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Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials
Ostara: Rituals, Recipes & Lore for the Spring Equinox
Celebrate the season of returning sunlight and the bursting forth of the birds, bees, and trees
Ostara—also known as the Spring Equinox—is a time of renewal, a time to plant seeds as the earth once again comes to life. This guide to the history and modern celebrations of Ostara shows you how to perform rituals and work magic to renew your power and passion for living and growing. Rituals Recipes Lore Spells Divination Crafts Correspondences Invocations Prayers Meditations
Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials explore the old and new ways of celebrating the seasonal rites that are the cornerstones of the witch's year.
Ostara—also known as the Spring Equinox—is a time of renewal, a time to plant seeds as the earth once again comes to life. This guide to the history and modern celebrations of Ostara shows you how to perform rituals and work magic to renew your power and passion for living and growing. Rituals Recipes Lore Spells Divination Crafts Correspondences Invocations Prayers Meditations
Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials explore the old and new ways of celebrating the seasonal rites that are the cornerstones of the witch's year.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
173 people are currently reading
1411 people want to read
About the author
Kerri Connor
22 books64 followersKerri Connor is the author of The Weed Witch's Journal, Conjuring with Cannabis, Spells for Good Times, CBD for Your Health, Mind and Spirit, 420 Meditations: Enhance Your Spiritual Practice with Cannabis (Llewellyn Worldwide), Wake, Bake & Meditate: Take Your Spiritual Practice to a Higher Level with Cannabis (Llewellyn Worldwide), Spells for Tough Times (Llewellyn Worldwide), The Pocket Spell Creator: Magickal References at Your Fingertips (New Page Books), The Pocket Guide to Rituals: Magickal References at Your Fingertips (New Page Books), and The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Potions (Alpha Books).
She has been published in several magazines and newsletters including The Blessed Bee, Sage Woman, PanGaia and New Witch and a dozen of Llewellyn's annuals.
www.kerriconnor.com
She has been published in several magazines and newsletters including The Blessed Bee, Sage Woman, PanGaia and New Witch and a dozen of Llewellyn's annuals.
www.kerriconnor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
March 13, 2021
The truth is, our pagan ancestors likely didn't celebrate anything around Ostara, being busy getting agricultural stuff done, so there's objectively not much to say on the subject. This author chose two main themes to concentrate on: balance and new beginnings. Now, I am weary of the neo-pagan tendency to imply new beginnings at every sabbat. It is, of course, appropriate at times, but how are we going to finish anything if we keep starting new things all the time? So, as I was planning around Yule and starting stuff around Imbolc, I feel I need to go on with this to give it a chance, not meditate on the changes I want to invite etc. I am not that sure about balance either, since of course, I prefer to have more of the good stuff over the bad stuff, - so the meditations and rituals were useless to me.
As in a lot of books of this series, the activities vary between preposterous and insulting. Consider these examples:
It actually makes me ashamed of having spent hard-earned money on this.
Now, this is downright unethical, isn't it?
I particularly enjoyed this one:
Great, well, I think one can find anything online, why bother buying a book, then?
But this is the best:
...and also attracts ants wonderfully, who will then see to destroying your gardening areas.
Why am I jeering? Because if one wants to find something on neo-pagan Ostara, this is the book that pops up in the search first, Llewellyn being what it is. And I do not want anybody non-pagan to read this book and imagine pagans as a bunch of idiots who are skipping on eggs (with eggs between their thighs, too, probably).
The editing, as usual, looks like it just wasn't done.
The correspondences are quite adequate and useful, only very much available elsewhere, so they don't make this book worth buying. ('You can find instructions on the Internet', remember).
Ok, now for the plus side: some of the recipes are vegan-friendly. There!
As in a lot of books of this series, the activities vary between preposterous and insulting. Consider these examples:
'You may have people carry the egg between their thighs, where they have to be careful not to squeeze hard enough to break it, but they do have to squeeze hard enough not to drop it.'
It actually makes me ashamed of having spent hard-earned money on this.
'Fill an area (preferably outdoors in the grass) with eggs scattered about and then dance in that same area while trying to avoid destroying the eggs.'
Now, this is downright unethical, isn't it?
I particularly enjoyed this one:
'You may want to try a more traditional approach and use foods and plants to make your own natural colorings. You can find instructions on the Internet on how to do this.'
Great, well, I think one can find anything online, why bother buying a book, then?
But this is the best:
'Pouring honey or syrup into the ground around gardening areas makes an excellent offering to the deities...'
...and also attracts ants wonderfully, who will then see to destroying your gardening areas.
