Ostara is the Wiccan holiday that honors the beginning of Spring, or the spring equinox. Wiccans celebrate renewal, growth, and rebirth at this special time of year when the natural world is awakening from its winter slumber. Ostara is a time to honor and celebrate the sacred union of masculine and feminine energies, and to embrace the cycles of change and transformation that are an essential part of life.
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The spring equinox occurs once a year, around March 20th - 21st in the Northern Hemisphere, and around September 22nd - 23rd in the Southern Hemisphere. On this day the sun is directly above the equator. Hence, the length of day and night are approximately equal all over the world. Because Ostara honors the perfect balance of opposite polarities, it's on this day that it's traditionally celebrated.
Ostara heralds the return of life to the earth, so Wiccans practice rituals and traditions that focus on fertility, growth, and renewal. They light bonfires or candles, decorate eggs, and plant seeds or bulbs to honor the earth's reawakening.
Ostara is one of the eight major holidays, or Sabbats, in the Wheel of the Year, which is a calendar of pagan festivals that mark the passage of the seasons.
Let's take a look at the Wiccan wheel of the year and the Sabbats that are celebrated with the turning of the wheel.
The Wiccan Wheel Of The Year
The Wiccan Wheel of the Year is a system of eight festivals or Sabbats that Wiccans and many other modern Pagan traditions celebrate. These festivals mark the turning of the seasons (or the turning of the wheel) as the magical cycle of the natural world.
Each of the Sabbats of the Wiccan Wheel of the Year has its own unique energy and symbolism. Because of the unique energy present in each Sabbat, Wiccans celebrate them in a variety of ways. Celebrations might include feasting, ritual, meditation, and connecting with nature.
*Scroll down to see a few ways you can celebrate and honor Ostara.
The Eight Sabbats
The eight Sabbats of the Wiccan Wheel of the Year are:
- Samhain (pronounced "sow-en"): Celebrated on October 31st to November 1st in the Northern Hemisphere, and April 30th to May 1st in the Southern Hemisphere. Samhain marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the dark half of the year. Samhain rituals are centered around honoring ancestors and the dead, and for divination and introspection.
- Yule: Celebrated on the winter solstice, around December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere and June 20th in the Southern Hemisphere. Yule marks the return of the sun and the rebirth of the year, and is a time for celebrating light and warmth, and for giving and receiving gifts. Yule is the perfect time to reflect on the darkness and challenges of the past year, and to set intentions for the coming year.
- Imbolc (pronounced "im-bulk" or "im-olk"): Celebrated on February 1st or 2nd in the Northern Hemisphere, and August 1st or 2nd in the Southern Hemisphere. Imbolc marks the beginning of spring and the first signs of new growth. Hence, it's a time for purification, inspiration, and initiation.
- Ostara: Celebrated on the spring equinox, around March 20th in the Northern Hemisphere and September 20th in the Southern Hemisphere. Ostara marks the balance of light and dark, and the return of fertility and growth to the land. Planting, planning, and renewal are an important aspect of Ostara.
- Beltane: Celebrated on May 1st in the Northern Hemisphere, and November 1st in the Southern Hemisphere. Beltane marks the height of spring and the celebration of fertility and abundance. Because of this it's a time for love, passion, and union.
- Litha: Celebrated on the summer solstice, around June 20th in the Northern Hemisphere and December 21st in the Southern Hemisphere. Litha marks the longest day of the year and the height of summer by honoring the sun, abundance, and growth.
- Lughnasadh (pronounced "loo-nuh-suh"): Celebrated on August 1st or 2nd in the Northern Hemisphere, and February 1st or 2nd in the Southern Hemisphere. Lughnasadh marks the beginning of the harvest season and the first fruits of the land. Lughnasadh is a time for gratitude, sacrifice, and celebration.
- Mabon: celebrated on the autumn equinox, around September 20th in the Northern Hemisphere and March 20th in the Southern Hemisphere. Mabon marks the balance of light and dark, and the transition from summer to fall. It's a time for reflection, thanksgiving, and preparation for the dark half of the year.
Who Is Ostara?
Many different versions of the legend of the Germanic goddess Ostara (or Eostre) have appeared throughout history. Indeed, her story is shrouded in mystery. What we know about her comes mostly from the writings of Bede, an English monk, historian, and scholar from the 8th century.
According to Bede, the month of April was known as "Eostremonath" in Old English. Bede claimed that April was originally named after the goddess Eostre (or Ostara). Because of Ostara's association with April, Bede associated her with the dawn, springtime, and the growth of new life. He also noted that people would make offerings to Eostre during Eostremonath to ensure fertility and abundance in the coming year.
