#ēostre

[onenakedfarmer]

Daily Painting

Artist Unknown THE LORD AND SAVIOR OF AMERICAN CHRISTIANS - DONALD J. TRUMP, KING OF THE THIEVES

[child-of-frigg]

Ostara/Ēostre: The Spring Equinox and The Sun Goddess Héwsōs.

The Spring Equinox like many other Solar and Lunar events, was a significant marker as to the passage of time for the Northern tribes. On this day the sun rises and sets directly from east to west in the Northern hemisphere, marking a significant change in weather as summer quickly approaches and the sun begins to thaw the frozen ground. The deity associated with the Spring Equinox is now commonly referred to as Ostara or Ēostre, this was not always the case though.

Saint Bede of the seventh century was the first to make a written account of the Goddess Ēostre, where he states Pagan Anglo-Saxons held feasts in her honour during the month of Ēosturmōnaþ, the Germanic equivalent of April. For the Germanic tribes this event was to signify the beginning of the summer half of their year, for the Norse this would kick off the last month of winter, Einmánuður. Sources tend to agree that in both cases a Goddess by the name of Ostara or Ēostre was hailed during these months, representative of the sun and the essence of Spring, however this deity seems to be largely absent from Norse mythology barring Idunn who has only recently been associated with the spring season.

The Goddess Ēostre seems to be based on the Proto-Indo-European Héwsōs, meaning 'the Dawn', who scholars agree was the inspiration behind similar deities such as the Greek Eos and the Roman Aurora. Due to the consistency of her characterization she is considered one of the most important deities worshipped by the Proto-Indo-European people, and this firmly suggests an importance in Norse faith as well. The significance of spring flowers is also consistent throughout the worship of Héwsōs, with an emphasis on the colours blue, purple, and yellow which were considered sacred to the spring season by the Nordic, as well as some Western Germanic tribes; be for the colours of spring flowers or the colour of the sunrise itself this seems to be the same for many of the deities inspired by Héwsōs.

[dgspeaks]

Good Friday: Ancient Spiritual Roots & Goddess Connections

As people around the world observe Good Friday, a significant day in the Christian calendar marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, it’s essential to delve into its historical origins and connections to ancient spiritual beliefs and practices. Good Friday, also known as Holy Friday, holds deep significance not only in Christianity but also in various ancient traditions and mythologies, where it…

[thecreakingdoor]

Coming up in my cottage garden this month - a favourite of mine - snakes-head Fritillaries. This Spring bulb has had a chequered past with those who believe it to be native to Britain and those who favour a non-native status on account of the lack of cultural references in folklore, art, literature and architecture prior to 1736. It has therefore been (grudgingly to some) re-classed as a neophyte, having thought to have been introduced to botanical gardens for ornamental reasons and then managing to “jump the garden wall”. Their story reminded me of a BBC “You’re Dead To Me” history/comedy podcast I heard this week about Atlantis and how the lost city and civilisation was invented by Plato in 360BC (which I had no idea about). So many people believe its existence to be true but there is a distinct lack of reference to it in culture, art, religious texts and other literature before this time. I wonder if there are any other examples of this where we think of something to have existed for all time, but a lack of historic cultural reference prior to a certain time is evidence against it. . . . . #historymatters #snakesheadfritillary #fritallariameleagris #easterplants #eostre #ēostre #springflowers #flowerfables #nativeplants #wildflowersuk #neophyte #ornamentalflowers #chequerboard #snakeshead #ornamentalbulbs #lostcityofatlantis #youredeadtome #youredeadtomepodcast (at Harrowby, Lincolnshire) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqpwYFUoGJM/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[babysfirstpentagram]

Ostara, The Beginning of Spring:

Deities:

Brigid

Celtic

Goddess of fire, the home, and the end of Winter. 

Her holiday is technically Imbolc, but I felt the need to add her because she is, in fact, a spring goddess

Ēostre/Ostara

Anglo-saxon/Germanic

Goddess of Spring

This is her holiday, as it was named after her. There are myths about her spanning from Germany to England. 

Persephone

Greek

Goddess of Spring and the Queen of the Underworld. 

Her celebration of the return to the overworld is April 3rd. 

Flora

Roman

Goddess of flowers and the season of Spring

Jarylo

Slavic

God of vegetation, fertility, and springtime

He is called many different things depending on the country he is being spoken about in. 

