vernal equinox

My pagan friends and I celebrated Ostara on Sunday afternoon with egg decorating, ritual, and potluck.

The holiday is about the growing signs of spring, signs of light and new life, and balance - inspired by the vernal equinox - balance of light and dark, of masculine and feminine, and balance in our lives.

Our circle was surprised, interrupted and expanded when L and Little N showed up.  (They thought it was time to bring me home.)  They were welcomed warmly into the circle and joined the ritual.

I was alarmed by their arrival.  What if Little N misbehaved and disrupted everyone?  What if L judged us to be silly and irrelevant?  But my fears were misplaced.

Little N enjoyed the circle, the doggie sitting with us, the bubbling fountain in the corner, the repetition of key words.  L shared an insight into himself and this transition in his life that I may not have heard otherwise.  I let go, a little, of the control that I craved and enjoyed my family, and let my family be enjoyed by others.

L and Little N brought balance to the circle - male to female, child to adults, and disarming my own defensive posture.   We all received a good gift.  And I am grateful.

L mentioned later, "I'm glad that Little N's first experience with Easter Eggs was at a pagan ritual.  That's where they really come from."  And kiddo seems to really like them too!