Why am I jeering? Because if one wants to find something on neo-pagan Ostara, this is the book that pops up in the search first, Llewellyn being what it is. And I do not want anybody non-pagan to read this book and imagine pagans as a bunch of idiots who are skipping on eggs (with eggs between their thighs, too, probably).
The editing, as usual, looks like it just wasn't done.
The correspondences are quite adequate and useful, only very much available elsewhere, so they don't make this book worth buying. ('You can find instructions on the Internet', remember).
Ok, now for the plus side: some of the recipes are vegan-friendly. There!
June 16, 2025
Kerri Connor’s “Llewellyn’s Sabbat Essentials. Ostara: Rituals, Recipes & Lore for the Spring Equinox” is a concise celebratory guide to the holiday of Ostara. Connor provides some excellent historical information on Ostara.
The author includes a lot of really creative ideas for families to celebrate. For example, the ‘Ostara Book Terrarium’. I’ve never heard of anyone using a real book for a terrarium, and her idea really sparked my interest.
Another thing that I really liked was the author’s DIY guided meditations. Connor even provided the words for two meditations, allowing readers to record their own voices using the pre-written text. I thought that this was a fantastic addition.
Connor included numerous spells, among them was the “Egg Cleansing and Divination” spell. In this spell, the author states that,
“…You need to be careful of this person, forgive them, and work your cleansings and protections…” (pg. 65).
A word about forgiveness. Some people think that forgiveness is absolutely necessary in order to ‘move on’. The idea that people absolutely **have** to forgive another person—regardless of whether or not the offender actually regrets or changes their behavior—is an essential part of Catholic and Christian dogma. In Judaism and in other religions, forgiveness is a personal choice, not a requirement of ‘right’ living for an individual. Forgiveness in many religions is an act of reconciliation among two living humans; no person can forgive someone of their crimes except for the individual that they hurt. Among Catholics and Christians, however, forgiveness is often a solitary act and a requirement, even if an unscrupulous offender can avoid personal responsibility (and unfortunately often does) by simply stating that ‘Jesus forgives me’ because they’re ‘covered with his blood’ and ‘Jesus died for me.’
Human beings—all human beings—are not REQUIRED to forgive ANYONE. Forgiveness is more than just a choice and can sometimes take many years, a lifetime, or may never occur at all. And while some religions, or even society itself, may pressure or attempt to guilt-trip someone into forgiveness, until amends are made and the sufferer can finally make inward peace, then the act of forgiveness (whether public or private) is nothing more than theatric performativity.
So, given that this book is geared towards Pagans, I question if the “…forgive them…” section even needs to be included in the spell. Certainly, if readers decide to do so, they can omit these words on their own. But as a book written for the Pagan community, the subject of ‘forgiveness’ should be discussed in more depth if a writer is going to tell people to do it.
Overall, this book provides some really fantastic ideas for holiday celebration, and is a quick and easy read.
The author includes a lot of really creative ideas for families to celebrate. For example, the ‘Ostara Book Terrarium’. I’ve never heard of anyone using a real book for a terrarium, and her idea really sparked my interest.
Another thing that I really liked was the author’s DIY guided meditations. Connor even provided the words for two meditations, allowing readers to record their own voices using the pre-written text. I thought that this was a fantastic addition.
Connor included numerous spells, among them was the “Egg Cleansing and Divination” spell. In this spell, the author states that,
“…You need to be careful of this person, forgive them, and work your cleansings and protections…” (pg. 65).
A word about forgiveness. Some people think that forgiveness is absolutely necessary in order to ‘move on’. The idea that people absolutely **have** to forgive another person—regardless of whether or not the offender actually regrets or changes their behavior—is an essential part of Catholic and Christian dogma. In Judaism and in other religions, forgiveness is a personal choice, not a requirement of ‘right’ living for an individual. Forgiveness in many religions is an act of reconciliation among two living humans; no person can forgive someone of their crimes except for the individual that they hurt. Among Catholics and Christians, however, forgiveness is often a solitary act and a requirement, even if an unscrupulous offender can avoid personal responsibility (and unfortunately often does) by simply stating that ‘Jesus forgives me’ because they’re ‘covered with his blood’ and ‘Jesus died for me.’
Human beings—all human beings—are not REQUIRED to forgive ANYONE. Forgiveness is more than just a choice and can sometimes take many years, a lifetime, or may never occur at all. And while some religions, or even society itself, may pressure or attempt to guilt-trip someone into forgiveness, until amends are made and the sufferer can finally make inward peace, then the act of forgiveness (whether public or private) is nothing more than theatric performativity.