Eiar

Old Greek

Hora of Spring

A hora is the goddess of a season.

Crystals of Spring:

Emerald

Known for its calming nature, bright green color, and the rest it takes to get an emerald shiny. 

May’s birthstone and a gemstone associated with Mercury. 

Aquamarine

A stone of rebirth, peace, and wisdom

March’s birthstone and a gemstone associated with Saturn

Moss Agate

A stone known for its connection with Earth, confidence, and creativity.

Moss agate is a stone of the Moon and of Earth.

Green Aventurine

A stone of wellness, prosperity, and abundance. 

Associated with Venus

Golden Apatite

A self help stone that boosts creativity, confidence, and manifestation. 

This stone is associated with Mercury

Herbs of Spring:

Chervil

Chives

Dill

Lemongrass

Lime leaf

Mint 

Marjoram 

Oregano

Parsley

Rosemary

Tarragon

Thyme

[murfeelee]

Bunnies & Clouds

This upload includes 2 thematic sets from my The Untamed/Kemonomimi AU gameplay, inspired by Cloud Recesses and all of Lan Wangji's bunny rabbits.

Kemonomimi Set

This set includes 8 basegame fully recolorable unisex accessories:

Yuu Bunny Ears for Kids (WITH TAIL): found under Bracelets

Yuu Bunny Ears for Kids: found under Bracelets

EA SSNS Bunny Tail as ACC for Kids: found under Bracelets

Yuu Bunny Ears for Toddlers (WITH TAIL): found under Bracelets

Emysims Plush Bunny Toddler Socks REDONE as Shoes

C2077 Bunny Backpack for Kids (BETA): found under Necklaces

Fox Ears ACC for Teens-Elders: found under Glasses

Fox Tail ACC for Teens-Elders: found under Garters

Clouds INSP Set

This set includes 2 decor objects and 8 patterns (TSRW not CASP), found under Abstract:

Pilar Cassandre Ceiling Cloud (SEPARATED) as Wall Decor

Bunny and Cloud Rugs

Cloud Patt 1-6

Chinese Cloud Pattern 1 & 2

Enjoy!

And Happy Ēostre Sunday!

Download zips (package files): Mediafire | SimFileShare

Description & preview pics under the cut:

Just wanted to point out a few things:

Child ACCs

Yuu already made bunny ears for older sims, but I struggled to find anything for kids, so I just converted theirs. There are 3 versions so you can have the Yuu Ears + EA Tail both separately, or merged together as 1 ACC. The Toddler version only has the merged ACC.

Emysims Plush Bunny Toddler Socks REDONE as Shoes

Cuz Emysims' links are all dead, I reconverted their Bunny Sock ACCs (after lowering the egregiously high polys), making them Shoes for Toddlers instead.

Cyberpunk 2077 Bunny Backpack ACC

This stupid thing has TRASH joint assignments, so the arms stretch when sims bend over, and the straps clip terribly, but oh frikkin well.

Bunny & Cloud Rugs

I just lumped a bunch of different ones together, tweaking the colors on a few that didn't match the aesthetique(TM).

Fox ACCs

And as a bonus, I threw in the Fox Ears & Tail ACCs, for all of your huli-jing or kitsune needs! (Garters are found after Socks, so just keep scrolling down.)

And that's that!

________________________________________________________

Enjoy! And Happy Ēostre Sunday!

Download zips (package files): Mediafire | SimFileShare

[the-mortuary-witch]

PAGAN AND SATANIC HOLIDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS

PAGAN:

IMBOLC (CANDLEMAS): (February 1st-2nd) a festival dedicated to the goddess of the New Year (Brigid).

OSTARA (SPRING EQUINOX): (March 19th-23rd) marks the Spring Equinox, which happens on March 19th-23rd. Ostara is a Pagan celebration of the German goddess Ēostre.

BELTANE (MAY EVE): (April 30th-May 1st) the Gaelic May Day festival, marking the beginning of summer. It is traditionally held between April 30th-May 1st, or about midway between the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice.

LITHA (SUMMER SOLSTICE/MIDSUMMER): (June 20th) Litha occurs during the Summer Solstice held on June 20th-21st. More commonly referred to as Midsummer's Night, Litha is believed to be a time when faerie folk pass into the human world at Twilight and offer blessings. Litha is a time to celebrate the abundance and beauty of Mother Earth.

