www.tarotbykateinaustin.com
kate_braun2000@yahoo.com
“In your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it…”
Thursday, March 20, is the Vernal Equinox, also named Spring Equinox, Lady Day, Ostara, Oestra. Thursday is Thor’s Day; Thor is the Norse god of war. Lady Moon is in her second quarter of Virgo, a sign of new beginnings. The combination of blustery Thor and balancing Moon could prove interesting, to say the least. I recommend you take the attitude that anything can happen on this day.
The egg is a traditional symbol for the Vernal Equinox, as is the rabbit. Both were sacred to Eostra, Saxon goddess of the Dawn, and customs associated with venerating her have morphed over time into current traditions involving Easter egg hunts and the Easter Bunny. Eostra, so the lore tells us, was also fond of sweets; offerings to her shrines frequently included honey and other sweet dessert items. Today the sweet treat of choice for this celebration is: Chocolate! If you like rich, organic, dark chocolate treats of exceptional quality, I suggest you visit the Arte y Chocolate website at www.aychocolate.com to discover where you may obtain some of the highest-quality chocolate available in this area.
Much of the lore concerning the Vernal Equinox involves eggs. Equinoxes are the two times each year when a raw egg may be balanced on its larger end, which may be done at any time during the day and which might be fun for your and your guests to do together at the beginning of your feast. You may choose to use eggs or egg-shapes for placecards and party favors. Your guests might enjoy the opportunity to decorate eggs made of wood, papier mache, cardboard, or other materials. These eggs may then be exchanged among your guests and taken home as party favors to decorate their homes/altars. One custom dictates that hard-boiled eggs are first decorated and then ceremoniously buried in the garden as an offering to the garden deities to bring a bountiful harvest.
Spring festivals also tend to involve dressing up in various types of finery, yet another way to celebrate Lord Sun’s emergence. Array yourself, your festive table, your altar, and invite your guests to dress in pastel shades of all colors. Another focus of this festival is plants and planting. Wheatsville Food Coop‘s annual Herb Fest is on Saturday, March 15, starting at 10 AM, in the north parking lot, should you feel inclined to make some additions to your garden.
It is said that Alexander the Great was asked “which came first, the chicken or the egg?” Alexander’s reply was that the Orphic Mysteries teach that the Egg is the origin of all things. I suggest that as you decorate, exchange, balance, and eat eggs on this day, you take some time to contemplate beginnings: consider the goals you would most like to start pursuing this year and choose one to focus on. Ideas, like eggs, are the origin of all things.
Reminders: 1. I will be Elaine Ireland’s guest on her live-on-the-internet radio talk show on Wednesday, March 19, from 7:55 PM to 8:50 PM. Go to www.bbsradio.com, click on Channel 2, scroll through the Wednesday listings for “Going Global With Spirit with Elaine Ireland“ and click there to listen. There is a toll-free number for listeners to call in to make comments, ask questions, and/or get a short Tarot reading from me.
2. The next Metaphysical Fair will be on April 12 & 13 at the Radisson Hotel, 6000 Middle Fiskvville Rd., Austin, TX., between Highland Mall and Lincoln Village. Saturday hours:10 AM – 6 PM; Sunday hours are 11 AM – 6 PM. $7.00 entry fee, good for both days. If you come to the fair because you read about it here, please stop by the Tarot by Kate table and say “Hi” whether or not you get a reading. If you decide to get a Tarot reading from me, mention this Seasonal Message and you will receive 5 additional minutes free.
2: Effective April 1, 2008, my bigstep.com website will cease to exist. The new site address is: www.tarotbykateinaustin.com. I will be continuing to fine-tune this site for as long as it takes to get it done to my satisfaction. Send your suggestions for changes/improvements to: kate_braun2000@yahoo.com.
