Ostara
Spring brings New Life and New Beauty to all that Is.
Ostara is also known as the Spring Equinox. Day and Night are in balance. The year is growing (waxing) and Light will begin to last longer than the dark. It’s a time of hope, growth, renewal, resurrection and faith.
Usually celebrated on or around the Equinox March 21-23. Some celebrate it closer to the time of actual garden planting and the Christian Holiday Easter.
Easter is one of the main Christian Holidays that correlate to ancient Pagan Festivals and Celebrations. The “Easter Bunny” , “Easter Eggs” and “Baskets” are all symbols of this ancient wonderful holy day.
Ostara Correspondences
Colors:
Pastels, Light Green, Gold, Yellow, Robin Egg Blue, Pale Pink
Incense:
Jasmine, Light Scented Floral, Garden, Rain, Orange, SandleWood
Herbs:
Rose, Violet, Jasmine, Clover, Honeysuckle, Iris, Tulips, Lilac
Oils:
Sandlewood, Patchouli, Ying-Yang, LemonGrass
Stones:
Blood Stone, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Moss Agate, Jasper, Moon Stone, Quartz and Rose Quartz
Foods:
Eggs, Ham, Honey Cakes, Banana Bread, Lemonade, Milk, Fresh Fruits, Hot cross Buns
Animals:
Rabbits, Chicks, Butterflies, Lambs, Robins, Snakes
Symbols:
Colored Eggs, Baskets, Spring Flowers, Baby animals, Bees, Cross
Trees:
Birch, Ash, Alder
Spells:
Any works involving balance; romance; renewal/new beginnings; gardening; planting metaphorical seeds/making plans; creativity; fertility; growth; happiness; healing.
Traditions:
Coloring Eggs– Use food coloring and vinegar/water mixture to dye hard boiled eggs. Markers or other creative items can be used to decorate the eggs. This is a tradition that has been around many families for centuries.
Egg Hunt – Hide the colored eggs and allow your young ones to go on a egg hunt. They can collect their eggs in their baskets. Plastic eggs with treats inside can also be used — and kids around the world love this tradition.
Feast – Gather with friends and family to feast and celebrate the coming of spring. Easter celebrations have included these activities for centuries.
Altar Decorations – Change your Altar to reflect Ostara. Decorate it with eggs, bunnies, butterflies or other symbols of the holiday.
Nature Walk – Enjoy the beginning of spring with a nature walk. Take time to notice the new life blooming in nature. Recognize the Equinox and balance yourself.
History:
The spring equinox has been celebrated across cultures for thousands of years. Ostara is an ancient festival of Germanic origin celebrating the Goddess of the dawn. This name came from the Goddess of spring and the dawn, Eostre (which has had multiple spellings through the ages, including Ostara and Austrō). The Germanic people named their month (equivalent to our April) Ēosturmōnaþ after the Goddess.
The biggest influence Ostara traditions have had that we still can see in modern times is the Christian holiday Easter. The name Easter is a derivative of Ostara (Eostre—just change the ‘o’ to an ‘a’ and invert the ‘er’ at the end). And of course, we’re all familiar with the Easter Bunny and Easter egg activities.
Easter – Ostara is a celebration of hope, renewal and resurrection. The dark has subsided and the sun begins his rule. The history of Easter in Christianity relates to the crucifixion of Jesus and his Rising from the Dead as Christ and Lord.
All across the Earth the Spring Equinox is a time of balance and renewal. Gardens are being planted – seeds are sprouting. The cycle of life is growing and beginning to flourish. Shake off the cold, dark of winter and bask in the warm golden light of the Sun.
Water Types and Uses