LAMMAS (LUGHNASADH): (August 1st) a Pagan holiday and one of the eight Wiccan sabbats during the year. Each sabbat marks a seasonal turning point. The sabbat occurs on August 1st, which is about halfway between the Summer Solstice (Litha) and the Fall Equinox (Mabon).

MABON (AUTUMN EQUINOX/FALL HARVEST): (September 20th-23rd) represents the height of nature's abundance and usually falls on September 20th-23rd. It is seen as the height of the harvest season and is a time to celebrate nature's bounty. Many also celebrate the balance in nature during Mabon.

SAMHAIN (ALL HALLOWS/FINAL HARVEST): (October 31st-November 1st) a festival dedicated to the dead and a celebration of the New Year.

YULE (WINTER SOLSTICE/MIDWINTER): (December 21st-25th) a Winter Solstice festival. The longest night of the year followed by the sun's "rebirth" and lengthening of days. In most traditions, Yule is celebrated as the rebirth of the Great God, who is viewed as the newborn solstice sun. Some Pagans consider Yule to be the beginning of the New Year

SATANIC:

LUPERCALIA: (February 15th) celebration of bodily autonomy, sexual liberation, and reproduction. Based on the Roman festival of the same name, Lupercalia falls on February 15. In keeping with the ancient tradition, February 13th and 14th are observed as feast days leading up to the actual holiday. What we are translating this to in TST is a "hail yourself" day. This idea offers a parallel to the "others-centered" traditions of Sol Invictus.

HEXENNACHT: (April 30th) occasion honoring those who fell victim to superstition and pseudoscience, whether by. In Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Faust: a Tragedy (1808), Mephisto and Faust attend the Walpurgisnacht revelry atop Mount Brocken. TST's Hexenacht is a solemn holiday to honor those who were victimized by superstition.

UNVEILING DAY: (July 25th) celebration of religious plurality and shedding archaic superstition. A centerpiece of our religious movement and icon of modern Satanism, the Baphomet with Children statue was commissioned by The Satanic Temple in 2014 and created by Mark Porter with "respect for diversity and religious minorities" in mind. On July 25, 2015, The Satanic Temple unveiled Baphomet to a large crowd of devotees in Detroit, signaling the beginning of the new Satanic era. We observe this milestone in Satanic history by celebrating Unveiling Day.

DEVILS NIGHT (MISCHIEF NIGHT): (October 30th-November 4th) an informal holiday on which children, teenagers and adults engage in jokes, pranks, vandalism, or parties. It is known by a variety of names including Devils Night, Gate Night, Goosey Night, Moving Night, Cabbage Night, Mystery Night and Mat Night.

HALLOWEEN: (October 31st) holiday to celebrate indulgence and embrace the darkness and its aesthetic. Halloween is consistently described as evil, demonic, and satanic by those steeped in religious dogma. Costumes, candy, and facing fears are to be embraced.

SOL INVICTUS: (December 25th) a holiday to celebrate indulgence and embracing the darkness and its aesthetic. The cult of Sol existed within Rome since its early days as a republic, and Invictus was an epithet used for Jupiter, Mars, and Apollo (among others). The festival celebrated these Gods and may have also been used to celebrate the winter solstice.

[yourwitchmama]

Blessed be Ēostre!

(If someone knows the name of the artist, please comment because I couldn’t find it!)

[onenakedfarmer]

The reason for the season: Ēostre --> Ostara --> Easter

[talonabraxas]

Deities & Demons: Ostara and the Dawn

THE DAWN

Ostara, Ēostre who stemmed from Astarte is both an Ancient Germanic Goddess and one of the eight Neopagan Sabbats which make up the Pagan Wheel of the Year. The Sabbat, or Holiday celebrates the re-birth of Spring after the barren winter season. The face of the Goddess Ostara is the Virginal Maiden of Spring, the smiling celestial crescent, emerging in the sky from the black horizon of winter.

