As we patiently wait for the Sun to awake from a Cold Winter sleep and welcome the kindred spirits back to the heartland, The Vernal Equinox / Ostara reflex’s the rebirth of the growing season and is slowly balancing the warmth of the day light with the evening skies. This is also the time for festivities for the return of Eostara the fertility Goddess.
 

Mami Wata (African) is a water spirit, sometimes described as a mermaid figure, appears in the western coastal regions and the central regions of Africa. Mami Wata has long dark hair, very fair skin and compelling eyes. Also she may appear to her devotees in their dreams and vision quest. She will walk the streets of modern African cities. Her interests are is in all things contemporary including sweets and the Pop Art culture. Mami Wata colors are red and white. Those she afflicts with visions and temptation, and who experience her as an obsession or an illness, may wear red of sickness. While others who have a positive orientation towards the spirit may show their blessing by wearing white.

Chibirias (Mayan) is one of the Mayan earth goddesses; she is the consort of the creator God, Itzam Na. She is also the mother of the Bacabs, the four Mayan attendants associated with the four compass points. Chibirias is said to have painted the earth. She is also associated with weaving and is the patron Saint of Weavers.

Ratri (Hindu) is a goddess of the bright starlit night. She drives away the dark, filling the valleys and mountain ranges with her light. This “Mother of Frost” is radiant in her splendor, possessing the grace of a youthful maiden and adorning herself in the stars of the heavens during the early moments of dawn and the closing moments of sunset. On a personal level, Ratri is very playful, certainly enjoying the air of mystery that surrounds her. She is kind, but also has a sense of humor. She loves a good secret, while she will never intentionally impede your progress, she will give you the opportunity to peel back the situation until you uncover the truth at the heart of it.

The Celtic tree calendar for the mid month of March starts with Fearn/Alders (Fair-n). Alders is a member of the Birch family, with ancient originals from the British Isles. Alders can be recognized in the forest by its long trunk and narrow crown and toothy leaves.  The bark produces red and black dyes; the young shoots, yellow; and the fresh wood produces pink, and catkins, green. Ancient warrior’s shields were made from the alder’s wood. The timber from this tree is oily and water resistant, and it is used for under water household foundations, and support beams. Many of the medieval cathedrals of Venice were built on alder foundations. The Magical properties of the alder, is drawn by Spiritual Guidance, Centering and Protection, with a sense of duty towards Mental Prowess and Weather Magic.  The Alder helps us with disputes separating issues of value from what is not. Also linking the spirit guides of the Raven and is useful in conquering adversaries or difficulties and drawing our strength from within. The Celts would often name their weapons and credit them with magical powers when they would feel threatened in battle.

In Irish lore, just shortly after the death of Saint Patrick, a tale about an evil dragon, by the name of Paisle was by His own nature, always terrorizing the region of Lough Folye.  After months of torment the local residents went to a holy man named Saint Murrough for help. The saint prayed to God for nine days and nights straight, and then he took three reed rods to Paiste lair. Paiste saw the saint coming and went out to meet him, telling him that he would be devoured.  Saint Murrough remained calm and patient throughout the encounter. He agreed to be devoured by him, if he would indulge him in one simple experiment. Paiste agreed, thinking that no harm could come to him. Saint Murrough laid three rods across the dragon’s back and prayed as he had never prayed before. By the Holy Grace of God, the three rods grew over the great dragon, binding him in bonds stronger than steel. Paiste desperately struggle to free himself from the bonds. Enraged he railed against Saint Murrough, claiming that he was unfairly tricked. The saint made the dragon promise that he would no longer harm the Children of God. Paiste agreed, if only the saint would set him free. But Saint Murrough knew that the dragon’s words cannot be trusted and he would not hold to his promise. Saint Murrough placed the dragon in the depths of Lough Foyle, where he is to be bound until the Day of Judgment, occasionally causing disturbances and odd tides and currents along the coasts of Lough Foyle.