Color of the day: Amber Incense of the day: Frankincense Incense of the day: Frankincense The Christian feast of Easter, which is held in the spring, has retained the name of an Anglo-Saxon goddess who may have been associated with the spring season. This is the goddess Eostre, whose name is connected to the word for "east," and probably also to the concept of dawn. Springtime, dawn, and the New Moon are often associated with growth and new beginnings. Elsewhere in the Germanic world, a goddess known as Erce was invoked for the abundance of the land, and these two goddesses may be connected. Here is part of an ancient magical invocation to the Earth goddess in spring: Erce, Erce, Erce, Mother of Earth, Fields growing and flourishing, Bringing forth and strengthening Bright fruits and wide barley-crops. Hail to you, Earth, Mother of human beings. May you spring up in the Embrace of the Sky God And be filled with food For the use of mortals. |