Ostara and the Oak King
a story of seasonal shift
Hello friend! My name is Amy. I am so happy you have stopped by ✨ If you are new here, a warm welcome to you! This space is where I meander through midlife, connecting to my true self through the seasonal shifts and simpler living, and seeking my inner wise woman. If you are also on this path and looking for someone to walk gently beside you, I see you and am here. Let’s color outside of the lines together.
Happy Spring Equinox (Ostara)! 🌷
Today, the scales are visibly tipping back to the light.
You may have noticed that our days are lengthening, and warming ever so slightly. When you begin to research the folk history behind seasonal festivals and observances, you will see many similar stories if not characters that pepper tales.
In one such tale, there is a battle between the Oak King and the Holly King who fight twice annually, once at Yule and once at Litha (summer and winter solstices). Why do these kings fight? They fight for control of the seasons. Having won the battle at Yule, the Oak King begins to strengthen at Ostara (spring equinox), and then the Holly King gains momentum at Mabon (fall equinox); they are the births of the seasonal shifts towards winter or summer. The first signs that the Oak King is birthing the new season are seed buds appearing, animals becoming more active, and crops beginning to germinate. The Oak King (light and abundance) comes to his full strength in Summer, and then his brother, the Holly King, begins his battle to change the seasons through the harvests leading to winter’s dormancy.
Though the Oak King and Holly King characters are contemporary (Robert Graves, 1948), they are thought to reference other historical pairs through history. Such pairs as Lugh vs. Balor of the Evil Eye, The Green Knight vs. Sir Gawain, and controversially Jesus vs. John the Baptist1
I love the visualization of this battle of the seasons. With all of nature, there needs to be balance; a give and take or dormancy, and life to flourish. The flora and fauna of each area are in harmony to thrive and we should actively participate in that.
I connect deeply with seasonal transitions. When we bought our property, B and I were immediately drawn to a special place under this fantastic old tree at the edge of the drive. It is a vantage point from which we can look over the property. We called him Grandpa Hickory and he is well over 100 years old. His shag bark covers a mass of rings, not unlike what you see when tossing a stone into water. These rings are a record of the lives touched by this land and the ripple that we will leave in its history.
As Spring arrives, the trees emerging canopy over our drive greets us each evening, enclosing us in a hug. It transports us to simpler times mere yards from today's fast-moving world. This wooded haven, with Grandpa Hickory as its gatekeeper, houses our adventure toward sustainability, healthier living, and simpler times. Our land is a living, breathing extension of ourselves and our dreams. Yet we feel the spirit of this land's history like a current, running under our feet, giving us the energy to move forward.
Is the energy of the season moving you? I’d love to hear!
Until next time,
A fascinating summary of the archetypal pairs and timings of the transitions. Irishmyths.com