So, given that this book is geared towards Pagans, I question if the “…forgive them…” section even needs to be included in the spell. Certainly, if readers decide to do so, they can omit these words on their own. But as a book written for the Pagan community, the subject of ‘forgiveness’ should be discussed in more depth if a writer is going to tell people to do it.
Overall, this book provides some really fantastic ideas for holiday celebration, and is a quick and easy read.
March 12, 2024
Reread a 2nd time March 2024 because reasons
Initial read in March of 2019 below
Another wonderful little book in the Sabbat series, this one focusing on Ostara!
Simply a little over-view with something for everyone. It's not strictly Wiccan (though Wiccans can certainly use it too). The same chapters as before (Old Ways, New Ways, Spells and Divination, Recipes & Crafts, Prayers & Invocations, and Rituals of Celebration along with Correspondences for Ostara). Wonderfully organized and easy to follow.
I enjoy learning some stuff I hadn't known as well as annotating stuff I can use in my own practice and spirituality.
Initial read in March of 2019 below
Another wonderful little book in the Sabbat series, this one focusing on Ostara!
Simply a little over-view with something for everyone. It's not strictly Wiccan (though Wiccans can certainly use it too). The same chapters as before (Old Ways, New Ways, Spells and Divination, Recipes & Crafts, Prayers & Invocations, and Rituals of Celebration along with Correspondences for Ostara). Wonderfully organized and easy to follow.
I enjoy learning some stuff I hadn't known as well as annotating stuff I can use in my own practice and spirituality.
January 5, 2015
Disclaimer: This ARC was given to me for free in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley.
I really liked the fact that this was not just a Wiccan book, and that it focused on Neo-Paganism views on the holiday as well.
I liked how some of the recipes were vegetarian friendly.
There was a little bit of everything for everyone.
I wish there was a bit more advanced information, I felt like I didn't learn anything I didn't read before or researched before.
I recommend this as a good starting place for new neo-pagans, since it feels like a compilation of information in one book.
Also, the cover is cute. It really stands out among other witchy books.
I really liked the fact that this was not just a Wiccan book, and that it focused on Neo-Paganism views on the holiday as well.
I liked how some of the recipes were vegetarian friendly.
There was a little bit of everything for everyone.
I wish there was a bit more advanced information, I felt like I didn't learn anything I didn't read before or researched before.
I recommend this as a good starting place for new neo-pagans, since it feels like a compilation of information in one book.
Also, the cover is cute. It really stands out among other witchy books.
April 10, 2023
4,5 stars.
I love the design and the cute illustrations of the book. It was my first book of the Sabbat Essential series and I'll read the other ones over the next year.
I liked the chapter on the old and new ways to celebrate it, the rituals and meditations and that they included vegan recipes as well.
It's all very basic and short (so some things could potentially be a bit misleading for beginners, because there isn't given more context), but a good introduction and a good book to go back to for inspiration over coming years.
I love the design and the cute illustrations of the book. It was my first book of the Sabbat Essential series and I'll read the other ones over the next year.
I liked the chapter on the old and new ways to celebrate it, the rituals and meditations and that they included vegan recipes as well.
It's all very basic and short (so some things could potentially be a bit misleading for beginners, because there isn't given more context), but a good introduction and a good book to go back to for inspiration over coming years.
April 23, 2020
Der Teil der sich mit dem alten Volksglauben zur Frühlingstag- und Nachtgleiche beschäftigt ist ganz gut recherchiert vor allem im Hinblick darauf, dass es für Ostara weniger gesicherte Quellen gibt als für andere heidnische Feste. Für mich persönlich war es auch der Teil der mich am allermeisten interessiert hat. Leider war er eben auch relativ kurz. Die Rituale bzw. Traditionen die hier vorgestellt werden waren nichts Neues, zumindest im deutschen/mitteleuropäischen Raum sind diese kleinen Traditionen über die Jahrhunderte und Jahrtausende erhalten geblieben. Dass ich sowas wie Eier auspusten und bemalen dermaßen ausführlich, als wäre es eine total neue Sache zum Ausprobieren überhaupt als Tipp in einem Buch zu Ostara finde, fand ich schon etwas dämlich. Das Büchlein bezieht sich aber auch hauptsächlich auf den amerikanischen Raum und bleibt damit für Europäer sehr oberflächlich.
Ganz nett wenn man sich für Volksglauben und -mythen, Heidentum oder Paganismus interessiert und noch sehr wenig darüber weiß. Wenn man aber bereits gesteigertes Grundwissen hat und zusätzlich Europäer ist, findet man hier fast nur Altbekanntes.
