Ostara History & Lore

Ostara, or the Spring Equinox, is one of the minor Sabbats also known as  Lady Day,  Festival of Trees, or Rites of Spring.  Daffodils bloom, trees bud and  blossom, and frozen rivers begin to thaw and flow.  A delicate balance of light and dark is struck, only to give  way to the forces of light as the days grow longer in the resurgence of  Mother Earth.  In Wales, Ostara is known as Lady Day, the official return of the Goddess  from  her long   winter sleep.  This idea is repeated in different cultures such as the Greek  tale of Persephone and Hades.  Now is a time of growth, fertility, and balance.

In keeping with this theme, the egg, the symbol of fertility, is prominent  in Ostara activities.  Ostara, the German Goddess of fertility and rebirth, was adapted from the Latin Spring Goddess Eostre, from where the name  Easter is derived.  Again we see a Christian holiday springing from decidedly pagan customs.  The basket full of eggs symbolizes the womb full of fertility and ready to burst forth on the Earth.

The role of  the rabbit has two  possible origins.  One tale is that the rabbit so loved his Goddess Eostre  that he laid sacred eggs in her honor, then brightly colored them and gave them to her as gifts. Eostre was so delighted, she wanted this joy to be shared by all, so the tradition continued.

The second  tale tells how Eostre found a wounded bird in the snow.  To help the little bird survive the  winter, she transformed it into a rabbit, but the transformation was incomplete and the rabbit retained the ability to lay eggs.  In thanks for its life being  saved, the rabbit took the eggs and decorated them and left them as gifts for Eostre.  Again, she was delighted and wanted all to share her joy, so the tradition continued.

 The Celts did not originally celebrate Ostara, giving many of the  traditions  to Beltaine.  It  is thought the Saxons first brought the celebration of Ostara to the  Celts,   who embraced it  in their own fashion, but in more modern times some customs have returned to Beltaine.

Ostara was the time of year for the enactment of the great rite to bring  fertility to the land,  the people and the animals as the powerful energies of new life and  increasing light took hold.  The courtship and consumation of the young God and maiden Goddess is conducted at this time of year resulting in the child the Goddess will give birth to in nine  months at Yule.

Because of the balance of light and dark, this is a good time for questioning and finding direction.  The growing energies of renewed life also make this a good  time  to cast spells or seek answers about careers, relationships, and love.  As you plant seeds, plant new  ideas as well, with confidence to achieve your goals and watch your plans hatch.  This is a  time to free yourself  from anything holding you back.  Seek harmony and balance in the abundant strength of the season and gain or maintain good health and good fortune.

Sources for all Ostara informaion:  Celebrate the Earth by Laurie Cabot, The Sabbats by Edain McCoy, Wheel of the Year by Teresa Moorey and Jane Brideson, Green Witchcraft by Ann Moura, A Kitchen Witch’s Cookbook by Patrician Telesco
 
 

Ostara Rituals and Correspondances

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