Preparing for Ostara

Ostara is a traditional holiday celebrated by many Pagans; other religions have similar holidays.  It occurs on the Spring Equinox, usually on March 20 or 21; in 2009, it’s March 20.  Many themes are associated with this sabbat, each offering its own ideas for celebrations.  Good books include Ostara: Customs, Spells & Rituals for the Rites of Spring and Celebrating the Seasons of Life: Samhain to Ostara : Lore, Rituals, Activities, and Symbols.

The New Year Begins in Spring

Some traditions, such as Persian and Balinese, mark the New Year at the Spring Equinox.  This makes sense given that the world is renewing itself and people are reviving after the cold dark winter.  The New Year is a time to forgive old disputes and to start new projects.

Decorate the altar with symbols of rebirth and beginnings, such as seeds or eggs.  Green and gold are colors of life and growth.  Ritual activities may include making plans or wishes for the coming year.

Spring Has Sprung

The Spring Equinox officially marks the first day of spring.  In many places, early flowers are blooming, trees are budding, and animals are emerging from hibernation.  This is the season of renewal.

For a seasonal festival, choose decorations that represent spring, or use “Year Wheel” decorations oriented with spring at the top.  Choose pastel colors: pink, yellow, sky blue, mint green, and lavender.  Potted or cut flowers such as crocus, daffodils, and tulips are appropriate; so are blooming branches of forsythia, apricot, maple, or pussywillow.  Rituals may describe the features of spring and bless new projects.

Honoring Eostre

Eostre is the Germanic goddess of spring and fertility.  Her name gives us words like “estrus” and the holidays Ostara and Easter.  She awakens the Earth after winter, encouraging it to grow and flourish.  Her priestesses are usually girls or young women.

Traditional activities include washing in dew or running water to promote beauty.  Eggs and cross buns are traditional foods.  Rituals to honor Eostre may be held early in the day, as her special time is dawn.  Decorate with sunrise colors — peach, pink, yellow, gold — plus the pale greens of spring.

Balance

“Equinox” means “equal night” — that is, day and light are of equal length at this time.  On the spring equinox, dark and light are balanced, and light is growing stronger.  This symbolizes other types of balance in our lives.

A celebration of balance usually includes counterpoints, so you might have a priest representing Day and a priestess representing Night.  Decorate with both contrasts such as black and white.  Useful symbols include balance scales, or sun for day and stars or moon for night.  Meditate on balance.

Plants and Seeds

By this time, the growing season has started.  Early plants are sprouting and blooming.  Seedling trees and shrubs are planted so they get a head-start on the grass.  Seeds for spring and early summer crops such as peas and lettuce can be planted as soon as the ground becomes workable.  Thus, many Ostara celebrations focus on plants and seeds.

Decorate the altar with flowers or blooming twigs.  Alfalfa or bean sprouts are decorative and edible, as are certain flowers.  Saffron, a precious spice made from crocus flowers, is an ideal offering or seasoning.  For a ritual activity, consider planting seeds to represent hopes and plans.

Ducks and Bunnies

Animal correspondences for Ostara include those which bear their young at or near this time of year, and those associated with fecundity and abundance.  Rabbits and hares, ducks and chickens, lambs, and goats all appear — often as babies, or even eggs.  They are sacred to Eostre and other goddesses of spring.

Celebrate by honoring just one animal, or all of them.  Put pictures or statues of the animal on the altar.  Decorate eggs to hide and hunt.  Tell myths and legends about the animals, or re-enact scenes as part of a ritual.  If you raise any of these as livestock, consider a blessing for them.