The days are once again getting longer. The soil is warming and bright green starts to cover the land as spring returns. The first day of Spring, Spring Equinox has returned! With it the holiday of Ostara! Now is the time to celebrate new beginnings, growth, love, and fertility in all of it’s aspects; in nature and in your own life. The Spring Equinox is the perfect time to welcome spring and revel in the gift of life and all that it provides.
What is Ostara?
Ostara is a celebration of the Spring Equinox. The name comes from the goddess Ostara or Eostre. Many of the practices that are now associated with Easter, even the name Easter itself stems from the ancient pagan practices of the Spring Equinox. For example, planting eggs in the ground for fertility, and the associates with rabbits and chicks. In the Wiccan belief system, Ostara is the time of the year when the Maiden Goddess and Young God are wed. Ostara is a celebration of new beginnings, growth, love, and fertility. Since Ostara is also the Spring Equinox it also marks a return to balance, as the light and dark are once again in balance as they were at the Fall Equinox. It marks the changing of nature from winter to spring and growth that culminates with the bounty of summer.
Related:
What is Mabon? | What is Samhain? | What is Yule? | What is Imbolc? | What is Ostara? | What is Beltaine?
Other Names:
Eostre’s Day, Eostre, Spring Equinox, Vernal Equinox
Looking for more Ostara inspiration, information, & ideas?
When is Ostara?
Around March 21st
Activities to Celebrate Ostara
- Egg hunt.
- Dye Eggs.
- Plant seeds/seedlings.
- Enjoy nature/go for a nature walk.
- Forage for wild spring edibles.
Ostara Correspondences
Symbols
- Rabbits/Bunnies
- Eggs
- Flowers
- Birds – Especially Robins and other harbingers of spring.
- Baskets
- Lambs
Deities
- Eostre
- The Maiden
- Astarte
- Aurora
- Kore
- Persophone
- The Green Man
- Osiris
- Dionysus
- Ares
- Adonis
- Venus
- Aphrodite
- Narcissus
Colors
- White
- Greens
- Light Yellow
- Light Pink
- Pastel Blue
- Pastel Purple
Herbs & Flowers
- Violets
- Crocus
- Daffodil
- Tulip
- Jasmine
- Rose
- All Spring Flowers
- Iris
- Peony
- Narcissus
- Ginger
- Sage
- Lavender
Stones & Gems
- Amethyst
- Jasper
- Aquamarine
- Rose Quartz
- Moonstone
Foods
- Spring greens & herbs
- Eggs
- Custards
- Quiches
- Edible Flowers
- Honey cakes
- Hot Crossed Buns
- Violet Jelly
- Strawberries
- Chocolate
- Lamb
The Spring Equinox is the perfect time of year to embrace new beginnings and nurture new changes in your life. It is also a time to honor the beauty and wonder that is life. Enjoy nature, enjoy the present, and enjoy if only for a moment how amazing it is that we are alive on this Earth and are able to experience life in all of its pain and joy.
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