One must imagine the ancient European Winters to truly appreciate the return of this gentle fertility Goddess. To get through the barren season, families would store grains, nuts, dried meats and herbs for their survival. This preserved prosperity directly from the land equated with the sustaining of life when external conditions i.e. weather did not support it. Ēostre emerges from the rich Pagan canon of deities who came about when survival truly depended on the fertility and abundance of the land and humanitie’s harmonious relationship with it. She is and was and is a Goddess of the People, the Workers, the Creators, the Stargazers, and the Bacchanalian Merry makers. Now more than ever, in our modern age of convenience, and urban aversion to the laws of Nature’s Cyclic cornucopia, do we need the return of an abundant feminine force.

Even in modern astrology, the wheel of the zodiac starts with Aries, which correlates to March (the Sun enters Aries around the Equinox).

This means that you can think of March as a new beginning, too. If your year hasn’t started on the right footing, if you feel like you’re already behind, if you need some of that New Year energy again, here it is for you. Take it!

Ostara ���️ Talon Abraxas

[dancingwithfoxes]

🍁 Merry Mabon! 🍁

below are some messages from gods/goddesses I felt called to share. ❤️🦊 I hope that at any point you find these messages, they are able to help you wherever necessary and give you the strength to be yourself wholly.

Baldur

“To control your emotions does not mean to avoid them we have to seek solace in the hard feelings we face and conquer. ”

foxglove • you may feel as though you do not recognise yourself anymore, or the path you've been taking feels very unfamiliar. Take some time to tether back to your inner self. This season is a moment to reflect on the ways you've changed and grown.

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Bragi

“I've sat with my anger long enough to know its the calling of inner grief.”

henbane • it's believed that some used to crown the passed on with chaplets of henbane, helping them to forget their previous lives so they could move forward without regrets. Something is holding you back from moving on — it's time to forgive and move forward to find your freedom.

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Eir

“We cannot simply sit and stare at the wounds we carry.”

thistle • known for being spiky and unwelcoming. However, they provide as a valuable component toward birds and pollinators. Thistles represent true fulfilment. You have so much to give, and the world around you is ready to give back. Whoever has entered or been a core part of your life is here to provide and remind you of the goodness within the world. You are not alone.

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Ēostre

“Allow yourself to shine without the desire to be seen.”

chickweed • these are known as early-flowering herbs which appear when the rest of the world is still cold and bare. They are full of valuable nutrients and are proof of things returning to life. A series of blessings will make their way to you, they may appear quite modest and miniscule however, they hold much more meaning. You deserve it.

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Freyja

“There are poems inside of you that even paper can't handle.”

mandrake • whether they are used in magical or medicinal ways, mandrakes have been valued for thousands of years by those who grow it. However it takes three years to reach its full potency. Do not judge yourself by the speed at which others grow; you need more time to reach your full potential and there is no shame in that.

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Freyr

“Be patient when becoming someone you have never been before, it will take time to be comfortable in new shoes.”

crocus • speaking up for yourself may just be one of the hardest things to do, particularly if you've ever felt your opinion is not worth being heard. Being assertive does not mean coming across as aggressive; you're simply letting people know what your needs are. Allow yourself the chance to speak up. Something is weighing on you heavily that needs to be talked about.

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Frigg

“Self love is the highest frequency that attracts everything you desire.”

basil • there is growth to be found in helping others achieve the same goal. A leaf of holy basil is placed on the forehead of the deceased to allow them to be seen. By giving your time and energy to others, you will draw the same good energy that you were giving away towards yourself. Remember, what you give is what you will receive.

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Hel

“Please let go of the illusion that it could have been any different to how it played out.”

crocus • feelings not heard are feelings that shall linger much longer than necessary at times. Being honest and vocal about how you feel does not mean you are in any way selfish. Allow yourself the chance to speak up, hearts really are something to be cared for, by expressing hurt emotions we are releasing that weight even just a little.

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Iðunn

“The truth is these scars are the living proof I was strong enough to make a change.”

the sickle • the sickle is not only a symbol of gathering harvest but also a sign of reaching the aftermath of a long and fruitful year. The challenges that you have faced are nearing their end, its time to reflect back on what has passed, both good and bad. Take those lessons and apply them to any obstacle you should find yourself faced with. This is also a reminder of the seasons being ever changing, a new season awaits.

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Jörð

“Just because you are soft does not mean you are not a force. Honey and wildfires are both the colour of gold.”

citrus • common knowledge states citrus fruits are packed full of protective powers. You've been struck with a number of situations that you feel may be out of your control - but through the circumstances that caused them might be, the way you choose to handle them is not. You have the strength to govern how they come to affect you. Some battles can be won and some are best left alone; listen to your intuition, you already know what to do.

