Ostara marks the Spring Equinox, which happens between March 19-23. Ostara is a pagan celebration of the German goddess Eostre and the origins of the Christian celebration of Easter.
Eostra, Goddess of spring, is also associated with the cycles of the moon and natural places. Her priestesses were called “wudu-maer” or “Wood Mothers” and during Spring rites it was customary to offer them bread, dumplings, and buns. The markings on these cakes included the crosses and sun wheels which Saxons believed symbolized the cosmic balance of heaven and earth at the Spring Equinox. It is the point at which the Sun is directly over the equator and the planet's northern hemisphere begins to tilt toward the Sun, tipping it into Spring. Ostara is a perfect day of balance.
The holiday is one of eight sabbats on the Wiccan wheel of the year. The equinox itself, however, is an occurrence that has been observed in various ways for thousands of years all over the planet. The coming of Spring is universally exciting, and absolutely worth celebrating! Light has triumphed over darkness! Day has overtaken the night! And things are growing once more.
To celebrate, we open the doors and windows, sweep the clutter, and smoke out the stagnant vibes. We breathe new energy into plans and projects that have been germinating in darkness. And we honour our new ideas, dreams and new beginnings. As you clear your space and spirit, you make room to sew in new energies and intentions. One way of doing this is to plant them in your garden, with your plants!
Write your intentions, goals, or plans on small scraps of compostable paper, roll them up, and bury them beside your seedlings. This way, you can watch your intentions manifest as your plants grow tall and strong over the next few months.
What you plant during Ostara will be ready to be harvested during the coming summer months and the sabbats of Beltane, Litha and Lughnasadh.
Not everything needs to be released. Some things just need a little love and attention. As this is the season of renewal is an excellent time to identify what areas of your life could use some fresh energy. Once everything is in its place, and your space and your spirit are cleansed and settled, you'll be in a perfect mindset to enjoy the brighter days ahead.
Some more ideas to welcome Ostara:
Planting seeds for a vegetable garden or flower garden
Plant your intentions
Spring clean your house
Decorate an Ostara altar to honour your goddess of choice
Take a nature walk with loved ones and look for signs of spring
Host a tea party with a springtime theme
Take time to meditate/journal and think about your intentions
Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth. Establishing a new dally routine or rhythm that incorporates time spent in nature, it can help ease stress, increase productivity, and provide a boost to your
Learn something new, because the equinox is about new beginnings, it's a great time let go of the old and begin fresh. It is a great time to start something new. Take a class
Create a spring craft, especially one that's nature inspired, is a great way to
Preform an Ostara ritual - see below
Ostara Ritual
Items needed for this Ostara ritual include: Four green altar candles for the directions; Two lavender or purple altar candles for the Goddess and God; At least one cut flower for each participant in the group ritual. For solo ritual, have a minimum of four flowers to mark the cardinal directions or more to mark your circle on the floor. (You can allow space between the flowers); Flower seeds??"daisies, if possible, as this flower is associated with spring, light and the sun; A small flower pot or small paper cup filled with potting soil. You may want to decorate it with Pagan symbols such as a pentagram, spiral, or a circle with a dot in the centre; One or two long scarves; music or drumming with which to dance (optional).
Background
This ritual has been written for daytime to enjoy the warmth, light and greening earth. Ostara celebrates both the sun and the earth. It is a day to celebrate the balance of all things; female and male, the spiritual and the physical. The spiral you walked at Winter Solstice took you down inside yourself. Now is the time to follow that spiral of energy up into the light.
As Persephone re-emerges from the Underworld, animals return from their winter hibernation. One such creature is the snake, an ancient symbol of the Great Mother Goddess. Snakes dwell in both worlds: Ours and the Underworld. Because they live underground, they carry the power of Mother Earth. Into the time of ancient Greece the snake was a symbol of earthly powers especially for healing. Even today it is included in the symbol of the medical profession.
The Ritual
Lay the flowers on the floor as you cast your circle as you say:
Equal is the light and dark,
With these gifts my circle I mark.
As warm sunlight greens the earth,
The Maiden and Lord dance with mirth.
After calling each direction and deity light a candle on the altar:
Come ye spirits of the North, powers of Earth, hold me rooted by tree and flower. Bring the beauty of your lush green meadows. Be with me this day.
Come ye spirits of the East, powers of Air, sail on golden wings of dawn. Blow away the staleness of winter. Be with me this day.
Come ye spirits of the South, powers of Fire, bring the heat of noon to warm my days. Coax the seeds from the womb of the earth. Be with me this day.
Come ye spirits of the West, powers of Water, let my soul flow with the beauty of your tides. Bless the land with dew-filled mornings. Be with me this day.
Prince of Light, Lord of Spring, you wax to the fullness of youth and bless the world with your bright spirit. Join me in this sacred circle. Be with me this day.
Great Mother who gives the world form, as your web of life renews the earth, light that spark within me to awaken my soul. Join me in this sacred circle. Be with me this day.
Stand in front of the altar. Hold a few of the flower seeds in the palm of one hand, then cup your other hand over it. Close your eyes, and recall that at Winter Solstice you made a wish and set forth an intention for the New Year. Now is the time to start bringing them into the physical world.
Fix that wish or intention in your mind. Let the energy and vision flow from you into the seeds. Visualize your wish coming to fruition. Once you have clearly seen what you want to achieve or receive, place the seeds into the cup and cover them lightly with soil. After your ritual, put it in a place where you will see it frequently and be reminded of your intention.
Call forth the power of the snake to energize the seeds you have planted by dancing around your circle. Unfurl the scarves and shake them to create an undulating motion to simulate the movement of a snake. If you are using taped music or drumming, begin it now.
As you dance, call forth the power of the Mother Goddess with a chant:
Gaia rising, Gaia rising.
Mother of love, mother of life.
You may want to alternate this with the counter chant:
Gaia, Gaia, mother of all.
Gaia, Gaia, we heed your call.
When your energy has been released, bring your dancing and chanting (and taped music if used) to a close. Use your usual method for grounding.
Extinguish the altar candles in the reverse order that they were lit:
Great Mother, I ask that your blessings remain in my heart, and that I live in harmony with all that dwell on this earth. Thank you for your presence this day. Stay if you will; go if you must. I bid you farewell.
Lord of the Spring and budding new life, I welcome the growth and beauty that you bestow upon the greening land. Thank you for your presence this day. Stay if you will; go if you must. I bid you farewell.
Spirits of the West, of Waters that nourish the land, thank you for your presence this day. Stay if you will; go if you must. I bid you farewell.
Spirits of the South, of Fire that provides new beginnings, thank you for your presence this day. Stay if you will; go if you must. I bid you farewell.
Spirits of the East, of Air and precious breath, thank you for your presence this day. Stay if you will; go if you must. I bid you farewell.
Spirits of the North, of Earth that brings forth new life, thank you for your presence this day. Stay if you will; go if you must. I bid you farewell.
Raise your arms as you stand facing your altar, and say:
As all good things must sometimes end,
Go forth with the love the Goddess sends.
For if your heart is always true,
This circle will come back to you.
Reference and thanks to Sandra Kynes for the beautiful Osatra Ritual.