Ostara marks the pagan and pre-Christian celebration of spring. Each year it occurs during the Vernal Equinox, taking place from March 20-22 in the Northern Hemisphere and September 20-22 in the Southern Hemisphere.
Neo-pagan and Wiccan traditions believe this holiday is a celebration of Ostara, also known as Eostre, a Teutonic goddess of fertility. Not much is known about Eostre, and pagan tribes—particularly the Germanic, Celtic, and Norse—did not write down their language beyond the symbolic and spiritual use of runes. Therefore, most knowledge of pagan traditions has been passed down through the observations of Romans or Christian researchers. From what we do know, Eostre was worshipped by the pagan Germanic tribes, and since many traditions were shared among tribes and cultures, it’s possible the celebration of her day traveled elsewhere in Europe.
It is believed that Eostre was symbolized by the rabbit, hare, and eggs, all of which symbolize fertility and the renewal of life. At this time of year, day and night are at equal length, and the sun is gaining strength and potency.
The flowers poking through the snow at Imbolc are now blooming, or have been replaced with new blossoms. Chickens begin laying eggs again, and traditionally lambs are sheared during this time, which is why one traditional food is shearing or clipping cake, which was shared after a long day of sheep shearing.
At this time of year, the animals are laying eggs, mating, and giving birth to new generations. This begins the celebration that will occur on May 1, Beltane, which is a further celebration of spring, fertility, and sexuality.
Ostara Herbs
If you’d like to use herbs for magical purposes, these are the herbs associated with Ostara:
Acacia - Alder - Anemone - Apple - Ash - Benzoin - Birch - Bistort - Blackthorn - Bluebell - Calendula - Caraway - Greater & Lesser Celandine - Cleavers - Coltsfoot - Crocus - Daisy - Forget-Me-Not - Frankincense - Gorse - Ground Ivy - Lemon Verbena - Lemongrass - Mugwort - Myrrh - Nettle - Pine - Primrose - Sneezewort - Spearmint - Tansy - Violet
If you want to use Ostara herbs to make a sugar scrub, bath soak, or other beauty-related products, you can use:
Apple - Birch - Calendula - Myrrh - Stinging Nettle - Pine - Violet
To be sure, Stinging Nettle is not always the most fun plant to use on your body. I recommend washing it off as soon as you can, especially if you put in a bath soak. Otherwise, you could make a face mask out of pureed and strained apple with some violet flowers, or make a sugar scrub with coconut oil and calendula.
Colors
Pastels - Gold - Green - Indigo - Red - Pink - Yellow - Blue - Light Purple
Symbols
Eggs - Rabbits & Hares - Lamb
Foods for Ostara
The foods associated with Ostara are based on what’s in season, particularly when it comes to herbs, fruits, and vegetables. Fish was always an option for those who lived in coastal areas or near bodies of water, otherwise around this time people would either be cleaning out their pantries or cleaving new meat, knowing more would be to come.
Some of the common foods for Ostara are:
Fresh Herbs - Lemon - Eggs - Lamb - Honey Cakes - Figgy Pudding - Clipping Cake or Shearing Cake- Honey - Simnel Cake - Strawberries - Milk
You can find recipes for Ostara on my Ostara Pinterest board, or around the internet, or even use dishes you already like. I love getting creative with recipes for deviled eggs, but you can also opt for something simple like strawberries with honey and cream.
Traditions for Ostara
If you want to perform a ritual, Ostara is a great time to manifest new beginnings and new life. This can involve writing a detailed list of what you want to manifest in your life, and doing with that list what you feel guided to—burying it in the ground, setting it on fire to make your wishes known, releasing it into the ocean, sleeping with it under your pillow, carrying it around with you in a mojo bag.
You can also call in your spirit guides, deities, fairies, and any other spirits you work with, and ask them to help bring in new things to your life that are only for your highest good. You can also ask for specific things you want in the spring and summer seasons ahead. It’s up to you where you feel comfortable doing this—it could be outside, at home in front of your altar, or even in the privacy of a bathroom if you don’t want other people to hear it. In whatever way you can, I do recommend connecting with nature, even if it’s just holding an egg in your hands with an open window near you. Release your wishes and feelings into the wind, and imagine them getting carried forward by the spirits who work with you.
Because Ostara marks the beginning of spring, this can be a powerful time to work with nature. It can also be very grounding, which honestly, might provide some much-needed relief after Pisces season and going through Mercury retrograde. Connecting to the Earth, to nature, and to the elements of Earth and Wind can do wonders for the soul.
That being said, don’t be afraid to open your windows or step outside, even if just for a little bit. This is also a good time to do some spring cleaning.
Getting Ready for Warmer Months
This holiday marks the beginning of spring, but it’s important nonetheless because it means we’re emerging from the retreat of autumn and hibernation of winter. Spring is the time when we, just like plants and animals, emerge and begin to enjoy the warmer temperatures, longer days, shorter nights, and greater energy in the air.
Spring is the beginning of our emergence into the world, and summer is the culminating season of this energy. When autumn arrives, it marks our return to focus inward, which intensifies in the winter months. While we’re at the beginning of spring, before that desire to do more and be outdoors more often increases, this is a great time to do spring cleaning in every aspect of your life—physical, emotional, mental, spiritual. Release the old, close old chapters, dust off things you want to use, smudge or spray the areas that need it, and make space for new energy to come into your life.
May spring bring the new beginnings you’re hoping for you in your life.
Blessed Ostara!
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