Ostara is a pagan festival that celebrates the Spring Equinox, a time of balance, renewal, and new beginnings. On this day, day and night are equal, symbolizing harmony and the return of warmth and life to the earth.
Many nature-based spiritualists honor Ostara by celebrating fertility, growth, and the awakening of nature. Traditions like decorating eggs, honoring rabbits, and welcoming the sun’s return have deep roots in ancient customs and continue to influence modern celebrations, including Easter. In this guide, we’ll explore the history of Ostara, how it was celebrated in the past, how it is honored today, and simple ways to decorate for the holiday.
The History of Ostara
The name Ostara comes from Eostre (or Ēostre), an ancient Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring, fertility, and dawn. The festival is believed to have been named after her, and some historians believe her name is also the origin of the word Easter.
Ostara is one of the eight sabbats on the Wheel of the Year, the calendar followed by many pagans and Wiccans. It aligns with the Spring Equinox, which happens around March 19-23 in the Northern Hemisphere and September 20-23 in the Southern Hemisphere.
Ancient cultures across the world recognized this time of year as sacred. For example:
- The Norse and Germanic peoples honored Eostre by celebrating fertility, planting crops, and giving offerings to animals associated with her, such as rabbits.
- The Celts marked the arrival of spring with feasts and ceremonies, celebrating the balance of light and dark.
- The Romans honored Flora, the goddess of flowers, during spring festivals that included planting and dancing.
- The ancient Greeks celebrated Persephone’s return from the underworld, a myth that symbolized the return of life to the earth.
Even though Ostara itself was not recorded as a major ancient festival, its themes of rebirth, fertility, and balance have still been celebrated for thousands of years.
How Ostara Was Celebrated in the Past
Ancient Ostara celebrations focused on the return of light, fertility, and new life. People honored this special time by:
- Lighting fires or candles to welcome the warmth of the sun.
- Planting seeds as a symbol of new beginnings and future abundance.
- Decorating eggs, a powerful fertility symbol, to represent growth and potential.
- Honoring rabbits and hares, animals that were seen as sacred to fertility goddesses.
- Holding feasts with fresh greens, dairy, and honey to celebrate the return of life.
- Dancing and singing to honor the balance of night and day.
These traditions evolved over time and can still be seen in today's Easter customs, such as egg decoration and the use of rabbit imagery.
How Ostara is Celebrated Today
Modern pagans, Wiccans, and nature-based spiritualists celebrate Ostara in a variety of ways and still include focusing on renewal, growth, and balance. Some common ways to celebrate include:
1. Creating an Ostara Altar
Decorate your altar with spring symbols like flowers, eggs, seeds, and candles in pastel colors to honor the season.
2. Planting Seeds or Flowers
Ostara is the perfect time to start a garden or plant seeds indoors. This represents new beginnings and personal growth.
3. Egg Magic & Egg Decorating
Painting eggs with symbols, sigils, or intentions can be a fun and powerful way to work with Ostara energy. You can bury an egg in your garden to bless the soil or place one on your altar for fertility and abundance.
4. Spending Time in Nature
Go for a walk, have a picnic, or meditate outdoors to connect with the awakening earth. Observe the blooming flowers, budding trees, and singing birds.
5. Performing a Balance Ritual
Since Ostara represents balance, some people light two candles—one dark, one light—to symbolize the equal length of day and night. This can be a simple way to honor the changing season.
6. Spring Cleaning & Home Blessings
Ostara is a great time to clear out old energy by physically cleaning your home and spiritually cleansing it with herbs like rosemary, sage, or lavender.
7. Preparing an Ostara Feast
Celebrate with foods that represent fertility and renewal, such as:
- Eggs (for new life and potential)
- Honey (for sweetness and abundance)
- Fresh greens (for health and renewal)
- Dairy products (for nourishment and fertility)
- Seasonal fruits like berries and citrus (for joy and vitality)
These simple practices allow you to connect with the energy of spring and celebrate Ostara in a meaningful way.
Simple Ways to Decorate for Ostara
Bringing the energy of Ostara into your home doesn’t have to be complicated! Here are some easy and affordable ways to decorate:
- Use pastel colors in your decorations, such as yellow, pink, green, and blue.
- Place fresh flowers like daffodils, tulips, or cherry blossoms around your home.
- Decorate eggs and display them in a basket or on your altar.
- Add candles in spring colors (green for growth, yellow for joy, pink for love).
- Hang symbols of rabbits or birds to represent fertility and new beginnings.
- Create a nature centerpiece with twigs, leaves, and fresh blooms.
- Use crystals like rose quartz, citrine, and green aventurine to bring in positive energy.
These simple additions can help you bring the magic of Ostara into your home or other places you spend your time.
Final Thoughts: Welcoming the Energy of Spring
Ostara is a time of balance, growth, and new beginnings, making it the perfect opportunity to refresh your energy, set intentions, and welcome the magic of spring. Whether you celebrate with altar decorations, seed planting, egg magick, or simply enjoying nature, this festival invites you to honor the cycles of the earth and embrace renewal in your own life.