The festival of Ostara, Eostre, Easter and the vernal equinox

Ostara vernal equinox

Ostara is a pagan festival celebrating the Spring Equinox, traditionally observed around the March 21 equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. It marks the balance of day and night and the renewal of life as winter gives way to spring.

Eostre and Easter

The festival of Ostara is named after Eostre, a Germanic fertility goddess whose symbols were hares and eggs; both these symbols were later integrated into the Christian Easter tradition.

Eostre Ostara

The pagan festival of Ostara is also associated with fertility, growth, and new beginnings and shares the symbols of eggs, rabbits, and flowers in bloom. Ostara is part of the Wheel of the Year and represents a time of hope, renewal, and connection with nature's cycles.

Celebrating Ostara Eostre

Pagans and Wiccans can celebrate Ostara with rituals honouring balance, renewal, and fertility. You may wish to celebrate Ostara on your own, or you might want to participate in group activities, such as decorating eggs and planting seeds to symbolise rebirth. You may also want to have friends come for a drink or share a meal; perhaps send them a greetings card to commemorate Ostara.

Celebrating Ostara through a ritual

The following simple elements can be used alone or incorporated into your own ritual:

Preparing the altar

Decorate with spring symbols, including eggs, seeds, fresh flowers, and pastel-coloured candles. For hares or rabbits, you can use images or altar cards.

Cleansing and Blessing

Start by smudging with sage or incense to purify the space and invite positive energy.

Circle Casting

Cast a sacred circle using salt, herbs, or visualisations to create a protected ritual space.

Invocation

If you wish, you may call on Eostre, nature spirits, or the four elements (Earth, Air, Fire, and Water) to bless the ceremony.

Intention

Eggs can be dyed natural colours and imbued with your intentions before being buried as an offering to the earth.

Seeds can be planted as a symbol of personal growth and renewal through the coming months.

Offerings

Leave honey, milk, or bread for the earth or goddess as a token of thanks. You can leave this in any space you associate with, such as a garden, window box, or even a flowerpot.

Closing the Ritual

Thank the goddess, spirits, and elements before closing the sacred circle.

If you do not wish to hold a ritual, you can celebrate with a feast, perhaps including seasonal foods and drinks. At the end of your meal, raise a toast and offer thanks to the goddess.

Whether ritual or feast, the idea is to re-endorse your personal renewal, balance, and connection to nature, making Ostara a joyful and meaningful celebration of spring’s arrival.

Why not take a look at our unique Ostara greetings cards?