Spring is in the air which means the festival of Ostara is right around the corner.
Ostara marks the official start of spring in the Northern hemisphere and corresponds to the spring equinox - a moment when the Sun shines directly on the Equator, bringing equal lengths of daylight and darkness. In ancient traditions, the spring equinox marked the start of the new year, a symbolism that continues today with the beginning of the astrological year in Aries. This connection is also echoed in the etymology of the months, with names like September, derived from the Latin septem for seven, and October, from octo for eight, reflecting their original positions in the Roman calendar.
While Imbolc celebrates the first glimmer of light returning after the long winter darkness, Ostara embraces the full blossoming of Spring, welcoming all transformations and new beginnings.
Ostara offers us a chance to begin anew, planting the seeds of emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical growth that we hope to harvest by the end of the light half of the year. As the cycle turns, the darker months provide time for rest, reflection, and planning for the next season of renewal (Cf. Llewellyn’s Sabbat Essentials).
Ostara is traditionally associated with the goddess Eostre, a deity associated with spring and fertility, though historical records about her are scarce.
This festival is also often associated with chicks, eggs and bunnies because of their connection to rebirth, renewal and fertility. This connection is likely why Ostara is often linked to the Christian celebration of Easter, despite the two falling nearly a month apart.
There are many ways to honour Ostara, and I wanted to share some simple yet meaningful rituals you can incorporate into your own celebration.
This celebration is the perfect time for a good old spring cleaning, a way to clear both physical and mental space and make room for new ideas and plans. Personally, I have been doing a lot of reorganisation in my home recently, making my space feel more intentional and inviting.
Stepping outside for a long walk can also be a beautiful way to connect with the season. Here, in Geneva, daffodils are already in full bloom, making every stroll feel a little bit nicer.
Ostara is also an ideal moment to start a new practice or finally explore something you've been meaning to try. Whether it's beginning a meditation routine or taking that long-awaited horse riding lesson, now is the time to embrace new experiences.
Finally, if you love gardening, modern Ostara traditions often include blessing seeds and the land. You might set an intention as you plant your spring seeds, or take it a step further by writing your aspirations on paper and burying them in the soil. I did this last year and found it to be both grounding and deeply symbolic.
I hope you found this inspiring and maybe learned a thing or two about this beautiful and ancient celebration.
May this spring season bring you everything you want and more.
Love,
