The Mystical Cauldron


Ostara Edition - March 2007







Table of Contents

Ostara Musings

Crafts for Ostara

Ostara Poem

Recipes for the Feast

Ostara 2002 page

Ostara 2003 page

Ostara 2004 page

Ostara 2005 page



Ostara Musings

We all know that decorated eggs are an extremely popular symbol of this time of year. Everywhere you look you will see the egg... some have little chicks just breaking out of the shell, some are chocolate with ooey-gooey centers, most are colorful and decorative. Those eggs mean something different to each person who sees them, buys them, or makes them. For some, the egg symbolizes the new life that surrounds us at this time of year, for others the eggs represent fond memories of coloring eggs when they were children, still others see the egg as a symbol of all the untouched potential that lies within each of us... and none of these interpretations is incorrect! And the meaning can evolve for each person as they grow and change.

When I was very little, my Mom and my Great Aunt would buy a dozen eggs for each of my three brothers and myself to color. My Great Aunt would cover her dining room table with newspaper and set up a coloring station on each side of the table (one for each of us). We would get to put the little color tablet in each of her teacups (yes, breakable teacups) and measure out the vinegar into each cup. Then she or my Mom would fill the cups with just the right amount of water and sit back and watch the ensuing chaos. My brothers were always done first and their eggs were usually much more decorative than mine but is was so much fun! To this day, I can't remember how my Mom used up 4 dozen hard-boiled eggs but I'm sure she found a way. Of course, now that I am an adult, I understand that Mom and GG probably bought that many eggs to keep my brothers, who were older than me, from taking all the eggs and leaving me none to color... but that doesn't diminish the joy of these memories in the least.

When I was a teenager, it was just my Mom and Dad, me and our Basset Hound (named Dragon) in the house. My Mom and I would still color a couple dozen eggs and Mom would put them on the coffee table in a basket with low sides. Dragon would sneak up to the basket and steal an egg out of it by nosing it onto the floor (all the while checking to make sure that none of us were watching him). Then he would roll the egg around on the floor until he got all the shell off before he ate it. My Dad loved watching the dog do this and it brings a smile to my face every time I think about it. It would be easy for me to look back on that time and remember that my Dad was dying or that he was too sick to help color the eggs, which is why Mom and I did the actual coloring (always in the same room with him so he could at least participate that way) or to think about having to clean eggshell up off the floor (which I really don't remember)... but none of those things are what stick with me. What sticks with me is how much joy my Dad got out of watching the dog steal the eggs and how we used the coloring of the eggs as one more way to make our family even closer.

Now, we have our coven and there are a goodly number of children in our group... They are almost all around the same age (between 4 and 7)and one of our big traditions is the Egg Hunt. We get dozens and dozens of plastic eggs and fill them with healthy snacks (dried cranberries, yogurt-covered raisins, etc.) and little toys. One of our group gets a huge kick out of hiding the eggs, so we usually put her in charge of that and we all go out and watch the little ones search for the eggs... running around Goddess Grove with their little baskets, looking in every clump of grass, every bush, behind every stump and even in the trees. Believe me, they leave no place un-searched! It is noisy and chaotic and more fun than I ever thought I could have around little people. We always do the Hunt before we have Ostara ritual so the little ones get some of their energy out and also so they have some kid time before we get to the more serious portion, which they also share in if they want to. Looking back on these Egg Hunts always brings a smile to my face. Remembering how the parents used to have to help point out where the eggs were hidden when the kids could just barely walk and now, how they have to try to keep up or just get out of the little one's path.

I guess my point is this... although the Holiday has changed for me throughout the years and the 'symbolism' of the egg has taken on different meanings for me over time; the bottom line is that, for me, this Holiday and the egg that is so commonly seen as it's ambassador represent Joy for me. No matter what the underlying circumstances surrounding it are, every single memory of this time of year is a joyful one. How does a person get that blessed?

My hope for each of you is that no matter what belief system you follow or what the symbols of this day mnay represent for you, that ultimately you find peace, joy, and love within your heart and surrounding you. May you have a very Blessed and Happy Ostara!



Crafts for Ostara

Ostara Magick for You and Your Kids

You will need...

1 hardboiled egg for each person.

A variety of wax crayons

Egg dye in each person's favorite color.

