'Ostara' : the Anglo-Saxon name for this festival pre-dates the Christian Easter when celebrations included sacrificing livestock to ensure the strength of the herd. Ostara is dedicated to the 'Sunrise Goddess' or 'Goddess of the Dawn' and symbolised by the images of the moon, the egg and the rabbit (See Mystical WWW Easter Special for further information). A lunar holiday traditionally celebrating the fertility of the land and the Earth Mother. (Sometimes associated with Lady Day). Ostara is credited with the power of understanding the speech of animals, and is further connected with young children. The youngest of the 'Three Fates', the sacred 'Triple Goddess' who together depict the three stages of life. Also known as the 'Three Norns' or the 'Wyrd Sisters'.

Johann Sebastian Bach, composer, born this day in 1685.

Celtic feast day of 'Enda', studied in Galloway, instructed Cieran of Clonmacnoise (9 September). Brendan (16 May) is said to have discussed his imminent travels with Enda before setting out. Thought of as one of the driving forces behind the development of the Celtic church. Believed to be buried at Tighlagheany, Inishmore. Died 530. Associated with Jarlath (6 June) and Cybi (8 November). Said to have received the present of an Aran island from King Angus of Munster with the help of Ailbe (12 September).

J.B. Lully, composer, died on this day in 1687.

Norse dedication to 'Summer Finding'.

Celtic feast day of 'Gwinear', martyred, believed to have lived in the sixth century and travelled to Cornwall, England and later Brittany with Meriasek (7 June). According to legend it is said that pools of fresh water sprang from the ground when Gwinear stuck his rod or lance into the earth, (water for him, his dog and his horse). The scene of him out hunting when this is occurred is portrayed in stained glass in Pluviguen, Vannes, Brittany. (See also Ia or Ive February 3).

Celtic feast day of 'Dunchad', Abbot of Iona, died around 716.

Celtic feast day of 'Donhard', established as site of worship upon a place of druid worship at Maghera, County Down so devoted to the faith was he. A convert, he established a hermitage for Christian worship. (See Mystical WWW Mystical Time : Days of the Week - Sunday).

'Lady's Day' : (See Mystical WWW Special Days 1 April, & Easter Special).

The Christian festival of 'The Annunciation'.

An acre of turf at Runnymede identified by British Government in 1964 as a memorial to the late John F. Kennedy (USA President, assassinated under mysterious circumstances). (See Mystical WWW JFK article for more on JFK).

Celtic feast day of 'Tyfil', accidentally killed, a child saint, nephew of Teilo (9 February).

Largest confrontation in the War of the Roses between the House of York and the House of Lancaster in 1461 at Towton. Two-thirds of English nobility lost.

Celtic feast day of 'Gwynllyw Filwr', or 'Woolos', sixth century, converted to Christianity in later life. According to one story he is said to have snatched Gwladys (his future wife) from her father at the court of Talgarth in Wales, who had refused them marriage, with the help of a small army of around three hundred men. Cadoc (25 September) their son, is said to have influenced their decision towards conversion. The decision of Gwynllyw and his wife to create a new settlement at what is now known as Newport in Wales is said to have been the result of a vision of a white ox marked with a black spot above the eyes. When he saw this Gwynllyw was to establish a place of worship. It is also said that despite the potential bawdiness of their relationship, theirs was a platonic relationship, one of harshness and severe austerity. Related to Beuno (21 April).

Alaska purchased by the USA in 1867.