Spring Equinox
11th Mar 2008
This Sabbat gets it’s name from the Teutonic goddess of spring and the dawn, whose name is spelled Oestre or Eostre (pronounced “Es-tra”). In Greek traditions, Eos is a sky Goddess who offers us dawn’s hopeful renewing energy. Stories tell of Eos’s intense beauty, which inspires passion. Her name is connected to the direction “East” which represents new beginnings, spring, and the color yellow. The Goddess at this time is in her maiden form, as patroness of the woodland animals, virgin huntress, and archer.
When Spring Equinox comes around and that explosive Aries energy comes roaring in, things really start moving and getting underway. I consider the Equinox to be the true “New Year’s Day” because it is the start of the Astrological Year, in the sign of new beginnings. At this time we think of renewing ourselves. We renew our thoughts, our dreams, and our aspirations. We think of renewing our relationships. This is an excellent time of year to begin anything new or to completely revitalize something. No longer time to sit back and dream – it’s time to get up and take action! If you made New Year’s resolutions in January have they stuck? If not, this is a great time to re-evaluate your goals, make any necessary changes, and then re-commit yourself to the task.
One important thing to keep in mind is that whenever you are creating changes in your life, small steps are better than no steps. I for one have at times become trapped in the “all or nothing” mentality. This keeps us in a cycle of reaching for grandiose ideals which quickly are shown to be unrealistic and then we just give up completely. Instead, start small. Choose a few small changes that are most important. Then commit to doing at least one of those things each day. If you feel like doing more, that’s a bonus, but as long as you are meeting your commitment, consider yourself a success and CELEBRATE. That is what creates the joyful energy that will attract ever more abundance and success into your life.
Origins and Meanings of Common Ostara Symbols
Eggs : Many of the myths hold that the egg is sacred to life on earth. It represents life just as a circle can represent eternal life. The golden orb of its yolk represents the Sun God, its white shell is seen as the White Goddess, and the whole is a symbol of rebirth. It’s traditional at this time to decorate eggs (a symbol of fertility) and begin tending your garden.
Planting Seeds : Spring is a time of the Earth’s renewal, a rousing of nature after the cold sleep of winter. Seeds are like eggs. While eggs contain the promise of new animal life, seeds hold the potential of a new plant.
Rabbits : The rabbit is an enduring symbol of fertility and desire. Rabbits or hares co-exist with the moon as sacred symbols of vitality, fertility and the life-force. A rabbit’s gestation period is approximately one month, and it tends to be the first animal to give birth in the springtime. This evolved into the tradition of the Easter Bunny delivering baskets of eggs and goodies to children on Easter morning.
Light/Dark in Balance : This is also a time to reflect on the balance of light and dark within us. Just as the Universe as a whole carries within it these two energies, we, as sparks of the whole, carry them within. This Sabbat, at the time that the year is balanced between the light and dark halves of the year, we are reminded to acknowledge, accept, and honor all aspects of our whole being. It is through acceptence of All That Is, that we find inner peace. One important thing that I keep in mind when doing rituals, spells, or meditations for world or personal peace is that what we resist persists. If we reject or disallow the dark aspects of ourselves (and our world) they are given more power over us. The key is to accept and allow all things to exist, while simultaneously directing our creative energies in the direction of that which we wish to manifest.
Gardening : Celebrate Ostara and the Spring Equinox as a time of new beginnings, of the Earth’s renewal, and of taking actions for future growth, both in our gardens and in our lives. It’s a time to say goodbye to the old and make room for the new. Physically, it’s an appropriate time to tend gardens, plant new seeds, and clean up our yards.
Ostara Correspondences
Colors : Pastels, Lemon Yellow, Pale Green, Grass Green, Pale Pink, White, Violet, Robin’s Egg Blue
Plants / Herbs : Crocus, Daffodils, Lilac, Bluebells, Violets, Jasmine, Iris, Narcissus
Incense : Jasmine, Lavender, Lily, Honeysuckle, Violet, Willow, Iris, Peony, Sage
Stones : Aquamarine, Rose quartz, Moonstone, Clear quartz, Jasper
Animals : Deer, Bear, Rabbit
Spellwork : Growth, Communication, Fertility, Abundance
Foods : Eggs, Fruits, Leafy Vegetables, Honey, Sprouts, Seeds & Nuts, Figs, Candies
Suggested Activities for Ostara
- Create a Spring Altar including images of rabbits, birds, butterflies, colored eggs, and fresh flowers. You can create your own nest out of twigs and lay your decorated eggs in it. You might also have a bowl of colored jellybeans.
-Take the seeds you blessed at Imbolc and plant them, setting the intention that as the new plant grows, so will your intention grow and blossom.
-Color and decorate eggs and baskets (for natural egg dyes, see below). Try decorating them with magical symbols. Ideas you can use include runes, astrological symbols, elemental symbols, the Theban alphabet, zodiac/planetary symbols, lunar & solar symbols, stars, spirals, pentacles, Egyptian hieroglyphs, God/Goddess symbols, and more!
- Invite your family and friends over for an Egg Hunt! Use several plastic eggs. Choose a starting point and then have each egg contain a clue that points to the next egg (clue). At the end, after you’ve followed all the clues, have all the baskets hidden in one place. Fill the baskets with goodies, symbols of spring, etc. Try to create a small ritual around your egg hunt. Make this a child-friendly event by casting a simple circle together and giving children seeds to scatter as offerings at the quarters.
-Till soil and prepare your garden space. Plan your magical garden on paper.
- Go out and collect wild flowers if they are out in you area. Take a Nature walk and see how many native plants and flowers you can identify in your local area. If you find something you don’t recognize, take a picture or a sketch and then look it up and learn about it.
- Pick up litter at your favorite park or beach. Help the earth rejuvenate by getting rid of the mess. Even an hour of cleanup can make a big difference.
- Draw sprouting leaves on an egg and bury it in your garden to help stimulate your plants.
- Give a potted plant to friends or family for their garden or window sill
- Prepare and enjoy an Ostara picnic feast!
- Read the story of Demeter and Persephone.
Decorating Eggs with Natural Dye
You create your natural dye with a mix of water, vinegar and foods or spices that give a strong color. To make 4 cups of dye, you’ll need 4 cups of water, 2 tbs of white vinegar, and your dye material. Most spices only require a tablespoon or so, but if you are using chopped fruit or vegetable matter, you’ll need a few cups.
Experimentation is the key!
Bring everything to a boil, then simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Cool, then strain. Dip your hard boiled eggs into the dye for at least 15 minutes. Longer dying = darker color.
Pink - beet juice, cranberries, raspberries, red cabbage
Orange - onion skins, paprika
Dark Yellow - tumeric
Light Yellow - lemon peel, carrot shavings, cumin
Light Green - spinach
Blue - blueberries, grape juice
Light Brown - coffee, tea
Dark Brown - chili powder