Ganz nett wenn man sich für Volksglauben und -mythen, Heidentum oder Paganismus interessiert und noch sehr wenig darüber weiß. Wenn man aber bereits gesteigertes Grundwissen hat und zusätzlich Europäer ist, findet man hier fast nur Altbekanntes.
December 23, 2014
Part of Llewellyn’s Sabbat Essentials series, Ostara focuses on the early spring festival of renewal and regeneration. First, however, you must slog your way through a general history of the wheel of the year and how this wheel effects modern neo-pagans throughout the year and the differences between the Northern and Southern Hemisphere versions of it. This information, very introductory and likely common knowledge to any neo-pagan reading the book, drags the text down right from the start. I was bored with it before I even got to the paragraphs telling me what kind of information I would find in the book I was about to read.
Ostara then proceeds to tell us the history of the holiday initially by repeating several paragraphs of material from the introduction before moving on into a scholarly discussion of the background and development of Ostara as a pagan holiday. For a supposedly ancient holiday, the fact that this is an ancient celebration is repeated several times, it seems strange that all the written information or references to it begin in the 8th century in illuminated manuscripts with no references discovered in any ancient sites or more ancient texts of which we have fragments or whole manuscripts. Then, in a dramatic shift, the author turns around and says it was all Gerald Gardner’s idea. Excuse my sarcasm, but I’m beginning to think anything with neo-pagan festivals is solely Gerald Garnder’s idea or, if writers can’t come up with something to say ‘yes, that’s where it started’ in archaeology, they blame him for inventing it. Three paragraphs later, once again Ostara is an ancient festival from Ireland. Yes, if you can’t tell, I got rather frustrated rather fast with the almost schizophrenic shifts back and forth on the history of the holiday especially when the author attempted to link Ostara to all sorts of other ancient fertility rites which conveniently happened in the early to mid-spring.
After the historic ramble comes a ramble on the status of the holiday among modern neo-pagan groups and, strangely enough, the general public. A long discourse follows basically connecting all sorts of modern events, holidays, illness and cures to the return of spring. After reading this book, I have to wonder if when they get around to a book on Lammas the eventual author will try to make football into a modern harvest rite! Needless to say, my enthusiasm for this book bombed out long before I reached the spell section which also underwhelmed me with long lengthy explanations and bits of modern poetry as “spells” for things you might want to do in the spring – cleansing, mediation, renewal, attracting love, divination – though for some reason the Ostara rituals were tucked away at the very end of the book and were quite lengthy even for a solitary. In reading them, they seemed familiar and I wonder if they were adapted from something previously published elsewhere. The best part was the recipes and crafts section. The recipes were healthy and sounded delicious though many of the ingredients were not available currently for me so I was unable to try them out. The crafts were simple for the most part and suitable for someone to do with their children.
In the end, this book had its highs and lows for me. I believe it is best suited for someone new to the neo-pagan movement or who is just started to develop a library of material of their own. It is very introductory, if lengthy and repetitive in many places. Much of the material could have been edited to eliminate the repetition and contradictions in the text. Still, for what it is, it’s not the worst book out there nor is it the best.
Book received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ostara then proceeds to tell us the history of the holiday initially by repeating several paragraphs of material from the introduction before moving on into a scholarly discussion of the background and development of Ostara as a pagan holiday. For a supposedly ancient holiday, the fact that this is an ancient celebration is repeated several times, it seems strange that all the written information or references to it begin in the 8th century in illuminated manuscripts with no references discovered in any ancient sites or more ancient texts of which we have fragments or whole manuscripts. Then, in a dramatic shift, the author turns around and says it was all Gerald Gardner’s idea. Excuse my sarcasm, but I’m beginning to think anything with neo-pagan festivals is solely Gerald Garnder’s idea or, if writers can’t come up with something to say ‘yes, that’s where it started’ in archaeology, they blame him for inventing it. Three paragraphs later, once again Ostara is an ancient festival from Ireland. Yes, if you can’t tell, I got rather frustrated rather fast with the almost schizophrenic shifts back and forth on the history of the holiday especially when the author attempted to link Ostara to all sorts of other ancient fertility rites which conveniently happened in the early to mid-spring.
