Ostara: Blessings of Mean Earraigh! by Penelope Davis

Ostara, also known as the Spring Equinox, is one of the eight Sabbats in the Wheel of the Year, a central part of many Pagan, Wiccan, and Neo-pagan traditions. Celebrated around March 20th or 21st in the Northern Hemisphere, the equinoxes mark a time of balance and renewal as day and night are equal in length. Ostara is a joyous festival that invites reflection on new beginnings, growth, and the rebirth of nature. For many, Ostara marks the beginning of spring and the equinox is denoted this way on the Gregorian Calendar.

The Origins and Mythology of Ostara

Ostara’s origins are complicated and there are many contradictory beliefs about where the holiday originates. For some, Ostara’s name is derived from Eostre, a Germanic goddess of spring and fertility. Ancient cultures, including the Anglo-Saxons and Norse, celebrated this time of year in honor of Eostre, who was associated with the rebirth of the land, renewal of life, and the blooming of flowers. While historical records on Eostre are scant, her legend has persisted in modern times through the imagery of springtime and fertility. For others the origin dates back to Babylon. Regardless, all over the world the Spring Equinox is a time of growth and celebrating spring. 

The Spring Equinox itself has a deep connection to the solar and lunar cycles, as the sun reaches a point where it is directly above the equator, creating equal amounts of day and night. This moment of equilibrium is seen as a powerful time for balance and harmony.

Key Themes of Ostara

  1. Balance and Harmony: Ostara falls at a time when day and night are in perfect balance. This symbolizes the equilibrium between light and dark, active and passive energies, and the yin and yang within us. It’s a reminder that in order to grow, we must find balance between work and rest, action and reflection.
  2. Renewal and Rebirth: Trees bud, flowers bloom, and the animal kingdom stirs with new life. This is a time of planting seeds, both literally and metaphorically. Just as the earth begins to renew itself, so too can we renew our intentions, goals, and dreams. Ostara is a time to plant the seeds of future growth and to nurture them with care and attention.
  3. Fertility and Growth: Ostara is often seen as a celebration of fertility, not only in the natural world but in our creative and personal lives. It encourages us to nurture our own potential, whether that be through the growth of a new project, a new relationship, or personal development. The fertility symbol is seen throughout the festival in the form of eggs, seeds, and rabbits — all symbols of new life and creation.
  4. Connection to Nature: With the Earth waking up from its winter slumber, Ostara encourages us to spend time outdoors, reconnecting with the natural world. It’s a wonderful time to observe the rebirth of the planet — to feel the warmth of the sun, hear the birds sing, and watch the plants and trees begin to grow once more.

Let's Celebrate!

There are many ways to celebrate Ostara, both through ritual and everyday practices. Some common traditions include:

  1. Decorating Eggs: Eggs are a symbol of fertility and new beginnings. Decorating them has become a beloved tradition for Ostara. Whether through painting, dyeing, or carving, these eggs can be placed on an altar, used in rituals, or given as gifts.
  2. Spring Cleaning: Just as the Earth is being renewed, so too can our spaces. Ostara is a great time for cleaning and clearing away the old to make way for the new. This practice can be both physical (cleaning your home) and spiritual (letting go of negative thoughts or habits). One way of doing this is to open the doors and windows and as you clean, allow the energy to move through the house. Bells, chimes, and music are great ways to help facilitate the movement of energy and this can help lift the energy of your household after the long, dark winter months. 
  3. Planting Seeds: Whether in your garden, in pots, or even in a small herb garden indoors, planting seeds during Ostara symbolizes the planting of intentions for the year ahead. As you plant, visualize your dreams and goals growing strong and healthy over the coming months. 
  4. Honoring the Sun: Ostara is a time when the power of the sun begins to increase, and rituals that honor the sun’s warmth and light are powerful during this time. You can light candles, meditate, or hold rituals that call on solar energy to bring warmth and growth to your life. Simply sitting outside in the sun or taking a walk in a park can be a great way to connect with the sun. Making sun water is another thing that you can do. This can be consumed, used to make sigils, used to clean and cleanse your home, or used to water plants. In a similar method to making moon water, take water in a chalice or other container and call on the solar energy and focus that into the water. You could passively leave a container of water under the sun to charge, but I recommend active engagement with charging waters. You could add stones to it, but make sure they are water safe. Anything ending in -ite or -tite is not safe to be used with water as it could damage the crystals. A great all-purpose stone for this is clear quartz. 
  5. Feasting on Spring Foods: Fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers are abundant in the spring, making Ostara a perfect time for feasting on foods that represent the earth’s rebirth. Fresh salads, spring greens, and dishes made with eggs or dairy are traditional choices for an Ostara feast. 
  6. Blessing fields and preparing for the planting season: Blood, ashes from fires, or handfuls of soil from mountain tops were once used to bless the fields. To celebrate this tradition, a bottle of wine or beer could be used in place of blood if one doesn’t have access to freshly butchered animals. Adding fertilizer to the soil could also be an alternative. Be sure to bless either the libation or the fertilizer and as you mix it into your soil visualize or pray for abundance to bless your home. This can also be done with potted plants if you are potting them up for the year. 

Rituals and Spellwork for Ostara

The energy of this Sabbat encourages personal growth, manifestation, and renewal. A few ritual ideas include:

  • Manifestation Ritual: Take a moment to meditate and reflect on the intentions you’d like to plant for the coming months. Write them down on a piece of paper or a bay leaf and bury them in the soil, symbolizing the planting of seeds for your dreams to grow. There are some amazing handmade papers available that contain seeds if that is more convenient. I also love to compost and find that adding those intentions to compost can be a great energetic addition that helps fuel my work all year long! 
  • Balance Ritual: Light two candles, one representing the sun and one representing the moon. Meditate on the idea of balance and reflect on how you can bring harmony into your life. As you watch the flames dance, feel the energies of both the sun and the moon supporting you.
  • Cleansing Bath Ritual: Take a bath with herbs like lavender, chamomile, or rose petals to cleanse both your body and spirit. As the water washes over you, envision yourself being renewed and healed. If you don’t have a bathtub, you can easily do this in a shower by adding herbs to a pot and then pouring the water over you. I recommend using a muslin bag or other strainer to collect the herbs, so they don’t damage the plumbing. 
 
 
 
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Penelope Davis (they/them) is a resident in counseling and metaphysical partner in Phases Therapy’s Richmond office. 

To learn more about Penelope and inquire about booking, head over to https://phases-therapy.com/outpatient/penelope-davis/