Celebrating Ostara

Lady Crescent
Sep 14
9 min read

Traditions, Origins, Correspondences, Deities, Folklore, Dates, and Everything else you need to know...

OSTARA | [AWE-STAR-AH]

Related to the Greek word 'Eos' meaning dawn, and in Germany 'Ost' meaning East, the direction of dawn.

Here in New Zealand, for some reason, they celebrate all the calendar events as they happen in the Northern Hemisphere - as if somehow, if they did not follow their Queen (may her spirit finally rest in Summerland) and her Country's traditions to a tea (pun intended), they would not be seen as a part of the common wealth...

This year I have decided to go back to my roots, and stop trying to please others by sacrificing my own beliefs that tie in with eons of generations that have come before me. And this year I have challenged myself to teach/share/introduce with others, the sabbats of The Pagan Calender Wheel, and sometime soon next year, find those who would like to come and celebrate one of these glorious ancient events with me - events which have inspired the "bastardized" ones we have today.

According to the Pagan Calendar... we (The Southern Hemisphere) should be celebrating "Easter" in our Spring, this year it was on the 23rd of September - technically starting on the 20th and ending on the 23rd.

I don't know about you... but this makes a whole lot more sense to me..?

Note; you'll find in most ancient rituals from a variety of cultures, not just Germanic-Paganism nor Paganism in general, that, most celebrations span over a good couple of days and sometimes weeks depending.

The Pagans were all about celebrating with the seasons - as they would harvest, hunt, forage and feast with the seasons as well - choosing to become more in-tune with Mother Goddess, and her creations, and learning to be more grateful for her natural life cycles.

Have you noticed, now, how special the name Easter is even in it's "basterdized" form?

Remember "Ost" in Germany means East... have you ever wondered why Christians and Catholics called the birth of Jesus "Easter"?

Yeah, they don't know either...because pretty much all of their events and celebrations and stories are based on the Ancient Pagan Calendar used and seen throughout history, the first recorded calendar can be seen 800BC - 1300BC (although this is not believed to be it's origin) even today many Historians, Philosophers, Scientists and Archeologists have not been able to trace its first steps as it is quite literally so ancient and so old, and is believed and recorded as the basis of all religions and traditions that we still honour in this modern world. Noting that the Christian Easter was only created in 30AD.

As we continue to talk about the Sabbats, you'll start to see and point out many 'similarities' with our christianized calendar, to those of its Origins - and you'll start to learn the true reasons of why we originally celebrated, when we celebrated and the beautiful and sometimes not so beautiful origin stories, folklores and traditions that came (and for the few of us, still come) with them.

Fun fact: The Equinoxes and Solstices are indeed quite 'new aged', as well as cosmology and astrology, only recorded and "founded" in 500BC - 300BC by this greek guy Hipparchus, a very early-for-his-time Greek Astronomer... Meaning; even though they might sound as ancient as The Wheel they do not derive nor relate to the origins of the Ancient Pagans.

Anyway enough #nonhomoginisedhistory - let's get into it!

With all this talk of honouring the natives and the origins and respecting cultures that came before us, in this 'trendy' era of #cancelculture - if we're going to talk the talk, we better walk the walk! So let's start by learning the structure of it all - The Ancient Pagan Calendar Wheel.

Introducing Ostara

Ostara is a Pagan solar holiday honoring the spring's warmth, light from the sun, and the awakening of the earth. Pagan celebrations during this holiday have themes of balance, renewal, and rebirth.

Like all things within the Pagan sector - there is a great celebration of dualism and the need for balance on both sides of every spectrum... such as; dark and light, masculine and feminine, inner and outer, white magik and black magik, sun and moon, horned god and moon goddess, above and below, fire and water, earth and air, vessel and spirit, etc, etc.

In Ostara, we celebrate both the death of darkness and the birth of sunlight, along with the Goddess of Spring and of the dawn, Eostre.

Ostara is a time when the natural world is being brought back to life, the Sun is regaining it's strength and the days start to become longer and warmer. The promise of Imbolc is fulfilled, and is now time for the dreams and desires of Imbolc to become reality.