After the historic ramble comes a ramble on the status of the holiday among modern neo-pagan groups and, strangely enough, the general public. A long discourse follows basically connecting all sorts of modern events, holidays, illness and cures to the return of spring. After reading this book, I have to wonder if when they get around to a book on Lammas the eventual author will try to make football into a modern harvest rite! Needless to say, my enthusiasm for this book bombed out long before I reached the spell section which also underwhelmed me with long lengthy explanations and bits of modern poetry as “spells” for things you might want to do in the spring – cleansing, mediation, renewal, attracting love, divination – though for some reason the Ostara rituals were tucked away at the very end of the book and were quite lengthy even for a solitary. In reading them, they seemed familiar and I wonder if they were adapted from something previously published elsewhere. The best part was the recipes and crafts section. The recipes were healthy and sounded delicious though many of the ingredients were not available currently for me so I was unable to try them out. The crafts were simple for the most part and suitable for someone to do with their children.
In the end, this book had its highs and lows for me. I believe it is best suited for someone new to the neo-pagan movement or who is just started to develop a library of material of their own. It is very introductory, if lengthy and repetitive in many places. Much of the material could have been edited to eliminate the repetition and contradictions in the text. Still, for what it is, it’s not the worst book out there nor is it the best.
Book received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 13, 2023
This book was so hard to read! Ostara is a very highly debated sabbat as there isn’t any concrete evidence of it being celebrated by ancient pagans, only the equinox. Bede mentions feasts being held in Eostre’s honor, but nothing of hares or eggs, though most believe Bede made the goddess up. Writings of Eostre were not seen until a few hundred years ago, post Grimm brothers, leading most to believe the goddess is apart of folklore, but most likely where Ostara originated and evolved to what we know today.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that the author included the different beliefs of all peoples and religions around spring. This gives someone who knows nothing about Ostara and the holidays celebrated around the spring equinox more depth on the subject and how this sabbat could have originated and what contributed to the celebration, but I have found and read better information elsewhere.
The writing style is terrible and very clearly no editing was done. The assumption Connor has of the reader having children is odd. The ways in which the author recommends to celebrate Ostara are laughable. It feels like she has never celebrated Ostara before, panicked, and google threw up all over this book. Constantly referring to “a quick internet search” and clearly isn’t confident about what she’s written.
The spells were subpar. Felt rushed and were all over the place, as if she pulled something from Pinterest. There’s a love spell that’s better suited for Valentine’s Day or Lupercalia but even then, still not great…
A decent amount of recipes. She at least stayed on theme and the foods are in season.
Crafts were minimal. Not described well but the idea of them was cute.
The prayers and invocations part of the book should have been relabeled meditations. Also not related to Ostara… Offerings she referenced an outdoor alter with food. Horrible idea.
Rituals seemed like an odd Christian prayer spin off. She mentioned use of sage, which should be replaced with other herbs that aren’t used for closed practice and because white sage is endangered.
The correspondences for Ostara seemed to be her best section because it was all in a list format.
Connor focused on balance and renewal throughout the entirety of the book.
Ostara is about springs arrival/equinox, fertility of all forms, and the amalgamation of witch traditions from many cultures. Yet, this felt more geared toward Easter.
Why did she refer to the fae as “fey”?! This irked me.
Annoyed I spent money on this and that Llewellyn including this author in the sabbat essentials books. This has been the only sabbat book from this collection I was disappointed with. This book was honestly like reading a horrible high school essay the student realized was due the next day.
The highlight of this book was the illustrations. The artist did a fantastic job.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that the author included the different beliefs of all peoples and religions around spring. This gives someone who knows nothing about Ostara and the holidays celebrated around the spring equinox more depth on the subject and how this sabbat could have originated and what contributed to the celebration, but I have found and read better information elsewhere.
The writing style is terrible and very clearly no editing was done. The assumption Connor has of the reader having children is odd. The ways in which the author recommends to celebrate Ostara are laughable. It feels like she has never celebrated Ostara before, panicked, and google threw up all over this book. Constantly referring to “a quick internet search” and clearly isn’t confident about what she’s written.
The spells were subpar. Felt rushed and were all over the place, as if she pulled something from Pinterest. There’s a love spell that’s better suited for Valentine’s Day or Lupercalia but even then, still not great…
A decent amount of recipes. She at least stayed on theme and the foods are in season.
Crafts were minimal. Not described well but the idea of them was cute.
The prayers and invocations part of the book should have been relabeled meditations. Also not related to Ostara… Offerings she referenced an outdoor alter with food. Horrible idea.
Rituals seemed like an odd Christian prayer spin off. She mentioned use of sage, which should be replaced with other herbs that aren’t used for closed practice and because white sage is endangered.
The correspondences for Ostara seemed to be her best section because it was all in a list format.
Connor focused on balance and renewal throughout the entirety of the book.
Ostara is about springs arrival/equinox, fertility of all forms, and the amalgamation of witch traditions from many cultures. Yet, this felt more geared toward Easter.
