TechnoDruid

I celebrated Ostara with Stone Creed Grove again. I attended with Brian and Ari. The rite was during the day instead of the evening this time.
Previous to the ritual the altar was dressed with flowers and we dyed hardboiled eggs to have them blessed. Seeds were also placed on the altar to be blessed.
We cleaned and blessed ourselves at the small table with water and incense set aside for this purpose.
It began with the Two Powers meditation, which was much shorter this time than at Imbolc. I wonder if that is because there were several more young children who were restless during it. I found it difficult to concentrate during the meditation because Ari didn’t want to stay still. Then we processed while singing “Come We Now as a People”, which is a chant that I really like.
The ritual was to honor Aine (pronounced Ahn-ya) and Manannan mac Lir who is also the grove’s Gatekeeper. The Gods were invoked and sacrifices were made. Some people sang, recited poetry, or made incense offerings. We offered incense. There were less praise offerings made during this rite. Grove offerings included apples, milk, and beer.
We drank the “Waters of Life”, which was water and beer this time.
We took the Omen, which was deemed to be a “good omen”.
The rite was closed and we were encouraged to take our blessed eggs and use them, or eat them. I also got a blessed packet of Green Beans.
I was happy to be more familiar with the chants and call-backs this time. It was connecting and affirmed even more that I want to worship my Gods in this way. It was deeply respectful and reverent, and yet fun. At the end of the rite everyone yells, “hurray”, which is one of my favorite parts. Then, everyone goes off to feast.
The most difficult part of this ritual was having Ari in circle with me, and him not being cooperative. At Imbolc a woman took Ari aside to play near the circle when he got fidgety and bored. This time he was in circle the whole time. I had to divert much of my attention to him and lost my concentration many times. He became interested, and quieted down during the chanting and singing. I think he will become more attentive as he gets a little older and gets used to the order of operations.

The Omen was taken in Oghams:
1.) Ruis (pronounced Roos), Elder
2.) Straif (pronounced Strafe), Blackthorn
3.) Tinne (pronounced Tine), Holly