The wheel of the year is integral to pagan traditions, helping us to recognize and pay respect to the ever-changing cycles that make up natural life. It also speaks of times when the veil between this world and others is thinnest, providing opportunities for ritual work, connection with spiritual entities, and amplifying magical energy.
Ostara marks the Spring Equinox - the start of Spring - when winter wanes and new life begins to bloom anew with longer days, warmer temperatures, and emerging flowers. It's seen as a time for new beginnings, a point of balance between light and dark, and death/dormancy giving way to new life. As such, Ostara is a particularly sacred event within the pagan Wheel of the Year. Many pagans observe it by honoring their deities, celebrating with friends or family, gardening, meditating on renewal and transformation, crafting art or objects associated with the season, and more. It's an opportunity to reflect on the small miracles of life and express gratitude for nature’s beauty and bounty. Most importantly, Ostara reminds us that all living things have an inner spark that can be nurtured to create joy and abundance in our lives; may we embrace its spirit - rebirth, renewal, hope, transformation - bring light into our lives and make this world a better place.
The correct way to pronounce the pagan holiday Ostara is "Oh-star-ah". The name is derived from the Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre, who was celebrated at the beginning of spring. Since this holiday marks a time for new beginnings, many celebrate by welcoming nature's renewal with ritualistic activities such as decorating eggs, planting gardens, and gathering in circles for sabbats. Although some aspects may have changed over the years, the intent remains: to connect with nature during this special season.
The thinness of the veil at Ostara makes it an ideal time for spiritual activity. Many pagans believe that this shift in energy allows them to connect more easily with spiritual beings, leading to a deeper understanding of the divine. It is also believed that this shift in energy helps to open up pathways of communication, making it possible to receive messages from other realms.
The color of Ostara is usually green, symbolizing new life and growth. Some also associate it with yellow, signifying the warmth of the sun that comes with spring. White is often seen as a representation of the Maiden Goddess, who brings rebirth and new beginnings to our lives. Lastly, pink or violet represents fertility and abundance in all its forms - spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical.
All of the herbs used in Ostara celebrations have special meanings that can help bring peace, joy, fertility, and abundance into your life. Chamomile’s delicate white flowers symbolize harmony and serenity; it’s known to promote relaxation and restful sleep. Lavender conjures up a vision of freshness and purity; its calming fragrance evokes feelings of contentment. Marigold brings protection and vitality; its vibrant orange petals bring joy, warmth, and increased fertility. Sage (that is ethically sourced and appropriate for your culture/heritage) is the ultimate purifier; it’s used to rid a space of negative energy and restore balance. Rosemary encourages courage, strength, and clarity of thought; its pungent scent helps keep the mind focused on positive intentions. Finally, mint brings healing energy and a sense of renewal; it has been used for centuries to cleanse away physical and emotional ailments.
Ostara, though closely associated with the goddess Esotre because of its name, is also closely associated with Frigg and Freya (of the Norse pantheon), Persephone (of the Greek pantheon), and Cybele (of the Greek and/or Roman pantheon). Whether you understand these figures as actual personified beings, archetypal energies, or energies of mythology, their stories can be powerful to research and explore in conjunction with this point in the wheel of the year.
- Colors: Green, Yellow, White, Pink, Violet
- Energies: Abundance, Renewal, Fertility, Growth, Balance, Joy, New Beginnings, Change
- Oils/Incenses: Irish Moss, Lavender, Lemongrass, Meadowsweet, Spearmint, Sweet Woodruff
- Crystals: Citrine, Blue Apatite, Rose Quartz, Amethyst, Clear Quartz
- Symbols: Eggs, Labyrinths, Snakes, Honey/Honeycomb/Bees, Tulips, Daffodils, Butterflies
- Foods: Honeycomb, Baked Bread, Spring Salad, Sweets, Fresh Vegetables
So let us all celebrate Ostara: a time filled with magic, abundance, joy, and growth. Let us pay homage to the wheel of the year; let us listen closely to its ancient wisdom; let us embrace its power to connect us with something greater than ourselves. May our hearts be open and our minds keen as we move through each passing season – gaining insight into life's mysteries along the way.
If you're interested in embracing Ostara through ritual, consider what aligns with your practice, such as connecting with fertility and earth energy through gardening, cooking, or baking using ingredients that represent joyous energy, creating art using colors associated with the holiday, or (my personal favorite) devoting time cleansing your home and decorating with fresh flowers, newly potted plants, or floral decor to your deity or spirit guide(s) of choice.
I love dedicating my energy to working with the energy of flowers and plants because it's symbolic of the new life that's blooming and unfolding at this point in the wheel of the year. Florals bring a joyous and spirited energy to the home that is a nice way to fill the newly cleansed space so things feel balanced and at peace. It's also a great time to honor the power of the divine feminine while finding the balance between the sacred feminine and masculine energies flowing through all of us.
No matter how we choose to honor Ostara, its transformative energy encourages us to appreciate the beauty of nature and all it brings into our lives. Take a moment to fully immerse yourself in the spirit of Ostara - use colorful decorations, burn floral herbs, or simply spend time outdoors to truly feel connected with all that this powerful season has to give. May you experience abundance, joy, and peace through your celebration of Ostara!