The energy of Ostara feels new, fresh, abundant, and lush. It is the first true day of Spring!

The Cherry Blossom trees have bloomed in the warmth of the new light, and bird song welcomes itself into the early mornings.

As much as we have been made to believe that Ostara takes its name after the Germanic goddess, Eostre/Ostara, who was traditionally honoured in the month of April (Southern Hemisphere Samhain) with festivals to understandably celebrate fertility, renewal, and re-birth - Samhain being the OG 'Halloween', Celebrating and honouring the dead.

Eostre was actually only first recorded by a monk in the 8th century BC, whilst Ostara came about as early as 1300 BC.

So, before the Great Germanic Goddess Eostre received her promotion as the star of the Sabbat, Ostara was simply celebrated by letting go of what no longer served us and keeping only the things, feelings, and people that brought us joy whilst we celebrated the return of the light, as plants and crops would finally be able to grow once again. Hence why we traditionally use Spring as the time to declutter and clean.

However, Eostre did in fact "inspire" *cough cough* was stolen by the Catholics and Christians to create the celebration of Easter which has evolved into what it is today...

Thieving aside, Eostre inspired the naming of the hormone Estrogen, essential to women's fertility....so that's a win..?

It is said the Eostre is believed to have the head and the shoulders of a Hare, not the knees or the toes though...

And others describe her as seen below...

The 'Equivalents' and Other Names of Ostara:

Ostara, also called the Spring Equinox, is a sabbat celebrated by Pagans, Wiccans, and witches worldwide. While “Ostara” is most commonly used among modern Pagans, this festival of renewal has had many names across cultures and time. Its equivalents include:

• Alban Eilir:

A term from Druidic traditions, meaning “The Light of the Earth,” emphasizing the balance of light and dark at the equinox.

• Vernal Equinox:

A more scientific term that marks the point when day and night are equal in length.

• Eostre:

In some Germanic traditions, it refers to the goddess associated with dawn and renewal, whose name inspired the term “Easter.”

Despite the differing names, these celebrations share common themes: the balance between light and dark, the rebirth of life, and the warming of the Earth as winter fades into spring.

Correspondences of Ostara

When celebrating Ostara, it’s common to use specific correspondences—colours, herbs, crystals, and symbols that align with the energy of the sabbat. Here are some traditional correspondences for Ostara:

• Colours:

Soft pinks, light greens, yellows, purples, and pastels represent the fresh and delicate energy of early spring.

• Herbs:

Lavender, rosemary, marjoram, violets, and mint are used for rituals or offerings to symbolize renewal and balance.

• Crystals:

Rose quartz for love, citrine for optimism, and amethyst for spiritual awakening.

• Symbols:

Eggs (symbolizing new life), rabbits or hares (representing fertility and rebirth), and seeds (for growth).

These correspondences can be incorporated into altars, rituals, and even daily life to attune with the energy of Ostara.

Deities of Ostara

Ostara is often associated with deities that embody renewal, fertility, and the life-giving power of spring. Some of these deities include:

• Eostre/Ostara:

The Germanic goddess of dawn, associated with hares and eggs. Her energy represents fertility, new beginnings, and the returning warmth of the sun.

• Persephone:

In Greek mythology, Persephone’s return from the underworld signals the arrival of spring and the rejuvenation of life.

• Pan:

A Greek god of nature, wild places, and fertility, Pan’s presence during Ostara symbolizes the untamed energy of new growth and the awakening of the Earth.

• The Green Man:

A representation of the Earth’s spirit, the Green Man symbolizes the growing power of nature, bursting forth as plants and trees awaken to the new season.

These deities are often honoured through offerings, rituals, or simply by spending time in nature and appreciating the rebirth of life around us.

Folklore and Stories of Ostara

Ostara’s folklore is rich with stories of rebirth, balance, and nature’s mysteries. Many tales tell of Eostre’s transformation of a bird into a hare that could lay eggs, symbolizing both the fertility of spring and the unusual nature of life’s changes. This story is believed to be one of the origins of the Easter Bunny, blending Pagan symbols into modern celebrations.

