Newsletter: Ostara 2025
- Midwest Coven Cast
- Mar 19
- 6 min read
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Ostara Without Eggs: Magical and Practical Substitutes
As the wheel of the year turns and we welcome the Spring Equinox, Ostara offers a time of renewal, balance, and fertility. Traditionally, eggs symbolize this sabbat’s themes, representing rebirth and new beginnings. However, with the current egg shortage and rising prices due to avian flu, many witches may find themselves rethinking how to honor this sacred time without relying on actual eggs. Fortunately, there are plenty of magical and practical alternatives to incorporate into your Ostara celebrations and seasonal cooking.
Egg-Free Offerings for Your Ostara Altar
If you typically place eggs on your altar as a symbol of fertility and renewal, consider these substitutions:
- Seeds – Like eggs, seeds hold the potential for new life. Decorate small bowls of sunflower, pumpkin, or flaxseeds to represent fertility.
- Painted Stones – Collect smooth, egg-shaped stones and paint them in pastel colors, inscribing symbols of growth and balance.
- Fruit – Fresh spring fruits like apricots, peaches, or even small melons can stand in for eggs, representing abundance and the sweetness of life’s renewal.
- Flowers – Blooming buds, particularly those in egg-like shapes (such as tulips or crocuses), can evoke the same themes of fertility and rebirth.
Egg Substitutes in Ritual Baking and Cooking
For those preparing Ostara feasts, egg shortages might seem like a challenge, but a variety of substitutes work wonderfully depending on the dish. Here are some of the best replacements and their ideal applications:
1. Flaxseed or Chia Seed “Egg” (Best for Binding in Baked Goods)
- How to make: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseeds or chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until it forms a gel-like consistency.
- Best for: Cakes, muffins, pancakes, cookies, and other baked goods requiring structure and slight moisture.
- Magical Correspondence: Flax and chia seeds are linked to prosperity, grounding, and stability—perfect for a sabbat celebrating balance.
2. Applesauce (Best for Moisture in Baking)
- How to use: Substitute ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce per egg.
- Best for: Muffins, brownies, cakes, and soft-baked cookies.
- Magical Correspondence: Apples are linked to wisdom, fertility, and love, making this a fitting Ostara substitute.
3. Mashed Banana (Best for Sweet and Dense Treats)
- How to use: Use ¼ cup of mashed ripe banana per egg.
- Best for: Banana bread, muffins, and cakes where banana flavor complements the dish.
- Magical Correspondence: Bananas bring prosperity and vitality—excellent energies for the growing season.
4. Silken Tofu (Best for Dense or Creamy Dishes)
- How to use: Blend ¼ cup of silken tofu until smooth and use in place of one egg.
- Best for: Custards, creamy desserts, cheesecakes, and quiches.
- Magical Correspondence: Tofu, derived from soybeans, is linked to resilience and nourishment, aligning with themes of renewal and growth.
5. Baking Powder and Vinegar (Best for Leavening in Cakes and Muffins)
- How to use: Mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar (apple cider or white) with 1 teaspoon of baking powder.
- Best for: Light and fluffy cakes, cupcakes, and pancakes.
- Magical Correspondence: Vinegar represents purification and transformation, while baking powder symbolizes expansion and rising energy—both in tune with Ostara’s themes.
6. Store-Bought Egg Replacements (Best for General Purpose Baking and Cooking)
- How to use: Follow package instructions for egg replacement powders like Ener-G, Bob’s Red Mill, or Just Egg.
- Best for: Most baking needs, as well as scrambles and omelets.
- Magical Correspondence: These commercial blends contain various plant-based ingredients, making them a blend of multiple energies, representing harmony and balance.
Cooking and Celebrating in Harmony with Nature
Ostara encourages us to embrace the cycles of nature, and part of that practice is adaptability. The egg shortage, though inconvenient, offers a reminder to honor the natural world by seeking sustainable and creative alternatives. By incorporating plant-based ingredients and embracing egg-free traditions, we align our spiritual path with the ever-changing rhythm of the Earth.
As you celebrate Ostara, remember that magic is woven into intention more than objects themselves. Whether through seed blessings, plant-based feasts, or painted stones, the energy of renewal and fertility can be honored in countless ways. Wishing you a blessed and abundant Ostara!
