Spring Equinox
March 20, 21, 22
Similar Celebrations: Ostara, Eostara, Alban Eilir, Hilaria
|
Recipes:
Food for a low key celebration or festive gathering: Asparagus Salad with Peas Deviled Eggs Vegetable Quiche Colcannon with Spring Greens Roast Leg of Lamb with Mint Jelly Roast Asparagus Spring Pea Salad |
About this holiday:
Many of our modern Easter traditions originate from the lore of Eostar, goddess of the dawn. She was thought roam about, disguised as a white hare, bringing spring to the lands. Colored eggs, rabbits, chicks and flowers are all symbols of spring time and the renewed fertility of the earth. Spring-Equinox is a time of innocence and potential, but also of caution and frugality. We begin planting our spring and summer gardens, whether we are starting seeds indoors or if it’s warm enough, directly into the garden. Yet there is nothing to harvest quite yet. At this stage the garden is mostly potential and hope. We place our faith in a good growing season and an abundant harvest. Spring-Equinox is a time of balance; the day and night are of equal length. We stand on the threshold between the winter’s darkness and the summer’s light. We look towards the future as we give thanks to the rest and the dreams of the darkness. The Spring-Equinox menu focuses on foods that symbolize fertility and the hope of future abundance. Little if anything is ready to harvest this time of year, so the meal often consisted of lamb and eggs and items from the root cellar. Include early spring greens like spinach, asparagus, dandelion greens or nettles. |