Ostara; A celebration of the Spring Equinox ⋆ Earth and Water

Ostara is a celebration of the Spring Equinox in the northern hemisphere and the Fall Equinox in the southern hemisphere.

What’s an equinox? I asked also, which is sad. Our modern society and culture has erased something that was such a huge part of our ancestor’s formulation of life and a massive cause for celebration.

The equinox occurs twice a year when the sun crosses the Earth’s equator and causes both day and night to be of equal length. It’s the marking of the changing of the seasons. A check point like in Super Mario where you had a hard level (say, winter) and the game let you save half way through so you don’t have to redo the whole thing when you die. If you’ve ever played video games, you know check points are a great cause for celebration.

Let’s note, for inclusiveness sake, that this doesn’t apply to the poles, since the sun dips out for months at a time and then over stays it’s welcome for also months at a time. I guess I can’t speak for that experience, but it sounds terrible to me.

Anyway, long before the word “Ostara” graced our lips, civilizations across the globe held rituals marking the spring equinox. The ancient Egyptians held the Sed Festival, celebrating the king’s rejuvenation and the land’s fertility. In Persia, Nowruz heralded the start of a new year with vibrant feasts and fire ceremonies. Even the Roman Hilaria, with its playful processions and masked revelry, resonates with the joyous spirit of spring.

Ostara’s specific name points towards a Germanic goddess, Eostre. References to her are scarce, appearing in only a handful of ancient texts. Scholarly interpretations diverge, some associating her with spring and dawn, others with love and fertility. Regardless of her precise role, Eostre’s influence on the springtime celebration is undeniable.

In the absence of concrete historical records, myth and folklore paint a vibrant picture of Ostara’s evolution. From tales of the goddess Eostre transforming a bird into a hare (symbolizing fertility somehow, I don’t get it either), to legends of eggs hidden and sought, celebrating new beginnings, these stories weave a narrative of springtime magic and renewal.

While the myths and legends add a layer of enchantment, the true essence of Ostara lies in its connection to the natural world. It’s a celebration of the burgeoning life after winter’s slumber, honoring the fertile energies that awaken the earth. It’s a time to acknowledge the balance of light and dark, day and night, reminding us of the ever-turning wheel of seasons. You know, Yin and yang and the importance of both.

Today, Ostara continues to evolve, embracing diverse interpretations and personal expressions. From planting seeds and creating nature altars to sharing feasts and practicing mindful meditation, individuals connect with the spirit of the season in unique ways.

So, as we step into the light of spring, remember that Ostara is more than just a festival. It’s an invitation to explore the mysteries of the past, connect with the rhythms of nature, and celebrate the potential for renewal within ourselves and the world around us. It’s a reminder that, just like the earth awakens with each spring, so too can we experience our own personal rebirth and embrace the vibrant journey of life.

Beyond the colorful eggs and playful bunnies, Ostara offers a profound opportunity for introspection and connection, inviting us to reconnect with our inner world, the earth around us, and the unique magick of this time of year. This is the true legacy of Ostara, a tradition passed down through generations, whispered through myths and legends, and now waiting to be reinterpreted and celebrated in your own unique way.

It’s funny how something so celebrated in our ancestor’s time has become unrecognized by the majority in our modern, disconnected time. The actual date of the equinox can vary by a few days, always staying between the 19th and the 21st of March.

Astrology recognizes this day as the beginning of Aries season as well, which is fitting since Aries is a cardinal sign which signifies the energy of new beginnings. There’s also a “horned god” that is sometimes associated with Ostara and Aries is the ram. Synchronicities everywhere.

Most would look at Ostara as Easter. It has many overlapping aspects and has, over the centuries, blended together more or less as one. I first became aware of it through the show American Gods. Which, if you haven’t seen, I highly recommend.

Ostara celebrates the ending of the cold dark winter and the beginning of the warm, bright and colorful spring. When hardships brought along by the harsh vata weather are easing and once again the earth is inviting and plentiful with food.

The history of Ostara is debated by scholars, some insisting it’s a modern creation and some tracing roots back to various gods and religions throughout history. No matter where it came from, the symbolism it carries in connecting us with our Earth and inner world is undeniable and it makes for a wonderfully spiritual celebration to partake in.

Ostara Aspects

Bright colors and pastels
Eggs
Fertility and new life
Rabbits
Seeds
Flowers
Feast (Always a feast)
Dawn
Rebirth

Ostara Rituals

Plant seeds, flowers or start your vegetable garden! Ostara is the celebration of life and earth. There’s no better way to spend it than revealing in the beauty of nature.

Make eggshell dust by drying clean, cracked egg shells and then grinding them to a powdery consistency with a mortar and pestle. Use this dust to sprinkle around your garden, plant with your seedlings and new garden occupants. Eggshells are nutritious to the growing greens. I use to watch my grandmother do this when I was a child. She mixed them into her watering can. Eggshell dust is also great for protection circles.