There are also stories of the balance between light and darkness, as the Spring Equinox is a time when day and night are perfectly equal. This moment of balance was seen as a time when the world paused between the dark and light halves of the year, making it ideal for setting intentions and preparing for the growth and abundance of the months to come.

Dates of Ostara

Ostara, or the Spring Equinox, falls between March 20th and 23rd in the Northern Hemisphere, and between September 20th and 23rd in the Southern Hemisphere. The exact date may vary slightly each year, but it always marks the moment when the day and night are of equal length, symbolizing balance and harmony.

Celebrating Ostara in the Southern and Northern Hemispheres

Celebrating Ostara in the Southern Hemisphere

In the Southern Hemisphere, Ostara is celebrated around September 20th-23rd. Here, the season is warming, the days are growing longer, and flowers are beginning to bloom. It’s the time when the Earth awakens after winter’s chill, and the promise of Imbolc is fulfilled with the first true signs of new life. Celebrating Ostara in the Southern Hemisphere is all about honouring the return of light, planting seeds of intention, and embracing the new beginnings in nature.

Ways to Celebrate in the Southern Hemisphere:

• Plant a Garden:

Symbolize your intentions for the year by planting herbs, flowers, or vegetables. As these plants grow, so will your hopes and dreams.

• Decorate an Ostara Tree:

Just as we decorate trees for Yule, an Ostara tree can be adorned with blown and painted eggs, ribbons, and fresh flowers. It’s a beautiful way to bring spring’s energy into your home.

• Watch the Sunrise:

Honour Eostre by rising early to watch the dawn. As the sun rises, reflect on your personal growth and the new beginnings you’re ready to welcome into your life.

Celebrating Ostara in the Northern Hemisphere

In the Northern Hemisphere, Ostara is celebrated around March 20th-23rd. Here, the snow is melting, the ground is softening, and buds begin to appear on the trees. It’s a time to celebrate balance, rebirth, and the return of warmth and life after the long winter.

Ways to Celebrate in the Northern Hemisphere:

• Egg Hunts and Egg Magic:

Decorate eggs with symbols of new beginnings and hide them for an Ostara egg hunt. Eggs can also be used in spellwork for fertility, creativity, or abundance.

• Spring Cleaning:

Use this time to cleanse your home, physically and energetically. Clear out clutter and smudge with sage or rosemary to make space for the new.

• Balance Ritual:

To honour the balance of light and dark, create a simple ritual with two candles—one black and one white. As you light them, reflect on areas of your life where you seek balance and where you might need to let go or welcome new energy.

Simple Modern Witchcraft:

Spells and Activities for Ostara 🌙

Ostara’s energy is perfect for spells and rituals focused on growth, renewal, and manifestation. Here are a few simple ideas to incorporate into your Ostara celebrations:

• Egg Blessing Spell:

Take a fresh egg and write your hopes for the coming season on the shell. Bury the egg in your garden or a potted plant, symbolizing the planting of your intentions and watching them grow.

• Flower Charm for New Beginnings:

Gather petals from spring flowers (such as daisies or cherry blossoms) and place them in a small pouch. Add a piece of rose quartz and carry this charm with you to invite love, growth, and fresh starts into your life.

• Seed Planting Ritual:

As you plant seeds, chant:

“With this seed, I plant my dreams,

In sun’s warm light and moon’s soft beams.

May they grow strong, may they grow tall,

Blessings come as life’s light calls.”

Water the seeds and place them in a sunny spot, envisioning your goals taking root and growing.

• Make Ostara Water:

Leave a bowl of water outside under the equinox sun and moonlight. Use this water to bless your home, altar, or self, bringing the balanced energy of Ostara into your life.

Embracing the Spirit of Ostara

Ostara is a celebration of hope, balance, and the endless cycle of life. It’s a time to honour the Earth’s renewal, the returning warmth of the sun, and the potential for new beginnings that lies within each of us. Whether you choose to celebrate through simple rituals, planting in your garden, or simply taking a moment to appreciate the changing season, Ostara invites you to align with the rhythms of nature and embrace the magic of renewal. 🌿🌷