Why did she refer to the fae as “fey”?! This irked me.
Annoyed I spent money on this and that Llewellyn including this author in the sabbat essentials books. This has been the only sabbat book from this collection I was disappointed with. This book was honestly like reading a horrible high school essay the student realized was due the next day.
The highlight of this book was the illustrations. The artist did a fantastic job.
May 21, 2015
Ostara is the first of the Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials that I received to review. This reference book is in a very easy navigate format, with just six simple chapters: Old Ways, New Ways, Spells & Divination, Recipes & Crafts, Prayers & Invocations, and Rituals of Celebration.
The first section, "Old Ways", explains the historical context and more anciently tied traditions of the sabbat. The section of "New Ways" offers more modern day ways to connect to the holiday, like gardening or taking walks or meditation. Things that you can do in your daily life, without a lot of difficulty or struggle. It also suggests places to visit and places to go so you're out in the wonderful springtime.
The "Spells & Divination" chapter contains just that- spells and divination tips and ideas. Some of these include a spell to assist in difficult changes, and a Spring is in the Air Love Attraction Spell. These are written in step by step format, and include lists of the things you will need to follow them. There are also prayers and words to say included. These serve as good jumping off points for beginners to the path. This is expanded on within the "Prayers and Invocations" section as well.
The "Recipes and Crafts" section, again, includes just what you'd think. Some of the recipes included in this book are Mint Lamb Chops and Hot Cross buns. They're short and relatively simple recipes, with the steps written in more of a paragraph format as opposed to a step-by-step list. There are desserts, drinks, and meals for both vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Crafts include Eggshell Plant Pots and Painted Garden Stones. These are largely family friendly and relatively easy crafts that are a fun way to spend the day. I'm not the craftiest person, so I was happy to see that these are things that (I think) I can actually do.
The last chapter, "Rituals of Celebration" includes a ritual for a solitary practitioner, one designed for two people, and one designed for a group.
All in all, I think this is a great place to start as a beginner, or a relatively quick way to brush up on things if you're not in the regular study habit. Reading this book made me request the next book in the series.
I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This review can also be found on my blog, Bitches n Prose.
The first section, "Old Ways", explains the historical context and more anciently tied traditions of the sabbat. The section of "New Ways" offers more modern day ways to connect to the holiday, like gardening or taking walks or meditation. Things that you can do in your daily life, without a lot of difficulty or struggle. It also suggests places to visit and places to go so you're out in the wonderful springtime.
The "Spells & Divination" chapter contains just that- spells and divination tips and ideas. Some of these include a spell to assist in difficult changes, and a Spring is in the Air Love Attraction Spell. These are written in step by step format, and include lists of the things you will need to follow them. There are also prayers and words to say included. These serve as good jumping off points for beginners to the path. This is expanded on within the "Prayers and Invocations" section as well.
The "Recipes and Crafts" section, again, includes just what you'd think. Some of the recipes included in this book are Mint Lamb Chops and Hot Cross buns. They're short and relatively simple recipes, with the steps written in more of a paragraph format as opposed to a step-by-step list. There are desserts, drinks, and meals for both vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Crafts include Eggshell Plant Pots and Painted Garden Stones. These are largely family friendly and relatively easy crafts that are a fun way to spend the day. I'm not the craftiest person, so I was happy to see that these are things that (I think) I can actually do.
The last chapter, "Rituals of Celebration" includes a ritual for a solitary practitioner, one designed for two people, and one designed for a group.
All in all, I think this is a great place to start as a beginner, or a relatively quick way to brush up on things if you're not in the regular study habit. Reading this book made me request the next book in the series.
I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This review can also be found on my blog, Bitches n Prose.
May 7, 2019
Another solid, basic introduction to Ostara in the Llewellyn Sabbat series.
One thing bugged me though -- the author encourages the use of glitter in a few spells, and at one point advises the reader to "scoop up handfuls of petals glitter and throw them as high as you can into the air" while doing the spell outside.
Don't do this! This is littering! Glitter is often plastic or metallic and is not recycled or recyclable! If you throw a bunch of standard glitter from the craft store around a natural place, you are introducing a pollutant into your natural place, and one that many a creature will consume to their detriment. DON'T THROW GLITTER OUTSIDE.
It would have been one thing if Connor had explicitly said "use only biodegradable glitter for this, as most glitters are pollutants" -- biodegradable glitter exists, you can buy it off Amazon -- which would be appropriate not only for nature-based work, but particulalry for Ostara, which is a celebration of springtime returning to the natural world.
I can't believe this has to be called out. Don't litter. Don't throw glitter around outside like an asshole.
