Celebrating Ostara, honoring the spring equinox

Ostara is one of the eight Wiccan Sabbats that celebrates the vernal (spring) equinox that will begin at 11:32 a.m. March 20th. The festival derives its name from the German goddess Eostre whose totem was the hare. Today’s Easter Bunny is a child-friendly descendant of this early pagan fertility symbol.

Prepare for the holiday by decorating your altar with green, pink (rose quartz) and blue (aquamarine). Add clover, daffodils, crocus and/or tulips. Build a shrine to a deity like Eostre, Isis (Egyptian goddess of the moon) or Adonis (Greek god of beauty, fertility and permanent renewal). Ostara is about balance, so certainly include a black and white candle. Some walk between the two candles to symbolize their entrance into a more steady season.

Ostara is a time to witness rising sap in the trees, busy nesting birds and blooming daffodils. Rest under the shade of a tree and take a moment to ground yourself with meditation. The fertile soil welcomes new life, marking when to (re)plant vegetables and flowers. There are practical rituals for sole practitioners as well as members of a coven. Ritual fires are also always an easy, welcomed tradition.

Eggs have been linked with this time of year for over a millennium. Decorating eggs is a popular, family-friendly way to celebrate the season; they are typically hung from a fallen branch and displayed in sacred spaces. No need to buy empty shells! It is common to blow the eggs out as long as they are not wasted. For recipe inspiration, click here.

Whether you are a sole practitioner or prefer a group setting, there are a plethora of ways one can celebrate Ostara. Let Pacer Times know how you celebrate by sending comments and/or photos to our email (pacertimes@gmail.com) for an exclusive gallery!