Ostara

My partner celebrated Ostara yesterday, and I assisted, mostly by huddling under a blanket while squinting at the grey horizon visible above the neighboring apartment buildings.

Lately, my partner has decided to begin exploring spirituality, feeling a pull towards rituals that celebrate nature. Here is the Ostara altar that my partner assembled for the Spring Equinox sunrise ritual:

My partner took this picture. Anyway, from left to right: milk; honey; a spoon (to mix the milk and honey - has no other spiritual significance); beeswax candle; ritual candles with crystal bracelet and amethyst pendant; another beeswax candle.

I'm happy to assist with this. I've always been interested in paganism, but only allowed myself to observe in a very clinical, distant sort of way. I'm agnostic, so while I don't necessarily believe in spirits, gods, etc., I like to believe that they could exist. It's just a nice thought. (Or not-so-nice thought, depending on the belief system.) Anyway, I do very much believe that a large part of the human experience is in our heads - our feelings, thoughts, the personal rituals we engage in and draw comfort from - and that if something enriches that experience, and it doesn't hurt anybody, then why not indulge in it?

So, I'm not sure where I will personally end up, spiritually. But meanwhile, I'm pleased to be here for my partner, and exploring this with them.

Happy (belated) Ostara, everyone!

March 2015

I've been gone for a long while! I suppose life just caught up to me - I'm working two jobs, and most weeks don't have a day off. This winter was pretty dreary, too, just rain, and weather too cold to grow anything. The hydrangea and roses lost their leaves. Our jasmine and dahlias died. It was a relentless procession of days of going to and from work in the rain.

But Spring is finally here, and I'm starting to feel better.

I've been cooking more - beef and potato stew; buttermilk cinnamon pancakes; homemade pho; lemon sugar scones.

I've started several plants, but cautiously and carefully, in the pots I intend to grow them in. I think that a big part of my failure last year was beginning too early, and starting them in the peat pots, which didn't keep them at the right temperature or dampness. There isn't a lot of sun yet - in fact the entire week so far is supposed to be rain - so I'm hoping the seedlings will be all right.

How about some pictures?

That's a pepper sprout! I planted ten seeds, and so far, four have germinated. The low germination rate might be because the seeds were left over from last year, but they might not be done yet. We'll see. Anyway, I've been keeping the pot covered in plastic wrap, and well-misted with water mixed with a bit of epsom salts. When the seedlings started to come up, I propped the plastic wrap up with little sticks, to keep it from crushing them. I hope I can uncover them soon, but the weather needs to be a bit warmer and sunnier first.

These are all basil. One of Minette, one of Siam Queen (Thai basil), and one of Sweet Genovese. I planted the seeds yesterday, so hopefully there will be sprouts soon.

What's happening outdoors?

The Beloved's hydrangea bush is ALIIIIVE!

The beebalm has started growing between the pathway stones. I love the natural rustic sort of look of that.

I thought that the clematis was dead. I nearly pulled it up! I'm so glad I decided to wait - it's growing like crazy now.

If you look at these last few pictures, you can see the little divider I made of grey wallstone. I plan to do the next side as well, once I can get over my reluctance to carry 42 lb of stone home by hand again.

That's probably enough for one post. Next post: eggs for tomatoes!