Ostara ~ The Spring Equinox.

Hail Ostara, white-clad maiden. Snow and ice melt at your gaze, flowers bloom with each soft step. We who late have longed for spring-time, we welcome you at winter's end. I praise you now, O bright Ostara: Earth's cold cover send from here! — Hester Butler-Ehle

Here we are on the eve of Ostara in the Southern Hemisphere, ready to welcome the energy of renewal, fertility, and balance. Ostara, one of the eight Sabbats in the Wheel of the Year, aligns with the Spring Equinox ~ when the day and night are in perfect balance and harmony.

This marks the tipping point where the light begins to return in full force, symbolising the shift from the dormancy of winter to the abundant growth of spring.

While in the Northern Hemisphere, Ostara aligns with the Christian holiday of Easter, sharing its themes of resurrection and new beginnings, in the Southern Hemisphere, we celebrate it in September, welcoming the earth’s reawakening and the fertility that comes with it.

The Meaning of Ostara

Ostara is rooted in ancient Celtic and Germanic traditions, named after the goddess Eostre, the deity of fertility and dawn. Her influence brings with it a sense of balance and renewal, offering us the opportunity to plant seeds—both literal and metaphorical—and nurture new ideas, projects, and aspirations.

The balance of light and dark at this time is an ideal reminder to find balance within ourselves as well. Whether it’s balancing work with rest or recalibrating emotional energies, this is the perfect moment to reflect and reset.

Symbols of Ostara

The symbols of Ostara are abundant with life and vitality, celebrating the fertility of both the earth and our inner worlds:

Animals: Rabbits, hares, and lambs symbolise fertility, while butterflies and bees embody transformation and pollination.

Plants: Daffodils, tulips, and crocuses herald the return of warmth and life, while herbs like jasmine and honeysuckle bring the scents of spring into our rituals.

Colours: Soft greens, yellows, and pinks evoke the season's new growth. Robin’s egg blue and vibrant reds.

Crystals: Stones like amethyst, aquamarine, and rose quartz enhance your connection to the energies of love, healing, and emotional balance.

How to Celebrate Ostara

Ostara celebrations are a beautiful blend of ritual, nature, and creativity. Here are a few ways to honour this special time:

~ Create an Ostara Altar

Decorate your altar with symbols of spring—flowers, eggs, seeds, and vibrant colours. You can also include representations of the goddess Eostre, crystals like amethyst or rose quartz, and spring flowers like daffodils or jasmine. Light candles in pastel colours to represent the growing light.

~ Planting Seeds

Whether planting a garden or simply sowing symbolic seeds of intention, Ostara is the time to nurture new growth. Take a moment to set your intentions for the season ahead. What do you want to cultivate in your life? Visualise those dreams taking root as you place your seeds in the soil.

~ Fertility Rituals

Fertility during Ostara is not just about physical creation but also the birth of ideas, projects, and transformations. Eggs are a key symbol of this Sabbat and can be used in rituals to break through barriers or start fresh beginnings. Consider a simple egg ritual: paint or decorate eggs with symbols of what you wish to manifest, and as you plant them in the earth or place them on your altar, visualise the blossoming of your goals.

~ Ostara Feasting

Prepare a meal that honours the freshness of the season. Include hard-boiled eggs, and green vegetables like sprouts and peas. Sweet bread, hot cross buns, and honey cakes are also traditional (there are some lovely recipes for Ostara in the next blog post). As you gather with loved ones, take time to reflect on the balance in your life and the abundance that spring brings.

~ The Energies of Ostara

Ostara is a time for all things new—new beginnings, new growth, and new opportunities. The vernal equinox reminds us that life is cyclical, always moving and transforming. Just as the earth wakes from its winter sleep, so too can we awaken dormant dreams, ideas, and hopes. Whether through planting, rituals, or simple reflection, embrace this time to harmonise your inner world with the energies of balance, fertility, and creation.

As the wheel of the year turns, may your Ostara be filled with joy, growth, and the promise of new beginnings! 🌸