Directions

1. Each person should spend some time holding their egg, thinking about what they want to have manifest in their life during the next few months. (Examples being money for prosperity, love, peace, etc.)

(from www.learnpysanky.com)

2. Using the crayons, each person will decorate their own egg with symbols that represent what they wish for.

3. Once everyone has finished drawing on their egg, they should place it into their favorite color of dye.

4. Once the eggs have been dyed and are dry, each person should eat their egg to bring into themselves the changes they are looking for.


Ostara Tree

What you will need:

Tree limb

Vase or decorative pitcher

Decorative rocks

Paper or silk flowers

Decorated eggs

Ostara-theme ornaments

Miniature lights

Pastel colored ribbon

Directions

1. Place tree limb in vase or pitcher and fill the container with the decorative rock to hold the limb in place.

2. Decorated the tree as you like with eggs, chicks, lights or any other Ostara-themed item


Mosaic Eggs

What you will need:

Many different colors of tissue paper

white craft glue

water

old paint brush (small)

Hard-boiled eggs (or even plastic ones)

Directions

1. Tear the tissue paper into dime-sized irregularly shaped pieces.

2. Paint a small area of the egg with thinned glue

3. Place the tissue on the glue and smooth down

4. Continue these steps until the egg is completely covered.

5. Set aside to dry completely


Lamby Pencil Cup

(from kidsdomain.com)

What you will need:

What You Need

Empty tin vegetable can, washed and dried

Liquitex Basics Gesso

Large paint brush

45-50 cotton balls (couple of handfuls)

One-half of a sheet of black felt

Two medium wiggle eyes

Small black pom pom

Eight-inch piece of colored ribbon

White craft glue (Tacky Glue)

Directions

1. First, parents may need to use a piece of sandpaper or an Emory board to file off any sharp edge around the opening of the can. Many cans come with flip-top lids now and these are ideal as there are no sharp edges.

2. Paint the outside of the can with one coat of Gesso. This will help the glue stick to the can as well as provide a white background in case your little ones leave any gaps between cotton balls. Allow to dry.

3. Glue cotton balls onto the can, start at the bottom and work your way around the can. Then move up a layer and go all the way around again. Repeat this process until can is completely covered.

4. From the black felt, cut out two ears (the shape of a capital letter D without the middle cut out) and two hooves. The hooves are just two small squares, round the edges of one end and cut a small triangle at the bottom for the toe.

5. Glue ears and feet in place.

6. Glue on wiggle eyes.

7. Glue on pom pom for nose.

8. Tie a piece of ribbon into a bow. Trim the ends and glue below the nose.


Ode to Ostara



Angelus Webweaver 2007

Ostara comes with Spring each year
With newborn chicks and lambs
It brings to me renewed good cheer
And reminds me who I am.
The flowers burst out from the ground
And open their shy faces
Their beauty makes me gasp outloud
Transports me to new places.
I made my plans all Winter long
And they're bursting at my seams
My heart takes flight, my voice takes song
And guides me to my dreams.
I thank the God for everything
He's helped me to discover
He lifts me up and gives me wings
As does the Goddess Mother.
Rejuvenation comes to all
That live upong the Earth
It lifts from us the Winter's pall
And reminds us what we're worth.


Recipes for the Feast

Baked French Toast Casserole

Recipe by Paula Deen

Indgredients

1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)

8 large eggs

2 cups half-and-half

1 cup milk

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Dash salt

Directions

1. Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each.

2. Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices.

3. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly.

4. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices.

5. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

6. The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees, bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden.

7. Serve with maple syrup.


Special Egg Salad

Indgredients

4 Hard-boiled Eggs, peeled and chopped

2 Tbls Mayonnaise

2 Tbls Tartar Sauce

2 teaspoons Vidalia Onion, finely chopped

¼ Cup chopped black olives

Directions:

1.Gently toss the eggs, onion and olive together in a medium-size bowl.

2.In a smaller bowl, combine mayonnaise, tartar sauce, salt and pepper. Fold into the egg mixture.

3.Season to taste.

4.Chill for an hour or so before eating. Goes great on Pumpernickel bread!




