Ostara Myths and Other Notes

Ostara (OST-a-RAh)

The next full moon after the Spring or Vernal Equinox (a time of increased births) is called Ostara and is sacred to Eostre the Saxon Lunar Goddess of fertility (from whence we get the word oestrogen), whose two symbols were the egg and the rabbit, both considered fertility symbols.

Celebrated by some traditions on the Spring Equinox, it is a time of renewed life and balance. As Spring reaches its midpoint, night and day stand in perfect balance, with light on the increase. It is a time of great fertility, new growth, and newborn animals. The God may also be seen here as the newly crowned adolescent Stag King, resplendent in his finery and growing stronger with each day,

It is important at this time of renewed life to get out and about into nature, plan a walk, (or ride), through gardens, a park, woodlands, forest and other green places. This is not simply exercise, and you should be on no other mission. It isn't even just an appreciation of nature. Make your walk a celebratory one, a ritual for nature itself!

Other traditional activities include planting seeds, working on magical gardens and practicing all forms of herb work--magical, medicinal, cosmetic, culinary and artistic. We plant out flower seeds for Summer Blooms and tend to our vegetable patch at this time.

Celebrated as an Esbat it is one of the most powerful moons of the year.

Celebrated as a Sabbat, this is one of the two Sabbats when (depending upon your Tradition) the young (adolescent) Sun God celebrates a hierogamy (sacred marriage) with the young Maiden Goddess, who conceives (many folk celebrate this union at Beltane instead, but as the Ostara Sabbat occurs 9 months prior to Yule - when the pregnant Goddess gives birth to the God - it can also be celebrated here, depending upon your own preference and what you have been taught!). In nine months, she will again become the Great Mother.

Deities

Appropriate Deities for Ostara include all Youthful and Virile Gods and Goddesses, Sun Gods, Mother Goddesses, Love Goddesses, Moon Gods and Goddesses, and all Fertility Deities. Some Ostara Deities to mention by name here include Persephone, Blodeuwedd, Eostre, Aphrodite, Athena, Cybele, Gaia, Hera, Isis, Ishtar, Minerva,Venus, Robin of the Woods, the Green Man, Cernunnos, Lord of the Greenwood, The Dagda, Attis, The Great Horned God, Mithras, Odin, Thoth, Osiris, and Pan.

Ostara Correspondences

Symbolism
Fertility, the return of spring, new growth, balance. God reaching manhood, Goddess reaching womanhood.

Symbols
Eggs, rabbits, spring flowers.

Deities
Eostre, Cerrunnos, the Green Man, the Stag King.

Colours
Pink, Red, Purple, White, Yellow, Green, in fact any flower colour you like.

Traditional Foods
Leafy green vegetables, Dairy foods, Nuts such as Pumpkin, Sunflower and Pine. Flower Dishes and Sprouts.

Herbs and Flowers
Daffodil, Jonquils, Woodruff, Violet, Gorse, Olive, Peony, Iris, Narcissus and all spring flowers.

Incense
Jasmine, Rose, Strawberry, Floral of any type.

Sacred Gemstone
Jasper

Special Activities
Planting seeds or starting a Magickal Herb Garden. Taking a long walk in nature with no intent other than reflecting on the Magick of nature and our Great Mother and her bounty. Dying eggs, having an Egg Hunt

Suggested Ostara Altar Decorations

Flowers should be laid on the altar, placed around the circle and strewn on the ground. The Cauldron can be filled with spring water and flowers, and buds and blossoms may be worn as well. A small potted plant should be placed on the altar. Eggs can be used as decoration and as gifts and offerings during ritual. Flower flavoured wines work well at this time.