The beginning of the spring Equinox, and the sun was bright, the wind blew gently and the birds sang a joyful song.

The Great Gumba sat on a wall of Castle Catalano and surveyed all that was his, and some that was not, but soon would be.
Spring had finally come to the Great Northron Region, a time of rebirth and newness.

The snow had all melted and the ice flows have disappeared, the last vestiges were washed away by the great rains of spring, banishing the winter for another year.
The Great Gumba thanked the gods for such a wonderful life, for he had his Bard, a great Castle and the Mighty Beasts. Feasting would soon begin in earnest, as the great fire pits would soon be ablaze, for it was spring and all was well.

Soon, a familiar face would come to Castle Catalano, that of the Great White Sage, master storyteller, Sage, Mage, and most of all, friend.
He will come to tell all about spring and what it has meant through out time, to all that could write and record.

The Great Gumba and Kerry the Bard look forward to this right of spring every year, for all who call the Great Gumba and Kerry the Bard friend, learn much about all and all about much. For the Sage is wise and remembers and knows much, and he loves to tell you all he knows, although, sometimes in riddle.

The Great White Sage will come and talk about the Spring Equinox, a time of rebirth,
Also known to some as Ostera.
The Goddess Eostre, the Saxon Lunar Goddess of Fertility is a deity that was once honored at this time of year.
A time of Fertility rights, of the physical, the metaphysical, and of the earthly rights, as well.

The Druids will light fires as the dawn sun breaks the horizon, signifying the rebirth of light to the mother earth, they will ring bells, and they will also decorate raw and hard-boiled eggs, a tradition that may linger on.
They will rejoice much, for spring brings new beginnings.

The Sage will recount, how when he was young and the Druids still walked the earth, he was privileged to one such ritual, all will ask him to recount it, and he will.

It was Dawn, the Sage will say, as the sun broke the horizon many great fires were lit, from high in a tree one could see they formed a huge circle around an area.
The priestess would then form a circle in the ground, a representation of the green goddess.
An altar, usually made of wood or stone, would be erected in the center of this circle facing north.
A green candle would be placed in the center of the altar to signify the goddess; to the right of the altar would be a charcoal block upon which Sage would be burning.
To the Left of the Altar a bowl of Hard Boiled eggs, decorated with runes, fertility designs and magickal symbols.
Before the candle, would be placed, the Sacred Athame.

The ritual would soon begin.
The priestess would sprinkle salt around the circle to purify it and then trace the circle with her staff, starting in the east the priestess would then sanctify the circle.

Blessed be this circle, in the divine name of Ostara, ancient goddess of fertility and spring. In her name and under her protection is the sacred rite now begun.

Then the priestess would light the candle and sage, she would then kneel in front of the altar and placing her hand over her heart would say,

Blessed be the fertility goddess, blessed be her springtime rite. Blessed be the sun god king, blessed be his light.

Then the goddess would draw her ceremonial dagger and place the blade flat against her forehead and say,

The sun has crossed the celestial equator, giving sun and moon equal hours, goddess spring is reborn at last, her beauty gives life to the trees and flowers.

Blessed be the divine green goddess, she is the creatress of all living things. Blessed be the lord of the greenwood, to goddess and god I sing.

Awaken one, Awaken all, and hear the voices of the goddess call. Blessed be our mother earth, may she be filled with peace, magick and love. The goddess breathes life. The goddess gives life. The goddess is life. She reigns supreme. Blessed be.

The ceremony ends with the candle being extinguished and the circle being uncast.
The eggs are eaten by all in attendance and the shells thrown into one of the fires, as an offering to mother earth.

The Great White Sage would end with a smile and say, that made me thirsty; bring me some ale to quench my thirst.
The feasting would begin soon after.

So Sayeth the Great Gumba. Huzzah to the White Sage.