Roast Beef Hash with Poached Eggs and Mushroom Sauce

Ingredients

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

3 teaspoons minced garlic

1 small loaf French bread, 10 to 12-inches in length, split in half lengthwise

1 pound Idaho potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 2 1/2 cups)

6 strips bacon, chopped

1 cup finely chopped yellow onions

1/2 cup finely chopped red bell peppers

3/4 pound cooked roast beef, shredded or chopped (about 3 cups)

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1/4 cup dry red wine

1 cup beef stock

8 Poached Eggs

Wild Mushroom Sauce, recipe follows

Chopped green onions, garnish

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. In a small bowl, mix together the butter, and 1 teaspoon of the garlic until creamy. Spread evenly over the French bread halves. Cut each in 1/2, for a total of 4 pieces.

3. When 15 to 20 minutes away from serving the meal, place on a baking sheet, buttered side up, and bake until lightly toasted and bubbly, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven.

4. In a medium saucepan, place the potatoes and enough water to cover by 1-inch.

5. Bring to a boil and cook until just tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain well.

6. In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium-high until brown and crisp, 5 to 6 minutes.

7. Remove with a slotted spoon. To the fat in the pan, add the onions and peppers, and cook, stirring, until soft, about 3 minutes.

8. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.

9. Add the potatoes and cook until starting to crisp and brown, stirring only occasionally, 7 to 8 minutes.

10. Add the meat, parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper, and stir well.

11. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.

12. Add the wine, increase the heat, and cook for 1 minute until the wine is nearly all evaporated.

13. Add the beef stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the mixture thickens slightly, 1 to 2 minutes.

14. Stir in the cooked bacon and remove from the heat. Adjust the seasoning, to taste.

15. Arrange 1 piece toasted French bread in the middle of each of 4 plates. Spoon the roast beef mixture over the toast and top each with 2 poached eggs. Spoon the mushroom sauce over the eggs, sprinkle with chopped green onions, and serve immediately.




Baked Brie with Cherries

Ingredients

1 (7 to 8-inch) wheel brie cheese

1/4 cup dried cherries

1/4 cup sliced toasted almonds

3 tablespoons brown sugar

2 sheets (12 by 18-inch) puff pastry

2 eggs, beaten

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Using a warmed sharp knife, cut the wheel of brie in half horizontally and separate the top half of the wheel from the bottom half.

3. Sprinkle the bottom half of the brie with the dried cherries, toasted almonds, and brown sugar.

4. Replace the top half of the brie and apply pressure to secure the stuffing.

5. Working on a well-floured surface, roll out the puff pastry so that it fully covers the brie.

6. Place the brie in the middle of the puff pastry and fold the excess pastry around the wheel. Put the wheel aside.

7. Roll out another piece of puff pastry and cut out a circle the same circumference as the top of the brie. Save the trimmings for decorations.

8. Using a pastry brush, brush the egg on top of the brie in the puff pastry and place the circle on top.

9. Brush the top of the circle with egg. Cut out decorations using cookie cutters or a small knife on top of the brie.

10. Brush the entire top side of the brie with the egg and place the brie on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.

11. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until the pastry begins to turn golden brown, then turn the temperature down to 325 degrees F and bake for another 20 minutes. Serve on a pretty platter.




Dirt Cupcakes

Ingredients

1 package of chocolate cake mix

1 container of chocolate or vanilla frosting

Gummi Worms (minimum 1 for each cupcake)

Crushed cookie crumbs (like Oreos)

Directions:

1. Prepare cake mix according to the package directions and place in muffin cups.

2. Bake as directed on package and cool.

3. Once cooled, push one end of the gummi worm as far down in the cupcake as possible leaving a bit sticking out.

4. Frost over the hole around the worm. Sprinkle cookie crumbs (dirt) all over the top of the cupcake.




Springy Punch

Ingredients

2 pkgs Cherry Kool-Aid®

4 liters lemon-lime soda

1 can frozen lemonade concentrate

1 can frozen pineapple concentrate

Directions

1. Make up the kool-aid ahead of time, by dissolving in as little water as possible. (Don't add sugar!)

2. Chill this mixture and the soda in the fridge until really cold.

3. Mix it all together, just before the feast. Add ice cubes (or your favorite flavor of sherbet to keep it cold)

4. OR make ice cubes, or an ice ring, using prepared kool-aid.





Table of Contents

Ostara Musings

Crafts for Ostara

Ostara Poem

Recipes for the Feast

Ostara 2002 page

Ostara 2003 page

Ostara 2004 page

Ostara 2005 page

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