celebrating ostara: what, when, where, why & how.
If you are new to 'The Wheel of The Year', then it may seem a little overwhelming, as there are eight festivals during the year to get one's head around. Do not fret, as I am here to help you with the navigating of it all. I will help you by breaking it down. In this blog post I will focus on the spring equinox, Ostara.
what is ostara?
Ostara is a special time when the length of the day and night is equal (or balanced). Nature is blossoming and is at it's most fertile. Ostara is the name of the goddess which is associated with this celebration. She is also known as Eostre. Many believe that this name was inspired for the modern day celebration similar to Ostara called Easter. Ostara brings us fertility, beauty, new beginnings, growth, and play. Ostara is the maiden energy of the triple goddess. Our ancestors utilised this time to prepare for the growing season.
when is it celebrated?
Traditionally, Ostara is celebrated in the northern hemisphere between the 20th of March and the 23rd of March. In the southern hemisphere, it is celebrated between the 20th of September and the 23rd of September. Some people who celebrate Ostara will only celebrate on the exact day that the day and night are equal in length.
"The earth is fertile for new life and new dreams". - Cassie Uhl
where is it celebrated?
All over the world, Witches, Wiccans, Druids, and other Pagans across America, Canada, Europe, Australia and elsewhere, recognise and celebrate Ostara. Many people celebrate the non-pagan version of Ostara, Easter all over the world but at the same time around the world each year.
why is it celebrated?
"For our ancestors, the dawn of spring is a reason to celebrate. Warmer days brought a greater likelihood of survival and the ability to thrive." - Understanding The Wheel Of The Year by Cassie Uhl.
Ostara is also a celebration of dark and light, the balance of life. It is a chance to celebrate how far you have come, and where you came from. The new life that is being brought forth by nature, is a sign of new beginnings, a fresh start, fertile energy, and the gratitude that comes with being able to create an abundant and thriving life from the gifts of the universe.
how can I celebrate it?
Suggested ways to celebrate Imbolc:
Take action on the goals you 'planted' at Imbolc. Ostara is the perfect time (especially if the moon is in the new or waxing phase) to start something new and/or action your goals. The energy is all about new beginnings, fertility, and self confidence.
Practice divination. Awaken the psychic in you again. Practice divination and strengthen your psychic abilities. Whether it be tarot cards, oracle cards, palmistry etc.
Connect with the beauty around you. Mother Nature is putting on an extravagantly beautiful display for us. Ostara is a wonderful time to take a walk in nature, smell the flowers, and bask in all of the natural beauty around you.
Decorate eggs. Eggs are a representation of fertility and new beginnings. Decorate some eggs with images or colours that remind you of Spring.
Make chocolates. Dairy or dairy free. Dairy is associated with mother's milk (new life).
Play and do the things that bring you joy. The energy of Spring is about coming outside to play and bask in what brings us joy. Embrace this energy by doing things that bring you joy, and a childlike feeling.
Decorate your home with eggs, rabbits, pastels, and other representations of Ostara. Ostara is about fertility, beauty, love, and balance. Bring the energy into your home with representations of Spring/Ostara.
Create an Ostara altar. Create a space for your altar. Scroll down to find out suggestions on what to add to your altar. Think about what the theme of Ostara is, and add items that you feel reflect it.
Connect with a fertility and/or beauty goddess. If you like, connect with a goddess to assist you with fertility, love and beauty, by placing an offering out for them. Suggested goddesses include: Ostara/Eostre, Adonis, Artemis, Attis, Eos, Aphrodite, Cybele, Daghda.
Perform manifesting and fertility spells. Perfect time for these spells as the energy matches the intention.
Create a self love potion. Self love is assists with manifesting what we desire. It also helps us to see the beauty and magick that we behold.
Start your (or add to) your magickal herb garden. It is now a good time for planting the seeds (or adding to) for your floral/herbal and/or veggie garden. Just after the new moon is also a good time to begin planting seeds.
Hold an Ostara egg hunt. For fun, laughter, joy and happiness.
Make Hot Cross Buns.These are a traditional Ostara recipe.
Gift plants to family and friends. To share the joy and abundance of nature with our nearest and dearest. A token of a vibrant future.
magickal tools and items that represent Imbolc.
Food and Drink
Breads
Hot Cross Buns
Chocolate
Eggs
Dairy
Seeds
Meat or Meat Substitutes
Edible Flowers
Green Vegetables
Fresh Juices
Crystals
Clear Quartz
Rose Quartz
Agate
Amazonite
Jasper
Lapis Lazuli
Rhodonite
Unakite
Pink or Green Tourmaline
Sodalite
Herbs & Flowers
Lilies
Lavender
Honeysuckle
Lemon Balm
Daffodils
Narcissus
Incense
Floral
Rose
Strawberry
Oak Moss
Sandalwood
Altar Items
Altar cloth (colour associated with Ostara or white)
Candles (Pink, Yellow, Green, Pastels)
Crystals (Suggestions above)
Triple Goddess Statue (or chosen Goddess representations)
Ribbon (Pink, Yellow, Green, Pastels)
Picture of the Sun & Moon (Moon Phase First Quarter)
Yin & Yang Symbol
Incense (Suggestions above)
Runes (Suggestions below)
Flowers (Suggestions above) or potted plant/s (suggestions above)
Eggs (Painted, plain or shells)
Rabbit symbols
Goddess/God offerings (research what each like or offer food that you have created)
Ostara Correspondents
Moon Phase: First Quarter Moon
Element: Air
Zodiac: Aries & Pisces
Runes: Berkana, Gebo, Wunjo, Inguz, Daguz, Laguz
This may look and feel like a lot of information, and may feel overwhelming. My suggestion is to take one or two things that resonate with you and apply it to your first celebration. You may find that your intuition will guide you anyway. After all, our bodies are connected with the cycle of Mother Nature herself.
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post. I hope it was helpful to you. Please feel free to share and like it if you liked it.
RESOURCES:
'Wicca' by Harmony Nice
'The Complete Grimoire' by Lidia Pradas
'Understanding The Wheel Of The Year: Your Handbook To Honoring The Eight Seasonal Celebrations' by Cassie Uhl
Watch how I celebrated Ostara previously in the video below.
Do you celebrate Ostara? How will you be celebrating it? Let me know in the comments below.
Blessed be
Cassie xx
#Ostara #Ostarablessings #howtocelebrateostara #learnaboutostara #whatisostara #springequinox #wheeloftheyear #sabbats
