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.
The concept of “good” witches is always problematic, of course, but we must still laud Mom for doing a supremely motherly thing here. “They died to save you,” Muriel snidely tells Gretel and Hansel. And when another white witch sacrifices herself to save Hansel, Muriel declares her “pathetic.” We, naturally, would beg to differ.
But perhaps, in the quiet moments as they scrub witch gore from their weapons, they wonder whether a different, more peaceful life might ve been theirs had their parents been able to take care of them. Örvarsson had previously scored Season of the Witch so initially he was a bit apprehensive to work on another witchcraft film but was too fond of the story to say no and found Tommy Wirkola s take on the subject matter to be very refreshing.
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.
Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters
We at Plugged In strongly support the idea of raising children in cheerful, stable, cannibal/witch-free homes. Without such a setting, kids are statistically more likely to abuse alcohol and get in trouble at school. And if things take a really uncomfortable turn, they could well become homeless mercenaries, spending their adult lives hacking up and burning hags.
Take, for example, Hansel and Gretel. For a good chunk of their childhoods, these siblings grew up in an idyllic home setting with Mom and Pops—playing, eating dinner together and frolicking through the forest without a care in the world. Had they been able to stay with their parents through their inevitably turbulent teen years, perhaps their lives might’ve been different. Gretel might’ve become an advertising executive or doctor. Hansel could’ve been an accountant, or maybe gotten involved in embroidery work. They might’ve each gotten married, purchased nice, suburban homes and met each other from time to time for a chat over espressos at Grimm’s Olde Coffee Shoppe.
Alas, Hansel and Gretel’s home life took a terrible turn for the worse. One night, their father led the two urchins into the deep, dark forest and left them there, never to return. The next thing they know, they’re trapped inside a house made of candy, being force-fed sweets by an ugly, angry witch and stoking the very oven she plans to cook them in.
Thankfully, this hardy pair proved surprisingly resourceful, tossing the witch into her own oven and setting the broil dial to “kill.” Then, lacking proper adult guidance (or parents of any kind, actually) and needing to make a living somehow, the two orphans decided to pursue a trade that capitalizes on the only thing they really knew how to do: killing witches. They create their own informal extermination services, dispatching old crones and hags and wart-covered sorceresses wherever they may lurk.
Oh, this grim life has its rewards. They become celebrities, impressing villagers with their unmatched panache and grotesque, perilous tales (much like our modern rappers). They’re given enough coin for their bloody escapades to keep them in food and grog.
But perhaps, in the quiet moments as they scrub witch gore from their weapons, they wonder whether a different, more peaceful life might’ve been theirs … had their parents been able to take care of them.
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 "Celebrate the Awakening Earth: Wicca's Connection to 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.