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Loki

“Understand we cannot save everyone, you can only love them. You cannot transform for them, you can only hold onto and console when they are faced with the unknown parts of themselves.”

birch • the birch tree is beloved by many for its pure but determined energy. It is one of the first trees to grow leaves in the season of spring. Its also the first to grow back in an area which woodland is cleared; this tenacity is a symbol of strength to overcome hardships. They also represent a time of rebirth. This season brings a new chapter after realising and coming to terms with a situation. Don't let past difficulties make you jaded, enter this phase with confidence.

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Máni

“Healing also means taking an honest look at the role you play in your own suffering.”

asphodel • in Corsica, where asphodel grows, a person who has been gone from their homeland for a long period of time is said to have 'forgotten the asphodel'. You may be feeling heavy nostalgia toward something that has long come to pass — could be an old friend, a place, or somewhere you found great solace in being. Reaching out to that friend or recreating that time or place is what you need right now, why are you holding back?

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Óðinn

“Allow the road ahead of you to speak louder than the one you're leaving behind.”

apple • everything has an ending. Whether it be today or a hundred years from now, nothing can truly stay as it is, and it's not always a bad thing. We naturally shy away from death or change, but don't forget that it too is in nature's plan. Something in your life needs closure, come to terms with it, embrace it and know that in its ending, something new and beautiful will soon emerge and find its way to you.

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Sif

“Being there for others does not mean you get to leave yourself behind.”

aconite • you're facing a difficult or painful decision with no 'right' answer available yet. However in your heart of hearts, you already know what you need to do. Please don't agonise over it much longer than you have to. Named for the hills on which Hercules fought Cerberus, aconite promises there is relief to be had after the brief and challenging fallout of your decision. Know this won't last forever and is momentary.

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Sigyn

“To bring in more abundance we sometimes have to pause and take a minute to appreciate the gifts we are already fortunate to have.”

foxglove • you may feel as though you havent had much fortune or good find you lately. It can be harder to appreciate the good when things feel a little stagnant and calm. There is peace in not having chaos. Acknowledge and reflect on the little things that speak louder, such as a warm cup of tea after a long day, an outpour of rain on a random Wednesday.

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Sjöfn

“People tend to heal and grow the most when they are loved well.”

moonwart • these ferns have many magical properties ascribed to them, but one of the most prominent is their ability to undo or destroy any lock. Our minds are skilled at hiding away old griefs, unwanted feelings and stressful memories. In the long term these will become dangerous but now is the time to make sense of them. Take the opportunity to unlock those hidden spaces and clear out the cobwebs.

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Skaði

“Indulge in the coming of solitude, and find your peace within the season of silence.”

blackthorn • Cailleach is the guardian of an ancient woodlands, she stands in the woods, back bent, raven on her shoulder and holding a staff of blackthorn. People may underestimate you, but you know your true power the lurks within. Don't let other people's opinions take away your confidence in your own magic.

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Thor

“This too shall pass, the hard feelings you hold onto, the ones you fear being unearthed. I just need you to trust in me.”

rose • hanging a rose from a ceiling, a tradition which indicates that any conversation which takes place in its presence must be kept in confidence. Its time to finally open up and talk of what's been gnawing at you. Choose your confidant carefully, it may also be something they've been wanting to talk about. Your relationship can only grow stronger through the act of trusting each other.

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Týr

“I've learned that in order to receive the good things, you need to believe you are deserving of them.”

tulip • there is a Persian tale which tells of a laborer who fell absolutely in love with a princess. To deter this person from pursuing the princess, the king set an impossible task; but upon seeing the person near to completing it, the king told them the princess had passed on. When he to passed, tulips began to grow from him. The moral being, don't let the lies and deceit of others deter you from achieving what you aim for. Don't be fooled by falsehoods that will keep you from greatness. You deserve good things, you are a good person.

[thirteens-lucky-tardis]

I had a dream last night about Loki. Now, listen, I'm not into Loki like some are. I like him as a character, but I don't have a crush on him, HOWEVER...

I came up with an idea...

And another OC...

