via bohemianwornest
Has spring fever hit you yet?
We've had several days of grey skies, muddy, rain-soaked roads and cooler temps, so today's sunny blue disposition is a welcome change.
Although Philippines' seasons mostly consist of varying degrees of summer, I still like honoring the four seasons. One way to do that is by building an altar.
Ostara/Spring Equinox is March 20 this year. It's a time for new beginnings. We've hibernated inside our souls, took a good look around, maybe did some healing work during the dark, winter days. Now it's time to push up through the dirt, set intentions, and bloom!
creating your ostara altar
When it comes to color schemes and what items you should place on the altar, look outside for inspiration. What flowers are blooming? What colors are popping up? What represents spring?
Cover your altar space with a cloth, scarf, or sarong in your chosen color. Pastels, pinks, greens, lemon yellow, and white are all beautiful choices.
Think seasonal elements and balance them using gifts from nature.
Represent Earth with greenery and flowers (daffodils and tulips are a good choice). Gather them on a walk or from your garden. Silk flowers work too. You can even place a new plant or seedling on your altar to signify birth and new beginnings.
Represent water with spring or distilled water in a chalice. I might also add a few shells.
Represent air and fire with a smudging herb in a heat-proof pot or incense and candles. Herbs and scents to try: jasmine, rose, sage, strawberry.
via terratraders
If you're like me, you grew up with bunnies and eggs and baskets full of jelly beans. The gift-giving rabbit and egg hunts were an Easter tradition for me, but I never understood the significance of any of it. Eggs, for instance, have been a traditional favorite for many, many years, as they symbolize fertility, life, and rebirth. And cultures all over the world have regarded egg coloring as an important practice.
Add eggs to your altar, decorated with symbolic colors and shapes.
COLORS:
White: purity, innocence, birth
Yellow: youth, light, happiness
Red: passion, love
Green: renewal, hope
Brown: earth
Orange: endurance, strength, power
Blue: sky, good health
Purple: patience, trust, power
Black: remembrance, eternity, constancy
DESIGNS:
Spirals: mystery of life and death, divinity
Curls: protection
Stars: purity, life, giver of light
Triangle: air, fire and water
Circle: protection, completion, everlasting life
Flowers: beauty
Leaves: strength, pure love, persistence
Crystals are another beautiful element to add to a spring altar, especially if you plan on setting intentions and meditating at the altar. Crystals to consider:
Green Aventurine: prosperity; promotes compassion; encourages perseverance; promotes well-being
Dendritic Agate: brings fullness and abundance to all areas of life; creates a peaceful environment and encourages enjoying each moment; deepens connection to the earth
Chrysoprase: opens, activates, and energizes the heart; balances energy; promotes hope and love of truth
Carnelian: restores vitality and motivation; stimulates creativity; promotes positive life choices
Labradorite: aids in transformation and gives strength through times of change; banishes fear and insecurities
So build a colorful altar with me and welcome spring in all her glory? If you do, snap a photo and send it my way. I'd love to see!
