About this episode
Spring is springing — and in this Wheel of the Year episode, Ashleigh turns the wheel toward Ostara, the Spring Equinox (March 20)—releasing this episode a week early so you have time to gather herbs, choose crystals, build an altar, and plan a ritual (or bake something cozy).Recorded in a brand-new gothic loft setup (with chaotic Spirit Halloween Ouija press-on nails making a surprise cameo), this episode blends historical honesty, mythic storytelling, and practical seasonal magic: Ostara’s modern roots, Eostre, the lunar timing of Easter, deity offerings, altar ideas, crystal correspondences (with a deep dive on Green Aventurine), egg + flower divination, and a Spring Cleaning oracle spread from Seasons of the Witch: Ostara Oracle.In this episode, we cover:A cozy check-in + Ashleigh’s new “Victorian nightmare” recording space (and why the audio might sound different)Wheel of the Year recap: starting back at Samhain (Oct 31) and arriving at OstaraWhat the Spring Equinox actually is (day/night balance + official start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere)A shout-out to Southern Hemisphere listeners celebrating MabonHistorical roots + modern reconstruction: Gerald Gardner, Wicca, and why Ostara isn’t as “ancient” as people assumeThe goddess Eostre/Eostra and why there’s limited historical informationEaster’s “moon math” and why it feels secretly witchy (yes, we’re talking full moon timing)Spring deities + seasonal myth:Persephone (and the return from the underworld)DemeterDionysus (vines, vitality, pleasure returning)Aphrodite + Venus (beauty, gardens, glamour magic)How to build an Ostara altar + simple offerings for each deityCrystals of Ostara: Moss Agate (or Tree Agate in a pinch), Rose Quartz, Citrine, Aquamarine, Clear QuartzGreen Aventurine deep dive: heart chakra growth, steady expansion, and “it’s safe to begin again” energyA favorite quote from Llewellyn’s Sabbat Essentials: Ostara:“We till our own internal fields and plant our own emotional, mental, spiritual, or even physical crops…”Divination for the season:Oomancy (egg divination in water—how to read shapes/strands/clusters)Floromancy (flower divination—symbolism, petals, noticing what blooms first)Spring Cleaning Spread from Seasons of the Witch: Ostara Oracle (can also be used with tarot)A live card pull: “Moon Milk” + reflection on self-ritual, pride, and celebrating your own growthClosing invocation: till your internal soil, plant wisely, tend gently… Happy OstaraThe Spring Cleaning Spread (5 cards)W
