March 21, 2026 – Celebrate Ostara (Spring Equinox)

The Spring Equinox is a moment to pause and notice the changes happening around us—the longer days, the warmth returning to the soil, and the small signs of life pushing up through the earth. By gathering together to share food and reflection, we celebrate not only the season but also the community that grows alongside it.

Join Mystic Grove CUUPs as we celebrate on March 21, 2026. Meet and Greet at 5:30 PM, Ritual at 6 PM, and potluck to follow at 7 PM in Gore Hall at First Unitarian Church of Orlando. 

Our ritual theme this year is “Bunnies and Balance.” If you’ve never attended an Ostara celebration before, you’re warmly welcome. No prior experience is needed—just bring your curiosity and a spirit of community! While we do not provide childcare, families are welcome.

Read more: March 21, 2026 – Celebrate Ostara (Spring Equinox)

What is Ostara?

On the spring equinox, day and night stand in perfect balance, reminding us of the harmony between light and dark, rest and growth, endings and beginnings. From this moment forward, the days grow longer and the energy of the earth shifts toward renewal, fertility, and life returning to the land.

In many earth-honoring traditions, Ostara celebrates the awakening of nature after the quiet months of winter. Buds appear on trees, animals become active again, and seeds begin their journey toward growth. Symbols often associated with this season include eggs, seeds, flowers, fresh greens, and honey—all reminders of the new life stirring all around us.

While Ostara has roots in pagan and nature-centered traditions, the themes of renewal, hope, and balance are universal. Our gathering welcomes both longtime practitioners and those who are simply curious about seasonal celebrations and connecting with nature’s rhythms.

Spring Potluck Feast

Food is a joyful way to celebrate the return of spring, and Ostara tables often feature seasonal ingredients that symbolize renewal and abundance. Typical Ostara foods include:

  • Egg dishes (deviled eggs, quiche, egg salad)
  • Fresh greens and spring vegetables
  • Breads and honey cakes
  • Light desserts
  • Seasonal fruit
  • Herbal teas or refreshing drinks

Need more inspiration?

15+ Spring Equinox Recipes
https://otherworldlyoracle.com/ostara-recipes/
Ideas include asparagus tart, egg salad, and spring vegetable dishes.

50 Ostara Recipes & Foods
https://www.pagangrimoire.com/ostara-recipes-foods/
A large collection of egg dishes, vegetarian meals, desserts, and seasonal foods.

Spring Equinox Recipes & Traditions
https://www.threeleaffarm.com/seed-and-spell/ostara-celebration-of-the-spring-equinox
Includes recipes such as hot cross buns, honey cakes, and spring greens salad.

We hope you’ll join us as we welcome the return of spring! Contact mysticgrove@orlandouu.org for more info. You can also Facebook RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/1214950040833844 and let us know what you are bringing to the potluck in the comments.

Mystic Grove CUUPs Samhain Celebration 2023

Save the date! Mystic Grove CUUPs celebrates Samhain on October 28, 2023 at First Unitarian Church of Orlando. For many Pagan traditions, Samhain is a time to reconnect with our ancestors and honor those who have died.

  • 6:30 PM Meet and Greet
  • 7:00 Ritual
  • 8:00 Potluck

Come as you are or in colors of the season. Photos or mementos of your ancestors welcome for the community ancestor altar. Chip and Toni present ritual in the “Green Witch” style.

All ages welcome. Ritual is FREE. A love donation to help replenish supplies is welcome. Food bank donations also welcome. Email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org for more info.

Mabon Pix and Upcoming Samhain

Many thanks to those were able to come join us for guest ritual with Stephanie and Ed from Pagans in the Park.

We learned about Irish Polytheism and after ritual feasted on delicious dishes!

2023-09-23 Greeter Table Mabon

COMING UP

Our annual calendar is at

​​https://tinyurl.com/MGAnnualCalendar2023-2024

Next ritual will be Samhain on October 28 by Chip and Toni in the Green Witch style. You can Facebook RSVP if you like!

https://www.facebook.com/events/616799907319376

Mabon Celebration Sept 23rd

Join Mystic Grove CUUPs in celebrating the Autumn Equinox! Sept 23rd guest ritual is by Stephanie W. honoring the Dagda. Come as you are or dressed in colors of the season: brown, orange, yellow, red, etc.

SCHEDULE

Meet & Greet for those new to ritual at 6:30 PM in the foyer sofa area. Ritual begins at 7 PM. Potluck at 8 PM. Please bring a dish to share and label with ingredients for those with allergies.

WHERE

Gore Hall at First Unitarian Church of Orlando
1901 E. Robinson Orlando FL 32803

WHO

All welcome. Children under 18 please come with a parent or guardian.

COST

FREE. As willing and able, a $5-$10 love offering is welcome to help replenish worship and potluck supplies. Donations also welcome for the JoyMCC food bank box.

For more info, email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org https://www.facebook.com/events/106044265924266/

Summer Solstice 2022

Bob (the Big Ol’ Bear) says thank you for helping him present the new “Element Chalice Quilt” by Peg Green in Time for All Ages on Sunday.

He loved meeting you and your stuffed animal friends! 🙂

If you missed the Summer Solstice service, it’s online over Facebook.

You can also catch it on YouTube.

On the YouTube version, the kid-friendly Quilt presentation is about 23:05 minutes in. The stuffed animals appear again in the postlude 1:08:02.

You can catch it online over Facebook!

You can also catch it on YouTube.

Midsummer 2021 – The Pagan Umbrella

Did you miss it last week? You can catch the 2021 Midsummer Service.  Not all Unitarian Universalists believe the same things. Not all UU Pagans are the same kind of pagan. Celebrate the Summer Solstice and the return of the rainy season as we explore the different pagan paths that lie inside “The Pagan Umbrella.” 

You can view it on First Unitarian Facebook Video collection…
https://www.facebook.com/151216695608/videos/162725095899093

Or on the YouTube collection.