One thing bugged me though -- the author encourages the use of glitter in a few spells, and at one point advises the reader to "scoop up handfuls of petals glitter and throw them as high as you can into the air" while doing the spell outside.
Don't do this! This is littering! Glitter is often plastic or metallic and is not recycled or recyclable! If you throw a bunch of standard glitter from the craft store around a natural place, you are introducing a pollutant into your natural place, and one that many a creature will consume to their detriment. DON'T THROW GLITTER OUTSIDE.
It would have been one thing if Connor had explicitly said "use only biodegradable glitter for this, as most glitters are pollutants" -- biodegradable glitter exists, you can buy it off Amazon -- which would be appropriate not only for nature-based work, but particulalry for Ostara, which is a celebration of springtime returning to the natural world.
I can't believe this has to be called out. Don't litter. Don't throw glitter around outside like an asshole.
September 27, 2024
This book is repetitive, with grammatical errors and poor sentence structure. Some rituals - taking up pages and pages - are offered three times with the same wording and only very minor changes to reflect single, duo or group practice. I was most looking forward to the crafts but quickly got turned off by the liberal use of environmentally-unfriendly glitter - especially when the author suggests pelting people, indoors or out, with glitter-filled egg bombs. Hard pass.
March 22, 2024
Personally I enjoyed this book, it's not my favourite in the series but it holds good info. I like how the author makes it clear that there is little to no evidence of Ostara being celebrated by our pagan ancestors.
There were a few parts I didn't particularly enjoy such as the pages dedicated to games with eggs.
There were a few parts I didn't particularly enjoy such as the pages dedicated to games with eggs.
January 18, 2021
La entrada de la primavera y todo su significado se encuentran este libro con la celebración de ostara. Encuentras sus principales características como rituales, deidades, alimentos, símbolos que lo representan, etc. Muy interesante!
April 13, 2017
Of the Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials books that I've read so far, I liked the Ostara book the best. I love that the book isn't entirely wiccan and that the author addressed the whole Eostre problem from a historical stand point rather than stating it as fact. I also loved that she explained a lot of the correspondences, especially the deities, and why they correspond with the sabbat rather than just listing them and asking the reader to just take their word.
I will say, however, this book (like the rest in this series) is geared towards beginners, so there won't be a lot of new information for more advanced practitioners, except maybe some new ideas for meals or meditations. With this in mind, I really do wish the series would include some more subtle rituals that learning pagans could do if either they're living situation doesn't permit elaborate rituals/spell work or they just want to ease into it.
Beginner and discreet/subtle rituals/spell work is something that I have long felt is really missing in the pagan literature that is available, and a series geared towards beginners should be a perfect place for it. I just think it's a missed opportunity.
I will say, however, this book (like the rest in this series) is geared towards beginners, so there won't be a lot of new information for more advanced practitioners, except maybe some new ideas for meals or meditations. With this in mind, I really do wish the series would include some more subtle rituals that learning pagans could do if either they're living situation doesn't permit elaborate rituals/spell work or they just want to ease into it.
Beginner and discreet/subtle rituals/spell work is something that I have long felt is really missing in the pagan literature that is available, and a series geared towards beginners should be a perfect place for it. I just think it's a missed opportunity.
March 4, 2015
I feel very disappointed by this book. I picked it up hoping for a very detailed and rich book about the Ostara holiday with lots of crafts, recipes, spells, etc. There aren't many books solely dedicated to just Ostara so I thought this would be excellent. It was however very small, lacked a lot of inspiration, and felt thrown together. I'm still giving this book 3 stars because the recipes and crafts included were very good and I enjoyed reading the book! ... I just don't think there was enough included and it was TOO short. The old and new ways/lore section was pretty bland, the ritual walkthrough didn't feel like a Wiccan walkthrough at all and isn't something I would use ever, and there were basically no spells appropriate for the holiday included.
For being a new series supposedly dedicated to the Sabbats I was disappointed and I'm left wondering if I should bother reading the rest of the series at this point.
For being a new series supposedly dedicated to the Sabbats I was disappointed and I'm left wondering if I should bother reading the rest of the series at this point.
