Ostara is a modern-day pagan holiday also known as the Spring or “Vernal” Equinox. The first Solar Sabbat of the year is celebrated between March 19-22 and symbolizes the first day of Spring. Celebrating balance, growth and rebirth. This is when it is equal day and night, the Earth is waking up, and soon days will become longer. This is a wonderful time to get outside and enjoy nature.
Ostara is definitely one of my favorite pagan holidays. The coming of warmer weather, leaving winter behind. The beginning of garden season. Trees are going to be budding, new plant growth will emerge from the decayed vegetation from fall/ winter. A time for new beginnings.
Ostara’s History and Who Can Celebrate?
Ostara was named after the Germanic Goddess Eostre, the goddess of fertility and rebirth. This was a yearly festival, celebrated by pre-Christan tribes throughout Germany. Ostara was then brought to England from the Anglo-Saxons, where they too celebrated the coming of warmth and growth. Over time as Christians celebrated Ostara, it began to morph into what we all know now as Easter.
Anyone can celebrate this holiday regardless of beliefs. This holiday is about new beginnings and rebirth.
In the Northern Hemisphere, Ostara is the beginning of Spring (March 19-22) whereas in the Southern Hemisphere, it is the start of Fall (September 20-23).
Finding Balance
This is a time where we want to have more balance in our lives. Time to regain control of ourselves, our mind, body and soul. Winter is coming to an end and brighter days (literally) are ahead. So how can we start to balance ourselves? Where do we begin? Here are some easy ideas that you can do to start finding balance within yourself.
- Go for a walk outside
- Start planting seeds
- Be creative (draw, paint, bake, DIY, etc.)
- Spring clean
- Start a new hobby/ project
How to Celebrate Ostara
Celebrating Ostara can make us, and our home feel refreshed as well as getting us closer to nature. Being stuck inside through the cold months can really take a number on one’s mental health. Cabin fever is a real thing. Now is the time to nurture our bodies and minds. It is time to get outside and really connect with nature. Here is a list of what you can do to celebrate Ostara.
- Spring clean the house (if you are a practicing witch, don’t forget to clean your altar)
- Declutter your home and altar
- Open your windows and let in that fresh air
- Decorate your home and/or office
- Open the windows (on nicer days)
- Cleanse and bless your home
- Make a flower crown
- Start seeds
- Plan out your garden
- Bless your garden tools
- Start a new hobby
- Revisit goals/ set new goals
- Do a nature craft
- Have a picnic
- Start a new routine (morning, night, workout, etc.)
- Hang a birdfeeder
- Start composting
- Make candles
- Make soaps with fresh flowers
- Ground yourself
- Go on a hike
- Paint rocks
- Pick flowers (only if there is an abundance. These flowers are also needed for the bees for their first food of the season)
- Simmer pot
- Dye eggs
- Bake breads
- Do an abundance ritual to welcome abundance into your home
- Have a bonfire
- Host a feast with friends and family
Decorating for Ostara
Decorating my home is probably my most favorite part of Spring (after I clean of course). Everything feels fresh. Something about changing your environment really changes the feel of the space. Now, I am not saying you need to go and redecorate everything. No need to go extreme (unless you’re into that sort of thing). Adding little touches to spaces throughout your home is just enough to freshen it up. So, what can we use to decorate our spaces for Ostara?
- Spring flowers (tulips, daffodils, lilacs)
- Sun catchers
- Colored eggs
- Bunnies and chicks
- Bumblebees
- Pastel/ light colored things
- Plants, plants and more plants!
If you are a practicing witch, you can use any of these listed decoration ideas for your altar as well.
Ostara’s Correspondences
Colors: Green (lights and darks), \Red, Yellow, White
Stones: Malachite, Amber, Sapphire, Rose Quartz
Herbs: Rosemary, Dandelion, Parsley, Thyme, Lavendar
Flowers: Lily of the Valley, Tulips, Daffodils, Lilacs, Iris
Incense: Frankincense, Jasmine, Sage, Lemon, Rose
Foods: Eggs, Honey, Sprouts, Fresh Fruit and Veggies, Milk, Seeds
Animals: Butterflies, Bumblebees, Bunnies, Chicks, Lambs, Mermaids, Unicorns