Set spring intentions that focus on new beginnings. They can be centered around something you want to bring to life, the higher chakras, or anything really. With the lengthening days and the shortening nights, light is now overpowering dark. As long as your intentions are positive and heart centered, you’re doing it right.

Color eggs with natural dyes! I don’t as of yet know how to do this but I plan on figuring it out this year. I’ve done a little looking into it and it seems simple enough. Raspberries for pink, turmeric for yellow, blueberries for blue. Pinterest has lots of instructions for us and maybe I’ll have a post on it by next year! (Tag me in your social media pictures though if you try it!)

Make an alter
Do crafts
Meditate on new beginnings

Ostara Crystals

Aquamarine
Rose Quartz
Amethyst
Moonstone
Tiger’s Eye
Moss Agate

Ostara Journaling

Ostara is the first day of spring and also the first day of Aries season, which brings in the astrological new year. Making this a wonderful time for new beginnings. Your journal is a dedicated space to cultivate your inner spring, nurture your aspirations, and witness your personal growth unfold. January 1st was just a practice run.

Here are some ways to utilize journaling during this transformative season:

Setting Intentions: The spring equinox marks a potent time for planting seeds of intention. What do you wish to cultivate in your life? Jot down your aspirations for the coming months, be it personal growth, creative endeavors, or improved relationships.
Reflecting on Growth: Look back at the previous months. What challenges did you overcome? What seeds have you already planted that are beginning to sprout? Celebrate your victories and acknowledge your resilience.
Identifying Areas for Renewal: Just as nature sheds its winter coat, Ostara encourages us to shed what no longer serves us. Use journaling to identify limiting beliefs, negative habits, or stagnant areas in your life that require renewal.

Nurturing Your Inner Garden:

Ostara journaling goes beyond simply listing goals. It’s about nurturing the fertile ground within you and fostering personal growth. Here are some prompts to spark your introspection:

What personal qualities do I want to cultivate this season?
What limiting beliefs or habits are holding me back?
What steps can I take to nurture my creativity and well-being?
What brings me joy and fulfillment? How can I incorporate more of that into my life?
Am I living in alignment with my values? If not, what adjustments can I make?
What do you want to create moving forward this year?
What needs to be cleaned? (relationships, environment, habits, etc)
What seeds need to be planted? (figuratively and/or physically)
What energies / vibrations come to your mind?

Ostara is about celebrating the journey of growth. Regularly revisiting your entries allows you to witness your progress, acknowledge your efforts, and find inspiration in your own resilience.

Express gratitude for the small victories, unexpected joys, and lessons learned along the way.
Acknowledge your progress, no matter how small. Celebrate even the incremental steps towards your goals.
Take time to visualize your desired outcomes. Describe how you will feel and what your life will look like once you achieve your goals.

Remember, Ostara journaling is a personal practice. There’s no right or wrong way to do it. Allow yourself to be guided by your intuition, explore different prompts, and find what resonates most deeply with you. As you commit to this practice, you’ll cultivate a fertile ground for introspection, witness your inner spring unfold, and blossom into your most authentic self.

Ostara Affirmations

I grow more every day.
I won’t compare my blooms to others.
I cleanse all that doesn’t serve me.
I am vibrant with life.
All worth anything takes time.
My life is mine to create.

Essential oils

Essential oils can be used in various ways for the celebration of Ostara! Diffusing them will bring a freshness to your home. Using them in cooking can help you intertwine your food with wellness, flavor and magic when used with intentions. Wearing them either topically (with caution and knowledge) or on a piece of diffuser jewelry can help you tune into the spirit of the holiday.

The essential oils you’ll want to gravitate toward for Ostara are the flowery and herbal ones.

Lavender
Geranium
Basil
Cilantro
Coriander
Jasmine
Rose
Magnolia
Melissa
Roman Chamomile
Rosemary
Thyme
Ylang Ylang

Make sure you know how to use the oils you choose. Research each one you decide to experiment with and always abide by cautions.

I have a course on essential oils 101. Sign up here to be notified when it launches.

Food

Obviously, anything egg related is going to be on brand for Ostara. Not exactly a vegan friendly holiday but really, which ones are? I don’t really have any alternatives for you as of yet other than just omitting this part from your celebrations.

I really want you to feel like these sorts of things are open to your own interpretation. Follow your instincts and make them your own with your own traditions and ideals.

Hot cross buns (like the song you played on the recorder in elementary school) are traditionally baked during the equinox. The cross on top of them symbolizes the balance and equality of the four seasons, the four elements, the four directions, the four phases of the moon and a whole host of other four things.

Greens
Carrots
Cakes
Herbs
Edible flowers
Asparagus
Beets

And basically any springy-type food that’s in season in March. Think colorful and creatively. Now’s when you can play with your food and make festive via decorations and what not.

Do you have any rituals and/or traditions you practice for Ostara? What about a recipe? Drop them in the comments for us!

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