MARCH 5, 2020 BY GWYN

As a Green Witch, seasonal changes such as the Spring Equinox energize me. I love to celebrate this day which honors the shift that nature is undertaking. The focus of my Ostara observance is the Earth Mother, rather than Eostre or other deities. So, I thought I would share a Candle and Seed Spell which is appropriate for both seasonal celebration or any magickal working.

Spring Equinox/Ostara: Living Plants On My Altar

When it comes to the seasonal holidays, I love to dress my altar for the occasion. Sometimes the decorations will be elaborate (as with Samhain or Yule) while at other seasons the additions are more understated. My Spring, Summer, and Autumn seasonal holiday adornments are usually flowers, plants, seeds, leaves, etc. Most often, for Spring Equinox there will be elements that can be added to my garden once it is warm enough.

Last year I had hydroponic tulips on my altar, the bulbs of which I dried and planted outside my home. Our family moved from that location a couple of weeks ago, but as I walked the perimeter of the house I noticed one of the tulips was growing, and if the weather holds, it will most likely bloom around Ostara. There is something beautiful in that as I bid that space farewell.

While I cannot guarantee anything, in my experience the plants which hold space on my altar for a time thrive when moved to another location. They become strong allies in the protection of my home and in other magickal workings. Therefore, when it comes to Spring and Summer celebrations, in particular, I recommend including living plants in your rites. Whether seed, seedling or mature plant most magickal practitioners will find their inclusion valuable beyond the holiday moment.

Spring (Ostara) Flower Correspondences

Tulips — Valuable as a protector and can be used to ward against negative energy/spirits. They are an ally who will bring luck and good fortune toward your intention. They are useful in love, attraction, and banishment spells. The flowers are available in a variety of colors, including black.

Daffodils — Excellent allies in magick for fertility (and this includes artistic creation such as writing, music, drawing, sculpting, dance, etc), love, abundance, and luck (although the flowers can be an omen of bad luck as well).

African Violet — Violets are wonderful to have on your altar and if you are in a climate where wild violets are available for magickal working and wildcrafting then I recommend you work with these lovely blossoms. However, when working with an indoor violet I have found African Violet to be a strong ally. Easy to maintain with a very sweet spirit, the African Violet are wonderful protectors of the home. They can also help raise energy, promotes spirituality, and makes an excellent charm against mischief.

Hyacinth (Toxic: Do Not Use On Skin Or Ingest)— This is a beautiful flower to work with for peace, joy, dream protection, and because of its connection to Apollo and Hyacinthus is wonderful for use by homosexual practitioners in love/relationship attraction magick.

Echinacea — Well known for its healing properties, this flower can be used to add extra power to your spells and rituals, aid in psychic ability, increase fertility, abundance, and provide protection in multiple areas.

Hibiscus — Known for healing properties, this plant also helps psychic ability, dream clarity, love, lust, divination, and harmony.

Rose — These beautiful blooms come in many varieties, shapes, sizes (cultivated and wild). They are powerful allies for protection, love, abundance, happiness, and luck.

Simple Candle and Seed Spell

My philosophy about spellcraft is that a simple spell with focused intention is every bit as powerful as one which is filled with multiple, complex steps. This has been proven to me time and again for the past twenty years. Sure, I can get as elaborate as the next Witch with my rituals or spellcraft but never underestimate the effectiveness of the simple candle spell.

Let’s go over some basics:

• For me, it is important to keep the intention as succinct as possible. Write it down and keep it to one or two lines. Once you have a clear intention, you can determine which allies will best assist in your magickal working. This can be living plants, dried herbs, stones, animal spirits, trees — whichever spirit allies work with you. However, for the purpose of the Candle and Seed Spell, you will need to include the seed(s) of a plant ally which will strengthen your spell’s intention.
• Determine the color correspondence for the candle (unless you choose to use natural beeswax). You can use a book or go with your instinct if a particular color is needed for your intention.
• Determine the best day or time in which your spell should be cast if you have the time to plan it. However, I have found that a simple candle spell can be used at any time when the intention is very clear. And remember, if you have difficulty in visualizing intention, there are other ways to focus including sound, tactile senses, scent, etc.
• My instructions for the spell are very basic. Use what is written below as a framework to craft the spell you need or desire.

The Candle and Seed Spell

What You Will Need:

Small Slip of Paper and a Pencil
Candle and lighter/matches
Seed(s)
Items to represent air, earth, fire, water.
Items to represent your allies (herbs, live plants, stones, statues, etc).
Small pot with soil.
A small bowl of water.

**If you wish to purchase or make Acorn Cap Candles, one floating in an additional bowl of water can stand-in for the elements and candle.

Spell Instructions:

Set up your altar or spellcasting area with representations of the elements and spirit allies.

Place the candle, seed(s) bowl of water, and a small pot in front of you.
Use the paper and pencil to write down your intention. This is best for spells that need to hold (ex: protection) or grow (ex: abundance) over time.
Ground and Center. Prepare yourself through a short meditation if that works for you.
Cast a circle or use the sacred smoke of choice to create a spellcasting/ritual space.
Invite the elements and allies to join you and lend their power to your spell.
Read your intention. Speak the words aloud. Think about them. Focus in the way which serves you best.
Light the candle while speaking the words of your intention.
Plant the seed in the small pot filled with soil while speaking the words of your intention.
Pour the water from the bowl over the soil while speaking the words of your intention.
Fold the paper and place it under the soil (away from the seeds) while speaking the words of your intention.
Thank the elements and allies for joining and assisting you in the spell.
Release the circle, sacred space. Allow the candle to burn until it extinguishes.
Let the seed pot hold space on the altar, then move to where growth can occur.
So mote it be.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/3pagansandacat/2020/03/spring-equinox-ostara-a-simple-candle-and-seed-spell/