Summary of Ostara
Ostara is a pagan holiday; one of the eight Sabbats. Ostara marks and celebrates forthcoming of spring; the spring equinox, which occurs between March 19 -23. The word Ostara comes from the Anglo-Saxon goddess name, Eostre. Eostre represents spring and new beginnings in life.
History
Many ancient cultures in the Mediterranean region held festivals during Ostara season, such as Sham el-Nessim; an Egyptian holiday that celebrates the beginning of spring, dating back almost 5,000 years. In Persia, the festival of Nowruz marked the Spring Equinox; it is still celebrated as the new year in Iran and in many other countries, as well as in many faiths and religions.
In Northern Europe, the Latvian festival of Lieldienas was a pre-Christian equinox holiday before it was absorbed into the Christian Easter. The Norse pagans honored their female deities with a festival called Dísablót.
The Scandinavian tribes and the Anglo-Saxons are where most of our modern Ostara traditions come from, most particularly the background of the name of this Sabbat. An eighth-century scholar spoke of a Saxon goddess named Eostre (also spelled ‘Eostra’) and mentioned a feast held in her honor at spring time. Little is known about her, and as well as her Germanic equivalent, Ostara, for whom the month of April was named in ancient Germanic languages.
Modern Celebrations
One of the many ways to celebrate Ostara that you should do obvious; simply go outdoors and welcome spring time! Looks for signs of spring; Flowers/plants growing, insects buzzing around, sightings of animals such as deer, the sun shining for a longer period time in the day, etc. Imbolc was for planning on what plants/flowers you want in your garden. Now, Ostara is about taking full action on your plans. Start planting your garden!
You can also make egg based dishes and desserts. A couple of examples are custard pie and egg salad.
Spring cleaning is also an amazing way to celebrate Ostara. Spring cleaning is a way to physically as well as mentally make room for new possibilities in your life and home. I would also highly recommend smoke cleansing your home as well, right after you finish cleaning. That way, you can rid the negative energy within your home and bless it with new and light energy. Open your windows as you do this to quickly rid the negative energy within your home, as well as letting fresh air in.
Planting flowers and seedlings indoors also helps with creating new energy in your home, gifting your home with life and beauty.
Update your altar with Ostara decorations, maybe even decorate your altar for a specific deity. Don’t know what/who to decorate for? Check out the ‘Correspondences’ below to help give you an idea.
Last, but not least, take time to meditate and journal, think about your intentions for the next few weeks as it relates to the goals you want to achieve before Beltane.
Correspondences
Colors: Blue, green, pink, purple, all pastel shades
Crystals: Amethyst, aquamarine, clear quartz, jasper, moonstone, rose quartz
Herbs: Ash tree, catnip, cleaver, dogwood, Irish moss, lemongrass, meadowsweet, spearmint, woodruff
Flowers: Daffodil, dandelion, Easter lily, honeysuckle, iris, lilac, rose, tulip, violet
Incense: Jasmine, lotus, lemon, magnolia, rose, sage, strawberry, violet
Foods: Cheese, eggs, honey, milk, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, spring vegetables, sprouts, strawberries, sunflower seeds
Symbols: Birds, bumblebees, colored eggs, deer, pinwheels, plants, rabbits/hares, seeds, solar symbols, spring flowers
Goddesses: Aphrodite, Astarte, Athena, Aurora, Cybele, Eos, Eostre, Flora, Gaia, Hera, Ishtar, Persephone, Venus
Gods: Adonis, Ares, Cernunnos, Green Man, Narcissus, Odin, Osiris, Pan, Thoth
Ostara Ritual for your Garden or inside plants
Plant your garden with a variety of flowers, or pot plants within your home. If you want to plant flowers more specifically to Ostara, look to to the list of flowers in the “Correspondences” section of this article. You can also plant specific flowers for certain intentions. For example, you can plant roses for love, and daffodils for abundance.
Add crystals to your garden or next to your potted plants. This will help enhance your manifestations as well as add more beauty to your decorations. Be careful though, don’t leave crystals outside that aren’t supposed to get wet.
You’re all set! Every time you water your plants, think of the intention you set for them.
Resources
Chamberlain, L. (2021). Wicca Year of Magic: From the Wheel of the Year to the Cycles of the Moon: Magic for Every Occasion. Sterling Ethos.
Wigington, P. (2019, July 3). Everything You Should Know About Ostara, The Spring Equinox. Learn Religions. Retrieved March 2, 2023, from https://www.learnreligions.com/all-about-ostara-the-spring-equinox-2562471
