Wiccan Sabbat Ritual Recipes — Ostara Egg and Artichoke Pie

Eggs have traditionally been associated with the coming of spring, as the Vernal Equinox is when chickens naturally begin to lay eggs. As such, they are often used to create many holiday dishes for the Spring Equinox, Easter, and many other spring celebrations. One of these dishes is Ostara Egg and Artichoke Pie, often known as Ostara Quiche.

Quiches, a French dish which is essentially an egg pie, are typically thought of as quite delicious but difficult to concoct. However, this particular recipe is a little less elaborate than some traditional quiches, and is much easier to prepare. With a little patience and some planning, you can make a delectable quiche for you and your family to enjoy this Ostara season.

Ingredients for Ostara Egg and Artichoke Pie

Have the following ingredients close at hand:

• 6 eggs
• ½ cup milk
• 1 can artichoke hearts
• ½ cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
• ¼ cup onions, diced
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• 1 deep dish pie shell

You can add other ingredients as well, if you like. Try sundried tomatoes, spinach, ham, or turkey to change the flavor of your pie. Experiment and discover what you prefer. The options are limited only by your own creativity.
 
Preparing the Ostara Egg and Artichoke Pie
 
Drain the artichoke hearts thoroughly. Chop them into small pieces, no more than a quarter inch in size. Beat the eggs for several minutes with a fork. Add the milk to the eggs and blend well.
 
Combine the milk and egg mixture with the artichoke hearts, mushrooms, and onions, mixing well. Add the salt and pepper and stir, making sure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
 
Preheat the over to 325ºF. Pour the egg mixture into the deep dish pie shell. Place the pie in the oven and bake for approximately forty minutes. Check frequently, and if the edges of the pie crust seem to be baking too fast, cover the pie with foil. This will help even browning and prevent burning.
 
After forty minutes, check the pie for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean, the pie is done. If not, leave it in the oven for an additional five minutes. Allow the pie to sit for at least five minutes before serving.
 
This recipe makes eight to ten small servings. Ostara Egg and Artichoke Pie is a favorite of many Wiccans and Pagans in the spring. It is especially delicious when paired with Spring Eggnog or Eostre's Chili Eggs.

Wiccan Sabbat Ritual Recipes — Eostre's Chili Eggs Recipe

Eggs are associated with Ostara and are a traditional breakfast food. However, the same old eggs can eventually become a little boring. Instead of having your eggs hard-boiled, scrambled, or fried, try Eostre’s Chili Eggs. This delicious recipe can add some spice and zip to your morning meal.

Ingredients for Eostre’s Chili Eggs

Have the following ingredients close at hand:

• 1 can green chili peppers;
• ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese, cubed;
• ½ cup Cheddar cheese, cubed;
• 1 ½ cups salsa;
• 8 large eggs;
• ½ cup Cheddar cheese, shredded; and
• Salt and pepper.

The salsa you choose may be any kind you like, and of any intensity. Consider those who will share your meal when deciding on a salsa. If there will be small children dining with you, opt for a milder salsa. For crowds that enjoy a little more spice, feel free to use a medium or hot salsa.
 
Additional ingredients can be added, if you like. Pork or chicken are particularly suited to this dish, but you can choose whatever you prefer. It can be made spicier by the addition of cayenne pepper, or milder by the omission of pepper. The options are limited only by your own taste.
 
Preparing Eostre’s Chili Eggs
 
Drain the chili peppers thoroughly and beat the eggs well. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease the bottom of a 9x9 inch baking pan, taking extra care in the corners to prevent sticking.
 
Line the bottom of the pan with the chili peppers, distributing evenly. On top of the peppers, place the cubed cheeses (both the Monterey Jack and the Cheddar), but set aside the shredded cheese. Cover with 1 cup of salsa, reserving the remaining ½ cup.
 
Over this pour the beaten eggs and top with the remaining salsa and the shredded Cheddar cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste, remembering that the chili peppers and salsa will already give you a spicy dish. Be careful with the pepper, or you might overwhelm the flavors already present.
 
Bake for twenty minutes, or until the top starts to turn gold. Insert a toothpick into the center to test for doneness. If it comes out clean, the eggs are done. If not, bake for an additional five minutes.
 
This recipes make eight to ten small servings. Eostre’s Chili Eggs are a favorite of many Wiccans and Pagans around the time of the Spring Equinox. They are especially delightful when paired with Ostara Eggs and Artichoke Pie or Spring Eggnog.