Ostara Wishing Stones: A Magical Spring Activity
Ostara, the Spring Equinox, is a time of renewal, balance, and fresh beginnings. It’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate with little ones by incorporating a bit of magic into a fun, hands-on activity! This Ostara Wishing Stones craft encourages children to set intentions for the new season while embracing the beauty of nature.
What You’ll Need:
- Smooth, flat stones (gathered from nature or purchased)
- Acrylic paints or paint pens
- Paintbrushes
- Small bowls of water for rinsing brushes
- Paper towels or cloth for drying
- Clear sealant (optional, for preserving the designs)
- Small pieces of paper
- Pens or pencils
Steps to Completion:
1. Set Intentions: Ask the children to think about what they want to grow in their lives this season—kindness, courage, patience, or even a fun new hobby. Have them write down their wishes on small pieces of paper.
2. Choose a Stone: Let each child pick a stone that feels special to them. Explain that the stone will act as a reminder of their wish and the magic of Ostara.
3. Paint the Magic: Have the kids paint their stones with symbols of Ostara—flowers, the sun, rabbits, butterflies, or anything that represents growth and renewal. They can also paint words or symbols that reflect their wishes.
4. Let Them Dry: Allow the stones to dry completely. If desired, apply a clear sealant to protect the artwork.
5. Bless the Stones: Once the stones are dry, gather the children and have them hold their stones while reciting a simple blessing: "With the turning of the season, let my wish take root. May it grow strong and bright, in the warmth of Ostara’s light."
6. Place or Carry the Stones: The children can choose to place their stones in a garden, by a favorite tree, on a nature altar, or keep them in a pocket or special place as a reminder of their wish.
7. Watch the Magic Unfold: Encourage the kids to reflect on their wishes throughout the season and notice the ways in which they grow and manifest, just like the flowers and trees around them.
This enchanting activity not only honors the spirit of Ostara but also teaches kids about mindfulness, creativity, and the magic of nature. Happy Ostara and blessed be!
Shadow Work: Change & Adaptability This Ostara
Ostara, the Spring Equinox, is a time of balance, renewal, and the promise of growth. Yet this year, many of us are being called to embrace adaptability as traditions shift in response to external forces—like the current egg shortage. Just as the natural world adjusts to changing seasons, we, too, must learn to flow with life's unexpected twists.
Reflect on a time when you faced an unforeseen challenge or disruption to your plans. How did you respond? Did you resist or adapt? What emotions arose for you in that moment—frustration, fear, or perhaps excitement at the chance to innovate?
Consider how you can embody the energy of the shifting season by cultivating resilience. What areas of your life are calling for flexibility right now? Where might you be clinging too tightly to expectations or old ways of doing things?
Journal about a current situation that requires you to be adaptable. How can you shift your perspective to see it as an opportunity rather than a setback? What new possibilities might arise if you release control and trust the unfolding of the universe?
Coven Coloring Club
This Ostara, the coven coloring club is bringing you another double feature. First, we have a basket full of eggs. With the shortages and expense this year, we figure if you can’t have your Ostara eggs in a literal sense, you can at least enjoy coloring them on paper. For the second coloring sheet, we have a cute little chick and baby lamb in a flower field.
Share your coloring page on social media and tag us (@midwestcovencast). We are excited to see your creative take on these pieces!
You can download the coloring sheet and add to your favorite digital art program or print.
Southern Hemisphere Shout Out: Mabon
To our witchy friends in the southern hemisphere, we wish you a most blessed Mabon! May the autumnal equinox be accompanied by a bountiful harvest. Feel free to check out the Mabon newsletter we released during our Mabon turn for more information about the holiday and some activities.
Special Thanks
As always we extend a special thanks to those of you who provide support on Patreon. An EXTRA special thanks to Steve D. and Anonymous who always go above and beyond to help keep our little witchy endeavors here at Midwest Coven Cast going. Without our Patreon friends, we could not affortd to keep hosting our website, producing and hosting our podcasts, creating our newsletters and books, etc. You all help make this little passion project possible!
CALENDAR
20 March Ostara (spring Equinox)
28 March Midwest Coven Cast Presents: Weekend Reads S4E13
29 March New Moon (5:57am CST)
11 April Midwest Coven Cast Presents: Weekend Reads S4E14
12 April Full PINK Moon (7:22pm CST)
25 April Midwest Coven Cast Presents: Weekend Reads S4E15
27 April New Moon (2:31pm CST)
01 May Beltane
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