Ostara – Refresh, Renew, Rejuvenate

Are your thoughts turning to bunnies, eggs, spring cleaning, and the much welcomed warmer weather! That’s right friend, Ostara (the spring equinox) is on our heels. Have we started a countdown yet? 

The spring equinox is an exhilarating and energy charged time. An electric feeling of hope and positive vibes fill the air. We begin to feel awake, and rested after a long drawn out winter.

New goals, fresh motivation and spring cleaning are hot topics of discussion around Ostara.

So make room to refresh, renew, and recharge! Now is the time.

What exactly is Ostara?

Ostara or the spring equinox, is the first official day of Spring. The wondrous time of nature’s rebirth after a long dormant winter. 

Ostara falls between March 20th and 22nd. This year it will fall on Saturday, March 21st.

Inspiring and filled with promise, it’s the perfect moment for personal growth and renewed motivation.

During this time there is balance between the light and dark hours of the day. That brief period before the light over takes the dark. The turning point, as the Northern Hemisphere tilts back towards the sun and Mother Earth emerges from her long winter’s sleep.

Ostara does indeed get a spot as one of my favourite Sabbats. That feeling of saying goodbye to winter and preparing for the gentler seasons can easily fill one with motivation.

Ostara: a Bit of History

The word, Ostara, originates from the Germanic goddess of Spring, fertility and rebirth, ‘Eostre’. It is a much anticipated Sabbat in the Pagan calendar.

This holiday has a long and rich history. Traditionally this was the moment to celebrate the beginning of Spring and the new crop season ahead. Much as it is today, even though many of us are not planting our own crops anymore.

Eggs, bunnies and baskets of sweets have long been associated with this holiday, symbolizing fertility and renewed life.

The Christian holiday of Easter, likely the most widely known celebration for this time of year, overlaps with Ostara. This is not uncommon as many this occurs with Christan and Pagan holidays (a topic for an entirely different post lol).

There are numerous festivities all over the world honouring this seasonal change, mother nature and new beginnings.

Symbols of Ostara

As with most celebrations there are traditional Ostara correspondences connected to the day.

Ostara rituals, herbs, crystals, and foods all play a part in enhancing your festivities.

I hope this guide provides you with some ideas and inspiration! 

Ostara Goddesses/Gods Traditionally Honoured:

Goddesses – Eostre, Isis, Lady of the Lake, Persephone

Gods – Osiris, Adonis, Lord of the Greenwood

Herbs to Use:

• Crocus – new beginnings, love, friendship, peace
• Rose – love, healing, luck, divination
• Honeysuckle – abundance, luck, health
• Violet – love, protection, enhance spirituality
• Meadowsweet – love, divination, peace, happiness

Incense to Burn:

• Jasmine – love, meditation, relaxation, aura healing
• Sage – wisdom, prosperity, healing, longevity
• Lavender – love, sleep, purification, happiness, peace
• Lotus – fertility, clarity, cleansing, protection, luck
• Magnolia – love, loyalty, harmony, spiritual opening
• Rose – love, healing, luck, divination

Colours:

• Pastels
• Pale Green
• Aqua Pink
• Lavender
• Sweet Yellow

Crystals:

• Rose Quartz – love, self esteem, balance, self discipline, compassion
• Aquamarine – peace, courage, communication, purification
• Amethyst – self awareness, balance, serenity, intuition
• Moonstone – new beginnings, love, good fortune, calm
• Lapis Lazuli – intuition, clarity, creativity, wisdom

Animals Honoured:

• Hares
• Rabbits
• Snakes
• Unicorns
• Pegasus

Foods:

• Leafy Green Veggies
• Fresh Fruits
• Sweet Bread
• Seeds
• Sprouts

Ways to Celebrate Ostara

There are many rituals for Ostara and ways in which you can ring in this magickal day. You can make it as simple, or as complex as you might like.

Here are a few ideas to consider:

Set up an Ostara altar 

Use some of the crystals, incense, and colours I’ve listed above. Plus, decorated eggs and rabbits of course. Be creative, this need not be an expensive endeavour. It should however bring you energy and joy.

Spend Time in Nature

That is what this holiday is all about after all! Appreciate her, spend some time outdoors. Take a walk (preferably barefoot!) or just sit and enjoy the beauty of all that surrounds you. Just be.

Cleanse Your Space

A perfect time for washing away old energies so that you can have a cleansed space for the adventures to come.

Decorate Eggs

Eggs being the quintessential symbol of rebirth and fertility, their presence is plentiful during Ostara. Have some fun with this. And no, you do not need to have kids to decorate eggs. 😉

Have an Ostara Feast

Holiday festivities are rarely complete without the presence of food. Have a delectable Ostara dinner with your beloveds or on your own! Indulge and bake something sweet and seasonal like this Vegan Lilac Lemon Cake from Rainbow Plant Life.

Activity Idea:

Place a bowl of candied eggs on a counter or table top to bless a new beginning with sweetness and happiness.

Honour Thyself this Ostara

Don’t forget to honour and take care of yourself at this special time. Set new goals, do your Spring cleaning, declutter your space, make the changes you haven’t gotten around to yet. What better time than now?

Truly, everything around you is coming into the light, embrace it in all facets. Allow yourself to emerge from hibernation and embrace the light. Do things that make you feel whole, fulfilled and alive in the weeks to come.

You Do You

Most of all, the important thing is to honour nature and the coming changes in your own special way. In whatever ways make you feel connected to your surroundings and spiritually fulfilled.

What do we think?

So, tell me what are some of your favourite Spring Equinox traditions? Will this be your first Ostara celebration?

I would love to hear! Leave a comment or connect with me on social media. We are all here to inspire each other, let’s make the most of it!

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Until next time!

Blessed be pixie dolls!

Krystle xo