Daniel Pharr
Ostara, the Spring Equinox, the day of equilibrium, is a solar holiday on March 19 at 11:49 a.m. under a waning Aquarius Moon. The high holiday comes a few days early this year, and is the earliest Spring Equinox since 1896. Interestingly, since 2000, Ostara arrives every Leap Year earlier than the Leap Year before and will continue to do so until the end of this century.
Ostara
This day at the exact time, the dark and light energies stand as equals, night and day are of equal length. A favorite practice to celebrate Ostara is to stand eggs on their ends. Remove the eggs from the refrigerator and let the eggs warm to room temperature on the counter. When nearing the moment of equilibrium (the timing does not need to be exact) move the eggs to a surface that will not be affected by vibration or disturbance. Hold an egg gently between the fingers of both hands on its larger rounded end. Find the balance point and slowly let go. This may take several tries and several minutes, but eventually an egg will stand on its own. Stand eggs everywhere, like stones on the Celtic landscape. Take a photo.
This waning Aquarius Moon will provide an opportunity to draw on the inner darkness for strength and inspiration. Ostara being the time of the quickening, the time the earth begins to burst forth with new life, it is a favorable phase to begin a major effort or significant project. New affairs requiring forethought and analysis are particularly supported in this lunar arrangement. Look inward at previous losses and lessons learned, extract the wisdom from each, and bring this knowledge forward into the new venture rather than holding on to defeat and thinking of retribution.
Dark Moon
The dark Aries Moon on March 24 at 5:28 a.m. is also the calculated stint of lunar energies to coincide with the Ostara celebration. This is a time of coming out of the darkness and into the light, from dark Moon to waxing Moon, and Aries will add the fire to push new plans into full form and set the schemes in motion. Use this Moon and the coming Taurus Moon to drive plans forward, making significant progress by the Full Libra Moon in two weeks.
Gardening
Planting will be ideal on March 26 and 27, as well as the daylight hours of March 28, and especially under the light of the waxing Taurus Moon during those days. The waxing Cancer Moon, beginning an hour after sunrise on March 31, and continuing on April 1 and the morning of April 2, will likewise be an excellent period for sowing, and the dark hours under the shining Cancer Moon will be even better. If the soil is still cold and nights are still approaching freezing, sowing under glass is best, and rather than providing a list of suitable food plants for sowing, I recommend that you sow them all. Once April sun has warmed the soil, save for the fruit plants, sow all seeds directly in the ground, although check the weather forecasts, as this year could see late snows, which would push direct planting into May.
Great Conjunction
A new thirty-year cycle started on January 12, 2020, with Saturn conjunct Pluto. Jupiter joins the fray on December 21, 2020. The Great Conjunction, as it is named, is associated with huge shakeups, politically and planetarily, literally and metaphorically. Nine US presidents have been killed, died of illness, or experienced an assasination attempt during a Great Conjunction. Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes are also more common. The Great Conjunction is all about destruction. To add more misery, the weather predictions for the winter this year are heavy snows brought on by a strong La Niña depression off the coast of Central and South Americas. The time for preparation is in the spring and summer. Prepare for a lack of food, water, and electricity during the winter months. Sow heavily in the garden this year, and sow often, taking advantage of the planting days. Can and dry and pickle and ferment; save all of the food possible in case of a long, difficult winter. Stock up on firewood if that is an option, otherwise prepare for long power outages and lack of heat. Water is always the most important emergency provision, so store water, as well as gasoline for a generator. Don’t forget blankets, candles, and matches.
Full Moon
A Full Libra Moon will shine upon esbat celebrations on April 7 at 10:34 p.m. This fine Libra Moon is all about balance, fairness, and justice. Libra, a masculine air sign ruled by the feminine Venus, exhibits balance in all its energies and influences. The celebration of this Full Moon should include ritualistic aspects positively enhanced by charm and cheerfulness, romance and diplomacy, as the Libra Full Moon will shine joyfully on relationships of all varieties.
Easter
Easter is on Sunday, April 12. This mundane lunar holiday falls annually on the first Sunday after the first Full Moon after Ostara. The whole of the daylight hours will be experienced in a void-of-course Sagittarius Moon, which will go void at 7:45 a.m. and move into Capricorn at 8:05 p.m. The inspiration, encouragement, and idealism of the Sagittarian Moon that have dominated for the last couple of days will, over the course of the day, slowly lose the struggle against the practical, organized, process-driven motivations of the Capricorn Moon. If family time is contemplated, be aware of the shifting lunar influences and be prepared to check Sagittarianism at the door. Be practical.
Dark Moon
April 22 at 10:25 p.m. will mark the arrival of the Taurus dark Moon. Taurus naturally brings forth vim and vigor in a stubborn, never quit, no stop, moving mountains way. In opposition to being pushed or cornered are the exact same qualities focused on never giving in, never moving from that spot, and not moving until asked nicely. The grounded nature of Taurus soothes even the most savage. Taurus is a feminine earth sign and is ruled by the feminine Venus. The dark Moon will bring out the hidden strength behind the Taurus qualities. The evening’s esbat would do well to focus on the realization of the inner immoveable stability and motivating willpower, bringing these into the light of day to be embodied and benevolently called upon at all times, not just the times of stress and pressure.