Celebrating Ostara: The Spring Equinox

As we tiptoe into March 20th, we don't just stumble upon another day. No, we pirouette into a pivotal point in the year where day and night graciously decide to be equals.

For a brief moment in March, light and darkness share the stage, heralding the arrival of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. This is not just any seasonal shift; it's Ostara, the Spring Equinox, a time so brimming with promise that even the most stubborn snowdrop dares to peek through the thawing earth.

The Roots of Ostara

This festival owes its name to Eostre, an Anglo-Saxon goddess associated with spring and fertility. Imagine her as the original influencer of all things spring: flowers, chirpy birds, and, yes, even those fertility symbols—eggs and bunnies. There's no concrete evidence she had a penchant for chocolate, but one can hope.

Traditions and Symbols of Ostara

Ostara traditions are as varied as the patterns on Easter eggs. One might start the day with a sunrise ritual, greeting the sun as it tips its hat to the balance of day and night. It's a moment of equilibrium, reminding us to find balance in our lives (and perhaps in our diets, but let's not get ahead of ourselves).

Some common symbols for Ostara are the following:

🥚Eggs: Eggs stand as a universal symbol of new life and rebirth, perfectly encapsulating the essence of Ostara. In Wicca and many pagan traditions, the egg represents the potential of all life, encapsulating the mystery of the universe in a simple shell. It's a potent symbol for the creation and realization of new ideas or projects, making it a central icon of the Ostara celebration.

🥚Rabbits and hares: These furry creatures are more than just adorable symbols of spring; they're ancient emblems of fertility and new beginnings. The rabbit, or the hare in some traditions, is associated with the lunar cycle and the goddess Eostre, lending its image to represent rapid growth and the burgeoning of life that spring brings. Their prolific nature makes them perfect symbols for a season of abundance and new growth

🥚Flowers: Spring flowers, particularly daffodils, crocuses, and tulips, are vibrant symbols of Ostara, each bloom a colorful declaration of life's triumph over the cold grip of winter. In Wicca, flowers are often used to decorate altars and represent the Goddess in her Maiden aspect, full of potential, youth, and beauty, embodying the renewal of the earth.

🥚The Sun: As we celebrate the equinox, the Sun is a glowing reminder of balance—between light and dark, day and night. Its increasing warmth and brightness after the equinox symbolize the awakening life and energy of the earth. The Sun during Ostara is a beacon of hope, guiding us toward longer days filled with light and warmth.

The Goddess Ostara (Eostre)

Ostara is closely aligned with the goddess Eostre, from whom the festival gets its name. Eostre is a deity of dawn, renewal, and rejuvenation, her presence heralding the return of light and warmth. She embodies the fertile earth, where all life begins anew. Celebrating her on the Spring Equinox is a way to honor the cycle of life and the renewal of the earth. In Wiccan tradition, she is often called upon during Ostara rituals to bless practitioners with fertility, both in the sense of creativity and in starting new ventures.

The Green Man

Another figure often associated with Ostara in Wiccan and pagan traditions is the Green Man, a symbol of the lushness of vegetation and the wild, untamed spirit of nature. He represents the renewing energies of nature, rebirth, and the cyclical nature of life. His visage, usually depicted as a face made of or surrounded by leaves, reminds us of the awakening earth and the greenery returning after winter's slumber.

Celebratory Suggestions

🥚Plant something: Whether it's a tree or a tiny basil plant, connect with the earth. It's not just about making things pretty; it's about participating in the cycle of life. Plus, fresh herbs for cooking? Yes, please.

🥚Have a picnic: Pack a feast and head outdoors. If the weather disagrees, an indoor picnic can be just as charming. The point is to celebrate the bounty of the earth—bonus points for seasonal and locally sourced goodies.

🥚Craft a nature altar: Gather spring flowers, light green candles (for growth and healing), and adorn your space with symbols of the season. It's a visual and spiritual reminder of the cycle of life and the beauty of renewal.

🥚Dawn chorus date: On the morning of the equinox, wake up early and step outside to listen to the birds. It's like nature's own Spotify playlist, and trust me, the birds are going all out. Coffee in hand, pajamas on—this is how you concert.

🥚Balance an egg: Because why not? It's said that during the equinox, you can balance an egg on its end. Whether or not it's true, it's a fun experiment that gets everyone laughing (and possibly questioning the laws of physics).

A Nod to the Southern Hemisphere

Now, for our friends in the Southern Hemisphere, as we in the north wax lyrical about budding blooms, you're embracing Mabon, the Autumn Equinox.

Your world is awash with the rich, warm hues of fall, a time to give thanks for the abundance of the harvest and to reflect on the balance and transition in your own lives. It's a mirror image, a dance of light and dark, each of us on opposite sides of the globe celebrating the beauty of change in our unique ways. Your Wheel of the Year spins counter to ours, yet we're all connected in the endless cycle of seasons, each turn a reminder of balance, transformation, and renewal.

So, whether you're planting seeds or gathering the last of the harvest, remember: each season has its magic, its lessons, and its beauty. Ostara and Mabon, spring and autumn, they're two sides of the same coin, spinning in harmony on the great wheel of the year.

Happy Ostara to those in bloom, and a joyful Mabon to those basking in the glow of autumn's light. Let's all celebrate the balance and embrace the change, shall we?