Spiritual Cleansing:

Spring cleaning is done at this time. We create spells and make charms to clear negativity from our homes. We can also put a broom outside that will only be used for majickal use. This broom will be used to sweep away negativity.

Mundane Spring Cleaning:

This is also the time of year when people track mud in wherever they go. Messy, messy, messy!  We begin to spring clean on a more mundane level. Here are some tips for spring cleaning efforts:

* To try to prevent some of the mud from coming into our homes we can put an outside mat on my front porch, and a rug on the inside of the door. They can both be shaken outside, then the inside rug can be thrown into the wash with the towels or the rags. We can also put a broom outside the front door to sweep the porch with each day.

* Wash the windows and let the sun shine in! I don't know about your family, but we are all happier when the sun is shining bright and the curtains are open wide. It is nice to see what nature has to offer us. Throw open all of the doors and windows in your home and smell the fresh spring air.

* Wash all of the bedding, including the pillows and dust ruffles. Wash all the curtains and all of the throw pillows, blankets and rugs. Remember to also do all of the other linens. Hang them outside to dry. While you are out there, breathe in the fresh air and observe nature all around you. Stand mattresses in front of windows or outside to air, then return to the beds. This is the time to flip your mattresses for even wear.

* Now is a great time to go through our closets, cupboards, drawers, chests, cabinets and shelves. Wash the walls and shelves, and sweep and wash, or mop, the floors before putting back what you want to keep. Everything else can go to charity or be put into boxes for your next yardsale.

* Clean the stove, even the oven. And don't forget to do the range hood.

* Wash the inside and the outside of the refrigerator and the freezer.

* Wipe down the rest of the appliances in your home, large and small.

* Wipe down all of the walls, the molding, light switches and outlets.

* Vacuum any cobwebs that have been hanging around.

* Do your floors. Carpets should be vacuumed thoroughly and washed. Floors should be stripped, if necessary, then washed. Wax if needed.

Ostara Crafts

Some people love crafts. I am one of them. Here are some crafts that I have come up with specifically for Ostara. There are also a couple of egg dying sites below.

Ostara Baskets:

You can make one of these for your altar, one for a centerpiece for the dinner table and, if you choose, as many as you like to put on your peoples porches to welcome spring.

basket with handle, size of your choice

piece of fabric to fit inside of basket and hang down over the sides some

ribbon to match or contrast fabric, at least 1/2" wide

2 bows same color as ribbon

plastic or decorated eggs

small stuffed bunny or other spring animal

craft butterflies and/or bees, at least 6

glue gun

glue sticks

Wrap the ribbon from one end of the handle to the other end. Glue the ribbon at each end to the inside of the basket.

Glue a couple butterflies and/or bees around each bow.

Put the piece of fabric into the basket, then fill the basket with the eggs and the stuffed animal.

Add the remainder of the butterflies and/or bees to the filled basket.

Ostara Wreaths:

1 wreath for each door in your home

1 wreath hanger for each door in your home

1 smaller wreath for each window in your home

as many small wreaths as you want for ornaments

dried or artificial flowers, sizes and amounts according to what size wreaths you have and how many of each size

small wooden sign for each door wreath, painted in a spring color, saying something like "Happy Ostara!", "Welcome Ostara!","Happy Spring!", or "Welcome Spring!" **optional**

ribbon, colors of your choice, widths vary according to wreath sizes, as do lengths. Each wreath will be wrapped with ribbon. You will need enough ribbon for ornaments to form a hanger and tie in a bow. You will need extra length for window wreaths. Measure from where you want the top of the wreath to be in the window to the top of the curtain rod, double that length and add extra for tying in a bow.

1 bow for each wreath, size depends on size of each wreath **optional**

1 small bunny or other spring animal, or spring egg pick from the craft department, for each door and window wreath **optional**

glue gun

glue sticks

Instruction for each wreath:

Glue one end ribbon to back of wreath. Wrap ribbon around wreath as you like, then glue the other end to the back of the wreath.

Glue the sign and the bunny on the wreath where you want it.

Glue the bow on the wreath.

Tie ribbon for hanging the window and ornament wreaths to the top of the wreath, not in a bow.

Glue flowers where you like.

Glue any spring picks to the wreath.

Hang the wreaths and hangers on your doors.

Hang the window wreaths by tying the ends to the curtain rod.

Make a hanger for the ornaments by tying ribbon ends in a bow.

Decorated Eggs:

We blow the eggs out by poking small holes in the tops and bottoms of each egg, then blowing the insides out. The insides can be used in baking or to make scrambled eggs.

Eggs

glitter

glue

paints

brushes

dyes (see below)

stickers

Decorate each egg as you like.

Paint pentagrams and pentacles on some for your altar.

Here are a couple of sites that explain egg dying and give information on how to make each color.

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