She is often depicted as a youthful maiden, and is sometimes associated with the colors pink, green, and yellow.
Some sources also suggest that Ostara was associated with the Norse goddess Freya, and that she was a powerful figure in early Germanic pagan traditions.
Despite her somewhat elusive nature, Ostara remains a popular figure in modern Pagan and Wiccan belief systems.
Ostara Symbolism
Bede's writings led modern day pagans to associate Ostara with the Spring Equinox and the arrival of spring. Because of this, Osara is depicted with symbols of new life and growth. Some of the symbols Wiccans incorporate into their celebrations are:
- Eggs: Eggs symbolize new life and fertility, and are often decorated with colorful designs and used in egg hunts during Ostara celebrations.
- Baskets: Baskets are often used to hold eggs and other symbols of spring during Ostara celebrations. They can also represent the abundance of the earth and the coming of the new harvest.
- Flowers: Flowers represent the beauty and new growth of spring. They're often used to decorate altars and other sacred spaces during Ostara rituals.
- Seeds: Seeds represent the potential for new growth and new beginnings. They are often planted during Ostara celebrations as a way of honoring the coming of spring and the earth's renewal.
- Rabbits and hares: Rabbits and hares are symbols of fertility and new life. They are often associated with Ostara and are used in decorations and artwork during the holiday.
- Butterflies: Butterflies symbolize transformation and rebirth, as they go through a metamorphosis from a caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly. They make frequent appearances in Ostara artwork and decorations.
These symbols are used to connect with the energy of the holiday and to honor the themes of renewal, growth, and transformation.
Ostara And Spring Equinox Rituals
There are many different rituals and practices that you can incorporate into your Ostara celebration. Here are a few examples:
- Plant seeds or bulbs: Ostara is a time of growth and new beginnings, so planting seeds or bulbs is a common practice to honor this aspect of the holiday. Plant your seeds in a garden or in pots, and watch them grow and flourish over the coming months.
- Set your intentions: Ostara is a time of renewal and rebirth. Because of this, it's the perfect time to set intentions to let go of old patterns and habits that no longer serve you. Make space for new beginnings! Record your intentions in your journal, so that you can reflect on them the following year.
- Light candles: Light candles to represent the element of fire. Transmute fire's passionate energy this energy by lighting candles, or even a bonfire!
- Hold a ritual or ceremony: Grab your soul tribe and hold a ritual or ceremony to honor the turning of the wheel. Create an altar and call on the energies of the elements and Ostara. If you participate in a women's circle, Ostara is a wonderful theme to explore.
- Spend time in nature: Ostara is a time to celebrate the natural world and the return of spring. So, spending time outside in nature can be a powerful way to connect with the energy of the holiday. Go for a walk, hike, or simply sit outside and soak up the energy of the season. Have a look at my article on shamanic journeying if you want to connect with your power animal. Get inspired to celebrate nature with these earth day quotes.
- Work with crystals: Crystals that are associated with Ostara are citrine, averturine, clear quartz, rose quartz and amethyst. This is also the perfect time for charging your crystals with the energy of Spring.
- Hello Spring! Get ready for the breezy mood of this fresh new season with these hello spring quotes that will have you out planting seeds and spending time in nature in no time.
- Have a traditional Easter egg hunt. In fact, you can plan one indoors for big or little kids! See these indoor Easter egg hunt ideas for inspiration.
- Have A Cacao Ceremony: Get some ceremonial cacao and celebrate the awakening of the planet with a cacao ceremony.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ostara is primarily known as a celebration of the return of spring and the renewal of life after the long, dark winter. It's a time when the days and nights are of equal length, and the balance between light and dark is honored. It is a time to welcome the new growth of plants and animals, and to celebrate the themes of rebirth, renewal, and transformation.
While different sources may have slightly different interpretations of Ostara's powers, some common themes associated with her include:
1. Fertility: She has the power to bring fertility to the earth and to help plants, animals, and humans to grow and flourish.
2. Renewal and transformation: She has the power to help people let go of the past and to embrace new opportunities for growth and change.
3. Rebirth: As a goddess of the changing seasons, Ostara is associated with the power of transformation and rebirth. She is often invoked to help navigate transitions and to overcome obstacles on the path to personal growth and spiritual evolution.
The way pagans celebrated Ostara varied among different traditions and cultures, but many celebrated the holiday as a time of renewal, growth, and new beginnings. Some common practices included lighting bonfires or candles, decorating eggs, and planting seeds or bulbs. Ostara was also associated with fertility, and some traditions included rituals to honor this aspect of the holiday. In addition, many pagans celebrated the return of spring by spending time outdoors and enjoying the natural world.
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