I'm still working on her backstory for her, but here's an introduction to her ♡

Meet Kelda, daughter of the Norse goddess Ēostre. She is similar to her mother in the sense that she is a goddess of spring, but Kelda is also a goddess of flowers and animals. She is depicted with strawberry blonde hair, jade green eyes, freckles, and she always has a flower crown. She is very gentle, sweet, kind, optimistic, cheerful, and loving. She grew up on Asgard with Thor and Loki and was always seen around the palace. Kelda and Loki had a strong bond, but once Loki found out he was a Frost Giant, he feared hurting her because frost can harm plants and flowers. She has no idea who her father is, but hopes to find out eventually. Loki does everything for Kelda, even if it's not necessarily a good thing. For her, he would take over the universe. For years, they dance around their feelings, not sure if the other one likes them.

Ig, if you're curious, ask me questions about Kelda or about these two

That's all for now 🫢

Tags:

@rxin3akamallory @pretty-chips @glow-autumz @evolvingchaoswitch @raccoonfallsharder

[0rqcles]

𝐅𝐄𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐄 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐒 - Gwendoline, Glinda, Celeste, Phoebe, Psyche, Ranni, Gwynevere, Rin, Evie, Rosa, Eva, Avery, Ashley, Catrina, Mary, Johanna, Maria, Astrid, Neriah, Bella, Belle,  Delilah, Gabriella, Valentina, Valerie, Venus, Ēostre, Vishali, Alice, Esther, Lynda, Ada, Iris, Daisy, Willow, Aurora, Memoria, Charlotte, Olivia, Emma, Dulcie, Amara, Amala, Claire, Dorothy, Diana, Aesira, Amanda, Maeve, Daphne, Irene, Cassandra, Gaia, Rhea, Cassiopeia, Camilla, Anastasia, Echo, Isis, Cybele, Phaedra, Rhaenyra, Maya, Hippolyte, Malenia, Daenerys, Cersei, Arae, Talia, Edith, Mio, Kyoko, Wanda, Uva, Dia, Usagi, Tsukiyomi, Charlie, Stella, Luna, Erza, Lucy, Verrine, Kali, Tara, Hathor, Anna, Nepthys, Khepra, Amrene, Kate, Jayne, June, Annie, Doris, Madeleine, Magnin, Isabel, Eve, Rose, Rosemary, Sydney, Ophelia, Ana, Amelia, Jasmine, Eliza, Tomoe, Maggie, Jill.

𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐄 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐒 - Marek, Vasper, Oscar, Felix, Ralph, Emory, Azariah, Alexis, Balthazar, Ramses, Shem, Jibri, Mercury, Eos, Namur, Luzbel, Gabriel, Kushim, Ravi, Indira, ba’al, melech, Mikhail, Dimitri, Jeremiah, Dius, Judus, William, James, Azriel, rodon, Ghidorah, Khaleesi, Adam, Adonis, Tyron, Marcus, Daemon, Louis, Jasper, Lestat, Astaroth, Horus, Maleketh, Mikael, Finn, Elijah, Klaus, Kol, Rebekah, Maacah, Sephtis, Cyrus, Abraham, Shesmu, Stefan, Nitäl, Aiden, An, Belua, Thatos, Gaelio, Eden, Ethan, Marzo, Harkos, Grims, Tyre, Saccharin, Gadreel, Neith, Set, Genos, Eisther, Oberon, Ka’el, Joseph, Hoshiyomi, Emelod, Leto, Thorn, Casimir, Astril, Arkmose, Demephius, Rue, Colin, Luka, Douglas, Mazoth, Nortek, Avalon, Luthinor, Adamas, Indra, Bradnall, Newt, Maul, Percy, Jack.

𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐒 - Meijer, Lugosi, Lee, Boucher, Talmai, Salvatore, Forbes, Avalon, Kaelux, Wong, Wang, Huang, Gyokuto, Choi, Lou, Angelou, Dague, Eliot, Urban, Medina, Graham, Robert, Anderson, Andromina, Dotter, March, Crowley, Ellis, Lockheart, Lovegood, Grendel, Mornings, Armas, Gadot, Bennett, Gozen, Cary, Harper, Ogilvie, Ewing, Rowe, Lackmos.

𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐒 - Ambrose, The dirge, Cynder, Paraguay, Nowhere, Ember, Tartarus, Valcan, Twilight, The island of no return, Nightmare Vally, Eden, The fallen kingdom, Vally of shattered dreams, Themyscira, Rosario.