April 23, 2023
Uważam, że to bardzo dobra pozycja wprowadzająca do tematyki pogańskiej. Doświadczeni poganie z pewnością posiadają wiedze zawartą w „Ostarze” jednak sądzę, że książki takie jak ta, przedstawiające temat w sposób przychylny, prosty i skonkretyzowany, są potrzebne. Ludzie interesujący się tą tematyką i dopiero w nią „wchodzący” nie będą raczej zachęceni zaczynając gromadzenie wiedzy o tematach około pogańskich od takich pozycji jak na przykład „Historia Magii” Leviego. Potrzeba zatem książek prostszych, schematycznych i zahaczających o wiele kwestii, przynajmniej moim zdaniem. Człowiek, którego taka porcja wiedzy w zupełności zadowoli, poszerzy w pewien sposób horyzonty, a taki który będzie chciał bardziej zgłębiać temat, nie zostanie ową pozycją zniechęcony. Książka spełnia swoją funkcję, a jej tytuł odpowiada poruszanej tematyce. 4,5/5 lub 9/10, ponieważ personalnie dodałabym więcej o historii i odjęła kilka przepisów.
March 11, 2020
I never leave reviews but I have been buying each one and there is something so off about this author. Each book has a different one but this one made me feel so weird and that the holiday was actually dumb. I don’t know how to describe it. I am returning it.
March 18, 2020
I started with Beltane and I really enjoyed the book, now I’m reading following the Wheel of the Year, so Ostara is my 2nd book of the series... I thought that I could learn something new and I ended up disappointed. I don’t recommend, even for beginners.
March 11, 2021
There were so many activities using eggs and egg shells. I eat eggs for breakfast every day, after reading that section, I couldn’t bring myself to make eggs this morning.
I did find the information about Ēostre interesting though, had no idea she wasn’t a thing.
I did find the information about Ēostre interesting though, had no idea she wasn’t a thing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2024
Always such a nice read to refresh myself on the seasons and sabbats. 🌝🌞🐣
March 11, 2024
Definitely don't listen to the audiobook version! 🙉 The narrator tells you to grab a pen and paper before Every. Single. Recipe. ...or craft, or prayer, so you can write it down line by line. Even though you can obviously pause the recording (and replay it if needed), she leaves a lengthy pause, recaps the ingredients again, and then asks, "Ready? Let's go!" Over and over again. 🤦♀️
I did appreciate that the author didn't try to invent historical lore that doesn't exist and was honest about Ostara being a modern celebration. There are a few recipes here that I would try and I liked that she suggested ways be of service in the community for spring. The correspondences section was my favourite part.
I did appreciate that the author didn't try to invent historical lore that doesn't exist and was honest about Ostara being a modern celebration. There are a few recipes here that I would try and I liked that she suggested ways be of service in the community for spring. The correspondences section was my favourite part.
March 17, 2023
It really gives you an over view especially as a beginner but I Just find some reccomendations Not fitting into my craft but that is what I love you can Just leave out whatever parts don't fit you so it's perfect for Inspiration Just you've got to bitte through a lot of history which is also neccisarry but a little confusing in order (in General the order of the Informations is not the best but once you've got a grip it's good)
4 stars out of 5 :)
4 stars out of 5 :)
March 18, 2024
Enjoyed learning about the equinox. I get that this is contested sabbat but as I'm not really "pagan" but instead enjoy celebrating earth and nature etc I don't mind. I like the idea of balance and new beginnings as we feel that anyway. I think if you want some heavy hitting info this isn't it, it's just a fun look.
February 18, 2025
5⭐
📖 physical book
"Everything has its opposite, just as the day has the night. Everything in your life has its opposite, too. The work you do has to be counteracted with play. The taking with giving. The bad times with good. If you have too much of one thing and not enough of it's counterpart, you are not in balance." pgs.135-136
📖 physical book
"Everything has its opposite, just as the day has the night. Everything in your life has its opposite, too. The work you do has to be counteracted with play. The taking with giving. The bad times with good. If you have too much of one thing and not enough of it's counterpart, you are not in balance." pgs.135-136
March 18, 2021
Un bon livre pour commencer à célébrer le sabbat et en apprendre plus ! J'y ai pris pleins de notes et ça se lit super facilement :)
April 28, 2021
Another great resource on the sabbats from the Llewelyn series. I always love the recipes and craft ideas I get from these.
August 3, 2021
Très intéressant pour connaître l'histoire des célébrations c'est très bien documenté ! Pas trop fan du côté rituel cependant.
March 28, 2023
I really enjoyed the history of Ostara. I listened to this on Audible, and while the narrator was wonderful - I think this would be a better book to hold in your hand and read. The bit about glitter made me laugh.
I am curious about the other books in the series.
I am curious about the other books in the series.
February 21, 2021
Lovely reference and guide to Ostara and similar festivities/traditions around the world to celebrate Spring and life anew!
March 15, 2021
this is a nice book - i like the explanations of the whys and hows of this holiday. i think it can be applicable to a number of paths/traditions. good craft ideas. great for families.
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