For a similar recipe, check out this video:

The Faery Lineage and Irish Mythology — The Daoine Sidhe

The Daoine Sidhe (pronounced deena shee) are considered to be the Faery Folk of ancient Ireland. They were what the Tuatha De Danann became as they diminished. Some early myths from the Church indicate that they were fallen angels, considered to be too good for Hell, but this was simply a way for the Church to invalidate the mythology of Ireland. It had little to do with the true legends regarding the Daoine Sidhe.

The Daoine Sidhe and the Fenian Heroes

The Fenian Heroes, those of the De Danann who chose to follow the high kings of Ireland, joined with the fiana and fought alongside their human allies. The Daoine Sidhe did almost the opposite. After the Tuatha De Danann and the Milesians battled and divided up Ireland into the land and the spirit-world, those who became the Daoine Sidhe retreated beneath the earth to live in hollow mounds. Others chose to make their home in the ocean, under the waves.

The Fenian Heroes had a great respect for the Daoine Sidhe despite their different choices. The mounds where the Sidhe made their homes became places of worship for the Fenian Heroes, and so for the people of Ireland. The waves which were said to be inhabited by the Sidhe were held as sacred.

The Seelie and Unseelie Courts of the Daoine Sidhe

In some versions of Irish mythology, the Daoine Sidhe eventually divided themselves into the Seelie and Unseelie Courts. The Seelie (seleighe in old Irish) Court was considered to be blessed or holy, containing those of the Sidhe who were benevolent and generally considered harmless. This was not to say that they would not seek vengeance, but if given the choice between harming and helping, the Seelie would choose to help.

The members of the Seelie Court were said to be fun-loving and mischievous. They loved their games and pranks, but would never take a joke too far. They were known to be kind and generous, and were seen as the champions of the people of Ireland.

The Unseelie Court was just the opposite. They were malicious and tended to be inclined towards evil. They were said to assault travelers at night, often carrying them off into their own world for various purposes. As the Seelie were not always entirely kind, the Unseelie were not always entirely evil. However, if faced with the choice, they would rather cause harm than offer assistance.

The Daoine Sidhe were the last of the Tuatha De Danann to resemble the gods and goddesses of ancient Ireland. Though they generally chose to take human form, they could also appear as much larger or much smaller than the average person.

In time, the Daoine Sidhe would dwindle further away from their origins, eventually becoming the Heroic Faery of the Faery Lineage.

The Faery Lineage and Irish Mythology — The Fenian Heroes

The noblest warriors of the Tuatha De Danann joined forces with the honorable fiana, the greatest fighting force of ancient Ireland. They retained some of their magick and power, and greatly enhanced the respected group, contributing their sorcery and their wisdom. Those De Danann who chose to join the fiana became known as the Fenian Heroes. The remainder became the Daoine Sidhe.

The Fenian Heroes and Finn mac Cumaill

The fiana (Irish war bands) were led by Finn mac Cumaill. He was the last and greatest leader of the fiana, and the son of Cumhal mac Baiscne. Cumhal was also head of the fiana in his time, but was killed by the sons of Morna, who wanted to assume his leadership. Finn’s mother was Muirne, the granddaughter of Nuada of the Silver Hand and Ethlinn. Ethlinn was the mother of Lugh of the Long Hand. Both Nuada and Ethlinn were powerful members of the Tuatha De Danann, so Finn himself was of the Faery, and somewhat god-like in stature.

As a child, Finn was sent away in secret. As he grew, he was trained in poetry, weaponry, and magick. At one point during his training, he accidentally drank a mouthful of water from the Well of the Moon and gained the power of prophecy. This power, combined with the Sidhe blood running through his veins, is one of the many reasons the Tuatha De Danann were said to willingly follow him, even though it meant diminishing themselves.

What Became of the Fenian Heroes?

When old age finally killed Finn mac Cumaill, his fiana fell apart. When this happened, the Tuatha De Danann who had become the Fenian Heroes drifted away, searching for a just and honourable High King to serve in battle once more. Some Irish legends indicate that they never found what they were looking for. Others suggest that perhaps they traveled to Britain and followed the legendary King Arthur.

Regardless, the Fenian Heroes diminished in stature and power, but the Faery Lineage of Ireland did not end with the Fenian Heroes. They survived into medieval times as the Medieval Fairy, beginning to spread to the rest of Europe, and would one day lead to the modern vision of tiny little fairies with gossamer wings.