[grimnirs-child]

All the cherry trees and whitethorns and blackthorns and magnolias are blossoming, all the horse chestnut trees and London planes and elms are budding

It feels like everyday I see Spring spring more into life

Hail Ēostre, Who is the Dawn of Spring

Hail Bældæg and the Growing of the Day

And Hail to the Good Neighbours, all in Green

[mybeingthere]

Rare Viking ‘Resurrection Egg’, 9th-11th Century AD.

A glazed hollow ceramic egg with a hole to the underside, dragged yellow lines to the outer face, 36mm (1 ¼")

These eggs are usually assigned to Kievan Rus workmanship, however they were found in a wider geographic area. They are thought to represent an early form of a popular Orthodox tradition of painted eggs, or 'pysanka,’ popular during the Easter holiday as a symbol of resurrection. However, the symbolism may be pre-Christian, with connection to the goddess Ēostre and idea of a Cosmic Egg, from which the world was created.

(Source: timelineauctions.com)

[sailtomarina]

Will it fit?

Hermione stood in front of the mirror nervously smoothing the pleats of her dress, a floaty, ephemeral thing hitting just above the knees that Luna insisted appropriately fit the pagan holiday. Hermione had never been one for celebrating anything aside from birthdays, Christmas, and New Year’s, but ever since entering the Wizarding world she found herself on a treadmill of festivals and holidays almost every month of the year. This time, it was Ēostre, or Ostara, or Easter, whatever you preferred to call it. It was one of a handful of celebrations of spring.

This year, rather than celebrating at one another’s homes like usual, their friends had opted to sign up for the Ministry-sponsored event. Guests were invited to frolic in fields and plant literal seeds for harvesting produce later in the season. A feast would follow that same evening under the ceiling of the night sky. It all seemed terribly whimsical and romantic, and normally Hermione would be excited if not for one more pesky detail.

In addition to the event signup was an optional service: matchmaking. And of course, her friends scribbled her name down for both.

So what if it had been months since her last romantic relationship? She was perfectly pleased with her life at the moment. Her days consisted of work, meals, reading, and evening walks. She even included socialization with semi-weekly trivia at the Leaky Cauldron and Flourish and Blotts’ monthly book club meetings. 

It was with irritation and swiftly growing horror that Hermione discovered not only was she to attend the silly Ēostre event, and she would do so with a blind date. Pairs were provided with thin golden arm bands that slipped over the elbow and twinkled with a color matching only one other. Hermione’s armlet sparkled white gold.

“Does it fit?” Luna’s head poked into the washroom where she continued to examine herself.

Gesturing to the band that magically sized to fit snugly around her bicep, Hermione nodded. “Unfortunately, yes. Let’s hope whoever I end up with fits just as well.”

“Oh, you needn’t worry about that. The matches include compatibility charms,” chirped Luna, as she braided small white blossoms into Hermione’s curls.

“Compatibility…charms? Is that even legal?”

She tittered as she waved a wand over her handiwork, ensuring Hermione’s hair and makeup would stay in place for several hours. “Yes. It doesn't affect your choices or anything sinister like that. Just points you in a promising direction and lets you figure out the rest.”

“Hmph. Well I suppose I could use the help given my poor choice in partners.”

“Your last one wasn’t that bad, Hermione, and Oliver was definitely worth the time.” Hermione blushed at Luna’s knowing wink. Oliver certainly did give her some delicious memories, and their breakup was friendly enough given the circumstances. “No more dilly-dallying! It’s time to go.”

Slipping on a pair of leather Grecian sandals and taking one more peek in the mirror, Hermione took a deep breath and tried to smile. Compatible sounded like a good thing, didn’t it?

***

“Oh, my god.”

Draco Malfoy stood frozen in front of her in a similar state of shock. An identical arm band fit around his arm. He cut a fine figure, if she was being honest with herself, in his cerulean chinos and tailored white oxford, sleeves rolled up to bare his muscled forearms with prominent veins cording the length of them. Shaking his head as if waking himself from a trance, he stepped closer to wave his hand over her arm. The resulting pulse of light confirmed their suspicions.

“Uh…” Could she be any less dull-witted? Where were the words that usually flowed out of her mouth like a bloody flood? Her mouth clicked shut—hanging open earlier like an imbecile—when he lifted his elbow to offer an escort.

