Of Ostara, Equinox, and Duelling Elephants

In (dis)honour of the flat-earther amateur astronaut who tried shooting himself into space recently… and in continuing honour of the late, great Terry Pratchett (whom I feel is recommended – and fun - reading for pagans):

Spring comes to the Discworld, and the Great A’Tuin begins tilting the northern (headwards) half of the Disc a little closer towards the sun.  Two of the four elephants on the great turtle’s back take up their ancient grudge-match again.  One, on the west side, raises its trunk and begins blowing warmer air from the rim.  The other, on the north, counters by raising its trunk even farther, blowing down on the snowy Hub Mountains at the centre of the great disc, spreading cold winds upon the land.  It’s a losing battle though; the increasing tilt of the Disc will make sure warmer weather will come. But is it any wonder the people are so confused? 

Here on the round world, it’s the northern hemisphere that begins nodding towards the Sun, and the southern hemisphere away from it.  We’ve just passed the equinox (“equal night”), as the daylight hours now exceed the night.  It’s a pet peeve of mine that those new to the path confuse it with “solstice”, meaning “Sun stands still”.  About Mar 21 or so, we have 12 hours of daylight, and the Sun rises and sets due east and west respectively. We are fortunate this year in that Ostara (under its various spellings) occurs so close to the moveable Christian feast, so I at least don’t feel the cultural disconnect that Easters in mid-April can bring (“but we celebrated Ostara weeks ago!”).

The animal fertility of “bunnies and eggs” that so often infuses our rituals is triggered by both the lengthening days and the warmer weather.  It can be confusing (I admit it still is for me) that Beltane, with its emphasis on sex, is not about the fertility of animals, but of plants… pagans are just “showing the way” for the flora.

In my own personal Wheel of the Year, the aging Holly lord is in his Sage aspect. Since Imbolc, he has been teaching his young Oak Apprentice in the magickal arts. Oak, meanwhile, has been looking lustily at the Maiden goddess, and slays the Holly Sage so he can have her for his own.

If we map our lives on the Wheel of the Year, Ostara can be associated with adolescence and our own apprenticeships: our training in school, and ongoing learning during our lives. Perhaps in another sense, it’s about establishing, celebrating, or reinforcing our own identity, particularly in the wake of life-altering events; something to think about in terms of crafting your own rituals this month.

April Events:

Note these events are listed for information purposes only; no endorsement should be necessarily implied. Dates and locations may be subject to change; see the source for details. If I’ve missed anyone and you’d like to add to this listing, please contact me. All times MDT.

Apr 1:  All Fools’ Day, and Easter Sunday.

Apr 7, 11:00 am:  Calgary Kinky Flea Market at Forest Heights Community Centre, 4909 Forego Ave. SE.

Apr 14, 10:00 am:  Calgary New Age Market at Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Hall. https://www.facebook.com/events/158642184896444/

Apr 14, 7:00 pm:  Calgary Cuddle Party at Scarboro Community Centre, 1727-14 Avenue SW. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/calgary-cuddle-party-tickets-25420398095

Apr 15, 3:21 am:  Mercury retrograde ends.

Apr 15:  Celtic Tree-Month of Saille/Willow begins, according to Robert Graves.

Apr 15, 7:57 pm:  New Moon. Lunar Month of Saille/Willow begins.

Apr 18, 6:00 pm:  An Inconvenient Sequel screening and discussion at Green Calgary, #100, 301 – 14 St. NW.  http://www.greencalgary.org

Apr 21, 8:00 am:  Alberta Wilderness Association “Climb for Wilderness” at the Bow Building.  http://www.climbforwilderness.ca/

Apr 21, 7:00 pm:  Paranormal Investigation at East Coulee School Museum, hosted by Ghost Hunt Alberta. Tickets through Eventbrite.  https://www.facebook.com/events/246930162510554/

Apr 22:  Earth Day.

Apr 22, 9:00 am:  An Inconvenient Sequel screening and discussion at Green Calgary, #100, 301 – 14 St. NW.  See Apr 18.

Apr 26-29:  Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo at Stampede Park. http://calgaryexpo.com

Apr 27-29:  Body, Soul, and Spirit Expo at Grey Eagle Casino.  http://bodysoulspiritexpo.com/expo/expo.php3?city=104

Apr 27, 9:30 pm:  Paranormal Investigation of Rockyview Hotel, Cochrane, hosted by Ghost Hunt Alberta. Tickets through Eventbrite.  https://www.facebook.com/events/911865068986290/

Apr 28-29:  The Crystal Cauldron Marketplace at The Market on Macleod, 7711 Macleod Trail S.  https://www.facebook.com/events/1754295301295671/

Apr 28, 7:00 pm:  Calgary Heathens Meet and Greet at Denny’s McKnight.

Apr 29, 6:00 pm:  Witchcraft Discussion/Education Group at CommunityWise Resource Centre (formerly Old Y), hosted by Calgary School of Informal Education.  https://www.facebook.com/events/1596741910406000/

Apr 29, 6:58 pm:  Full (Pink or Wind) Moon.

May 1:  Beltane.

May 1, 10:30 am:  Second Annual Pagan Cultural Festival at Galt Gardens, Lethbridge.   https://www.facebook.com/events/1264633076990020/