Wiccan Easter is called Ostara. Ostara is a festival that celebrates the spring equinox and the arrival of spring. It takes its name from the Germanic goddess Ostara, who represents fertility and new beginnings. During Ostara, Wiccans gather to honor the changing seasons and the reawakening of nature. It is a time to celebrate the balance between light and darkness, as the days become longer and warmer. Traditionally, Ostara is associated with fertility rituals, symbolizing the Earth's renewal and the abundance of life.
The tunnel of lights is a mesmerizing favorite year after year. (Photo Courtesy of Family Entertainment Live)
It s never too early to see Christmas lights and you re playing Mariah Carey All I Want For Christmas, it s very festive so absolutely, Dadesky said. We really like the new displays we see every year, said Pamela Parker, adding that the annual excursion provides an opportunity to find the holiday spirit.
Traditionally, Ostara is associated with fertility rituals, symbolizing the Earth's renewal and the abundance of life. It is a time for planting seeds, both literally and metaphorically, as Wiccans set intentions and goals for the coming months. One of the most well-known symbols of Ostara is the egg, representing new life and potential.
Magic of Lights helps those ready to move past Thanksgiving embrace holly jolly festivities
When you ask people from Northeast Ohio when the holiday season starts, you'll get very different answers.
Posted at 10:47 PM, Nov 24, 2022 and last updated 2022-11-24 23:20:00-05MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio — When you ask people from Northeast Ohio when the holiday season starts, you'll get very different answers.
For some, like Ritu Jain Viswanath, she's ready to deck the halls as soon as she can.
"If it were up to me we’d be celebrating Christmas all year long," Jain Viswanath said. "It’s a battle, my husband is basically a Grinch so it’s always like trying to fight. I try to put the Christmas stuff out like right around Halloween."
For others, like her husband, getting through Thanksgiving is a must.
"I stick to Thanksgiving for the start, for setting up that tree, yeah," Rue Viswanath said. "The night after Thanksgiving, the night of Thanksgiving."
The Viswanath's compromised though and after a day celebrating Thanksgiving with family took the kids and loved ones out to the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds to see some holiday lights at Magic of Lights.
Magic of Lights opened Wednesday and on Thanksgiving Day was open for families to drive through and enjoy the festivities. So for Tony Ballachino, the operations manager, the holiday season is in full swing.
"Yes, this is the start of Christmas to me, start of Christmas for us. Of course we all celebrated Thanksgiving with our families this morning but as you can see I think people are transitioning," Ballachino said. "I've been listening to Christmas music now for two weeks so we started setting up the first week of November and that’s really when I started getting into the spirit."
Ballachino has always loved holiday lights, so this job is perfect for him.
"The holiday season for me is special. I remember jumping in the car as a kid with my family, going down to Nela Park, taking trips to Oglebay. It was just special," Ballachino said. "So this place while I’m looking around it’s magical to me."
There's no denying the holidays have begun at the fairgrounds With more than 26 different displays and themes, over 1.5 million lights and 1.6 miles of decorations to admire, Magic of Lights is as festive as it gets.
Halfway through the drive sits the Holiday Village display, which allows guests to park and take pictures in front of a large, lit tree and other displays before heading into an indoor facility where Santa is waiting to take pictures with families. Guests can purchase hot cocoa and snacks, and adults can warm up with some beverages of their own. The building also features skating and a bounce house.
Vicki Dadesky is grateful for the Magic of Lights attraction, which brought her and her family out to take them all in Thursday evening.
"It’s never too early to see Christmas lights and you’re playing Mariah Carey All I Want For Christmas, it’s very festive so absolutely," Dadesky said. "We’re ready, Christmas bring it on."
Her niece, Delaney Ferguson, agrees and has a message for anyone who disagrees.
"Mmm, I say where’s the holiday spirit?"
Magic of Lights is open daily from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. with advanced tickets on sale for $21 per vehicle until Dec. 10 and $26 after that. Tickets at the gate until Dec. 9 are $30 per vehicle on weekdays and $35 on weekends. After Dec. 9, gate tickets are $35 on weekdays and $40 on weekends.
To learn more, click here.
Watch live and local news any time:
Ohio Decides: An Issue 1 ForumDownload the News 5 Cleveland app now for more stories from us, plus alerts on major news, the latest weather forecast, traffic information and much more. Download now on your Apple device here, and your Android device here.
You can also catch News 5 Cleveland on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV NOW, Hulu Live and more. We're also on Amazon Alexa devices. Learn more about our streaming options here.
Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Admission is per vehicle. Advance tickets for vehicles with up to three rows of seats are $21 through Dec. 9 and $26 thereafter. Tickets purchased in advance are good for any date.
Many Wiccans decorate eggs and incorporate them into their rituals and celebrations. Another important element of Ostara is the hare or rabbit, which is often depicted as a symbol of fertility. These creatures are associated with the goddess Ostara and are said to help bring about growth and abundance. Overall, Ostara is a joyful and optimistic celebration of rebirth and renewal. It marks the transition from winter to spring and reminds Wiccans of the cycles of nature and the endless possibilities that come with each new season..
Reviews for "Wiccan Easter: Finding Balance in Light and Darkness"
1. Mary Smith - 1 star
I was extremely disappointed with "Wiccan Easter is Called". The writing was poorly developed, and the plot was disjointed. It was difficult to follow the story and understand the author's intended message. Additionally, the characters lacked depth and were incredibly one-dimensional. I found it hard to connect with any of them or care about what happened to them. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-written and engaging story.
2. John Doe - 2 stars
While the concept of "Wiccan Easter is Called" seemed intriguing, the execution fell short for me. The pacing was slow, and I found myself losing interest in the story. The writing style was also a bit pretentious, with excessive use of flowery language that seemed unnecessary and detracted from the narrative. Furthermore, I felt like the book lacked a clear direction and the ending left me feeling unsatisfied. Overall, I was disappointed by this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
3. Emily Johnson - 1 star
I couldn't get through "Wiccan Easter is Called". The prose was overly descriptive and lacked substance. The author seemed more focused on painting a picture with words rather than actually telling a coherent story. I found myself getting lost in the convoluted sentences and struggling to make sense of what was happening. Additionally, the characters were uninteresting and failed to evoke any emotions from me. I'm sorry to say that this book was a complete miss for me, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.