“You look lovely, Hermione. It would be my pleasure to accompany you.”

Her tongue loosened at last. “Malf—Draco. What a…pleasant surprise.”

He smirked at her obvious difficulty at pleasantries.

“I would have never expected you of all people to require matchmaking.”

“Yes, well, I suspect we both have well meaning, meddlesome friends.” 

She had to share a smile at that.

It wasn’t that she loathed Draco Malfoy. Quite far from it, actually. She had definitely noticed him over the years as their circles occasionally bumped and overlapped. First it was the occasional work collaboration, then it was friends dating. The formerly thin and haunted young man filled out, his eyes lightening and gaining confidence. He was now the object of many a glance when circumstances threw them together, and even a friendly word now and then.

She just couldn’t fathom any dimension where he’d be interested in dating her, and she’d rather bite her tongue off than admit to fancying his appallingly good looks.

Damn Luna.

“Shall we go pick our seeds?” He guided them towards the tables where others gathered.

“Not quite done sowing your oats?” 

Why in Godric’s name did she have to be so nasty?

Rather than getting insulted, he surprised her by chuckling softly. “Long past that stage of my life—does that disappoint you?”

He picked up a small basket and guided them towards the root vegetable section.

“So are you actually looking to settle down? Find the next Lady Malfoy?” Hermione snagged parsnip seeds, to which he nodded approvingly.

“I’m strongly considering it.”

“I’m not exactly Malfoy material.”

“I know.” 

Turnips made their way into the basket. She licked her lips imagining sharp bites of the taproot in a bed of arugula and prosciutto. She couldn’t find any fault in his chosen produce. If anything, they’d make a fantastic salad together.

“But you’re my preferred material.”

Jerking to a stop, she looked fully up into his eyes for the first time. He gazed back, not a hint of humor on his face. He was serious.

She could barely breathe the question shouting against her skull. “Since when?”

He reached forward with one hand to tuck a wayward curl behind her ear before running his fingertips down her arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. Grasping her hand in his, he prompted her to resume walking out towards the fields.

“For longer than I’d care to admit right now.” He didn’t elaborate, and Hermione found herself utterly devoid of any courage for further inquiry.

Following the rows of carefully labeled signs, they made their way silently to the appropriate section to cast their seeds out into the dirt, where they magically burrowed into the earth.

“Well that was much easier than expected,” he mused, glancing around to watch as others similarly finished.

“It’s more symbolic than literal planting, isn’t it? No digging into the dirt by hand here.”

Appraising her form with an appreciative eye that resulted in a pretty flush, he responded, “And a good thing, too, given our attire.”

She snorted in agreement. “I don’t know what Luna was thinking, picking this dress out.”

“Probably what I’m thinking right now. I meant what I said earlier, Hermione. You are lovely.”

She couldn’t take it anymore. Where did he get off being so…charming? So complimentary and intriguing? With a scoff, she pushed him back a step, her palms flat against his chest.

“Stop it, Malfoy. You don’t have to force yourself to be nice just because we were coincidentally matched together.”

Warm hands grasped her wrists, gently holding them in place.

“I’m not forcing anything. And even if neither one of us were signed up for today, I would’ve asked you out on my own soon anyways.”

There he went grabbing her attention again. It felt like rather than her wrists he was holding, it was her heart in a tight fist.

“All these years I've always wondered why I’m constantly drawn to you. Why I started out unable to stop teasing you, saying anything that came to mind to catch your attention. Stupid things. Regrettable things.”

“So stupid.” Her soft interjection pulled a wry smile from him in the middle of his speech.

“And after all the shite, the war, the trials, the slog of adulthood, I realized something.”

She could barely breathe listening to his words.

“I like you. I more than like you. I want to get to know you. See if we fit together as much as I think we will.”

Standing in the middle of a field, an uncharacteristic British sun beating down on them and people milling all around casting seeds in the hopes they’d take hold and grow into more, Hermione’s breath came back all at once. Pulling one hand loose from his grip, she returned his favor from earlier and brushed a silken strand of platinum hair off his forehead.

“I think we will, too.”

Or perhaps it wasn’t the sun that shone so brightly, but Draco himself as he smiled wider than she’d ever seen before.