It's almost time for the Spring Equinox, when we honor the coming of Spring, life and rebirth. New sprouts of green shoot up from the now again fertile earth, animals come out from winter hibernation, and new life is born. The typical symbols for the Spring Equinox, or Ostara, are eggs, rabbits, birds, flowers, butterflies and other greenery. There are some wonderful crafts and food to make at this time of year, I will share some of my favorite.
An Ostara tree is fun and easy to make, and also great for kids. It's a great way to bring a little nature inside to celebrate the new life of the season. This picture is of my Ostara tree. I used branches that had fallen from trees, and also some flora from the crafts store. These are instructions that I found on About.com, but please feel free to get creative with your tree.
Ostara Tree Supplies:
Several lightweight branches
Some florist's foam
A flowerpot
Acrylic paints
Spanish moss
Small spring decorations
First, paint the pot with spring designs -- flowers, butterflies, ladybugs, eggs, etc. If you have kids, this is a lot of fun. If you don't mind them getting a bit messy, let them use thumbprints to make designs. Allow the paint to dry.
Cut a chunk of florist's foam to fit into the pot and then insert the branches into the foam so that it forms a tree shape. Hang the decorations -- eggs, ribbons, flowers, etc. -- on branches. Use the Spanish moss to cover the florist's foam in the top of the pot.
You can personalize your tree anyway you like. Make your own ornaments from polymer clay or buy some already made. For my tree I decided not to paint the flower pot to leave it more natural looking.
Other things that I love making for seasonal celebrations are wine and food. I found a great recipe for Raspberry wine and chocolate eggs that are divine!
Raspberry Wine
2 1/2-pint baskets fresh raspberries
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp raspberry liqueur
1/4 cup cognac or other brandy
1 750-ml bottle white wine
Combine 2 baskets raspberries and 2 tbsp sugar in medium bowl. Mash berries lightly with fork. Let stand 15 minutes. Mix in liqueur and brandy. Pour into jar. Cover and let stand in dark cupboard 3 days. Strain raspberry mixture, pressing on solids with spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. (Can be made 1 month ahead. Cover; chill.)
Chocolate Ostara Eggs
In both ends of 8 eggs, poke pinholes. Blow in one end until egg is emptied out. Tape one hole shut and open the other to the size of a nickel. Wash the eggshell, rinse, and place back in egg carton.
Melt milk chocolate over low heat(I use chocolate chips). Pour chocolate into egg shells. Refrigerate until chocolate hardens. To eat, peel off outside shell. You could also get creative and add toffee pieces or caramel.
I found these original recipes on Mistresskalpanasrealm, but I tweaked the ingredients a little to my own preference. Be sure to check out this website, there are many great Ostara recipes!
Have fun making your Ostara tree and treats. Wishing everyone a delightful season of life and rebirth!
