The Year Wheel has turned again, and Spring is upon us. Friday marks the Spring Equinox; the half-way mark between the Winter and Summer Solstices, and the time of year when the hours of light and darkness are balanced.
The Spring Equinox is also referred to as Ostara, named after the Germanic Goddess Eostre (from which we get the word “Easter”) of springtime and dawn, of rebirth and rejuvenation. After a long winter, spring has finally arrived and it is time to celebrate the re-awakening of the Earth.
Here are some ideas from myself, my friends over at the Homestead Bloggers Network, and some of my other favorite bloggers to help you get started!
Colored Eggs
An egg is almost the perfect symbol of fertility… and that is probably why colored eggs are featured so prominently in Ostara/Easter celebrations. Skip the food coloring, though, and learn how to dye eggs naturally.
Dye Eggs, Naturally from Once Upon a Time in a Bed of Wildflowers
Kombucha Vinegar Dyed Easter Eggs with Natural Colorings from Kombachu Kamp
Easter Eggs: Natural Dye vs Natural Dye from The Homestead Lady — be sure to check out the links to other bloggers who have dyed eggs naturally; everyone has different experiences and suggestions!
Or skip the dye all together, and find a chicken that lays colored eggs — they really do exist!
5 Chickens to Raise for Colorful Eggs from Frugal Chicken
A Rainbow of Egg Colors from Fresh Eggs Daily
Springtime Animals
Along with eggs, baby chicks and bunnies are beautiful symbols of fertility and springtime. However, I do not believe that baby animals of any sort belong in Easter baskets! If you really need something soft and fluffy in your Easter basket… well, that is what stuffed animals are for! Or consider visiting a farm, petting zoo, or animal shelter to get your baby animal fix.
However, for people who really are considering bringing animals onto their homestead…
Top 10 Things You Need to Know Before Getting Chickens from Little Blog on the Homestead
18 Questions to Ask Before Buying Chicks from The Coastal Homestead
4 Reasons to Consider Getting Rabbits from The 104 Homestead
Rabbit Recipes!
Fried Rabbit and Sage Buttermilk Waffles from Game & Garden
Farm Fresh Fried Rabbit from Our Simple Homestead
Fasting & Feasting
Before grocery stores, people had to grow, gather, and preserve all the food they were going to eat during the long winter months. And that meant that a certain conservation mentality had to be kept in place all winter long. Sometimes it also meant that the month of March was a hungry one: stores were running low and everyone was sick to death of potatoes and other root vegetables. We can touch on this with the idea of fasting for Lent, and with traditional Easter fare: Cured meat, lots of potatoes… and sometimes some fresh, green shoots.
Greens are usually the first thing to start growing again!
Asian Chopped Salad from Pasture Deficit Disorder
Arugula Salad (with Beets, Avocado, and Eggs) from the Gluten-Free Homemaker
Sauteed Wild Mustard Greens with Dock, Garlic, and Onions from Little Fall Creek
Greens and Roots on a Warm Bed of Quinoa from Herbal Academy of New England
Indian-Spiced Split Peas from Once Upon a Time in a Bed of Wildflowers — Any greens will work in this recipe!
Springtime in the Garden
7 Herbs to Start from Seed from Grow a Good Life
The “Cool” Crops of Spring from Growing Organic
The “Not-so-Popular” Crops of Spring from Growing Organic — Now don’t be snobby and only grow the “cool” crops; these guys are awesome, too, once you get to know them! 😉
The Easiest Cold-Weather Crops to Grow in Your Garden from Lady Lee’s Home
How to Grow Asparagus from Franger Farm
Harvesting and Cooking Nettles from Herbal Academy of New England
If you need help planning a garden, or starting seeds, be sure to check out two older My Week on Wednesday posts: Planning Spring’s Garden, and Starting Seeds.
More Ideas for Ostara and the Spring Equinox
5 Spring Equinox Activities from Eco-Mothering
And now…
Quote of the Week
Approximately daily, I post quotes on my Facebook Page. The quote with the most likes, shares, and comments will become the Quote of the Week. Be sure to “like” my page so you don’t miss any, and so you can make your favorites known!
Thank you for joining me for My Week on Wednesday. Tell me, what did you do this week? I’d love to hear!
Also, if you haven’t already, be sure to come visit me on Facebook, hang out with me on Google+ and follow me on Pintrest and Twitter!
And be sure to join us on Friday for the From the Farm Blog Hop!
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Hi Christine,
Happy Spring to you as well! I am so glad Spring is here!
So many great ideas! These quotes are so inspiring! Thank you for sharing these wonderful Spring ideas with us at the at the Healthy, Happy, Green and Natural Party Blog Hop! I’m pinning and sharing!