character, bringing it back occasionally in team branding and on select merchandise. In 2006, Brownie the Elf was used on a training camp patch commemorating the team’s 60th anniversary. An Elf mascot has been a fixture on the sidelines at FirstEnergy Stadium for several years now, pumping up the crowd during home games.
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski wears a hoodie featuring Brownie the Elf. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
The “angry” version of the character -- the one that’s now painted at the 50-yard-line -- reemerged in 2018 as the logo for training camp. But its real resurgence in popularity can be attributed to head coach Kevin Stefanski.
In 2020, the only season the team has won a playoff game in the last 27 years, Stefanski began wearing a hoodie featuring the running, stiff-arming Elf. It quickly became one of the most sought-after items in the team shop. Then, earlier this summer, in an effort to engage with fans more, Browns executive vice president and partner JW Johnson included both versions of Brownie in a poll in which fans could select the field design used at FirstEnergy Stadium this season. The team hasn’t had a logo at midfield since 2016, but in previous years the Browns helmet occupied that spot.
100,000 votes later, the choice was clear.
“We love the helmet logo, but Brownie has been around for a long time,” Johnson told clevelandbrowns.com. “I think people enjoy him, and we haven’t really showcased him as much as we’d like to. Between myself and (Browns Senior Vice President of Marketing & Media) Brent Rossi, we decided that we should bring him back. It’s been well-received.”
The team believes this is the first time Brownie has been painted at midfield since at least 1999 and perhaps as far back as the start of the Super Bowl era in 1966, if not the first time ever.
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Wiccans may gather outdoors, preferably in natural settings, to connect with nature and honor the Divine. Some common activities include planting seeds or flowers, decorating eggs, and creating spring-inspired altars. Ostara is a time of fertility and abundance, so it is common to see symbols of new life and growth. Eggs, bunnies, and flowers are all associated with this festival, representing the rebirth and regrowth of the natural world. These symbols also reflect the theme of balance, as eggs contain both the nurturing yolk and the potential for new life. In addition to the rituals and symbolism, Ostara is a time for reflection and introspection. Wiccans may take this opportunity to set intentions, make plans, or engage in divination practices to gain insight into the coming season. Overall, the Wiccan spring equinox, or Ostara, is a celebration of the changing seasons and the renewal of life. It is a time to honor the balance of nature and connect with the cycles of the Earth. Through rituals, symbols, and reflection, Wiccans embrace the energy and potential of the changing season and embrace the growth and renewal that spring brings..
Reviews for "Connecting with the Elements: Wiccan Practices for Aligning with Nature on the Spring Equinox"
- Karen - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "Wiccan spring equiangularity". The whole event felt chaotic and disorganized. The speakers were unprepared and lacked depth in their presentations. The workshops were poorly structured and didn't provide any practical information. Overall, it felt like a waste of time and money.
- John - 2 stars - I attended "Wiccan spring equiangularity" with high expectations, but I left feeling underwhelmed. The event lacked clarity and coherence. There was a lack of diversity among the speakers and the topics covered were repetitive. I was hoping to learn more about the history and practices of Wicca, but instead, I found myself listening to vague and superficial discussions. It was not the enriching experience I was hoping for.
- Sarah - 1.5 stars - I was quite disappointed with "Wiccan spring equiangularity". The event felt more like a sales pitch for various Wiccan products and services rather than an educational gathering. The speakers were constantly promoting their own books or workshops, and it felt like they were more interested in making money than sharing valuable knowledge. Additionally, the venue was overcrowded, making it difficult to fully engage with the presentations. I would not recommend this event to anyone looking for an authentic and informative Wiccan experience.
- Michael - 2 stars - "Wiccan spring equiangularity" fell short of my expectations. The event lacked a clear structure and seemed to jump from one topic to another without much coherence. The workshops were overcrowded, and it was difficult to participate actively. I also found the overall atmosphere to be somewhat superficial, with attendees more focused on appearances rather than genuine spiritual exploration. I was hoping for a deeper understanding of Wiccan practices, but unfortunately, this event did not provide that.