Ostara: The Spring Equinox

Ostara is one of the eight festivals on the pagan Wheel of the Year, marking the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a time of balance, renewal, and new beginnings. It typically occurs between March 19th and March 22nd. The date marks the point when day and night are of equal length, symbolizing balance.

Ostara is named after the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and dawn, who symbolizes fertility, growth, and abundance. Some traditions associate her with rabbits and eggs, which are also signs of life and rebirth. You may recognize some of these symbols in modern Easter celebrations, which have their roots in ancient pagan customs.

There are many ways to honor Ostara and welcome the spring season into your life. Here are some ideas for rituals, traditions, and activities that you can do by yourself or with others:

• Create an altar with fresh flowers, candles, crystals, eggs, seeds, or anything else that represents spring to you. You can also include images or statues of Ostara or other deities associated with this time of year.

• Perform a cleansing ritual to clear away any negative energy or unwanted influences from your home or yourself. You can use sage, incense, salt water, sound, or fire to purify your space and aura.

• Plant seeds or bulbs in your garden or pots as a symbol of planting your intentions for the new season. You can also bless them with water or moonlight to enhance their growth.

• Decorate eggs with natural dyes made from plants or spices. You can also carve symbols or words on them to represent your wishes or goals. Then you can hide them around your home or yard for yourself or others to find.

• Make a feast with seasonal foods such as greens, eggs, dairy products, honey, nuts, seeds, fruits, or flowers. You can also bake breads or cakes shaped like rabbits, eggs, or suns to celebrate the fertility and warmth of spring.

• Do some divination with tarot cards, runes, pendulums, or other tools to get guidance or insight for the upcoming months. You can also journal or meditate on your dreams, visions, or intuitions.

• Go outside and enjoy nature’s beauty and bounty. You can take a walk, hike, bike ride, or picnic in a park, forest, field, or garden. You can also collect flowers, herbs, stones, or feathers that catch your eye.

• Do some charity work or volunteerism to give back to your community or environment. You can donate money, time, skills, or resources to a cause that you care about. You can also perform random acts of kindness or gratitude towards others.

Ostara is a wonderful time to celebrate life and embrace change. By honoring this festival,

you align yourself with nature’s rhythms and open yourself up to new possibilities and opportunities.

Happy Ostara! 🌷🐰🌞