Wheel of the Year as Honoring the passage of time.
Hey, Beautiful Wildlings!
As the sun kisses our cheeks a little longer and the Earth beneath us bursts into a canvas of colors, it's clear—Ostara is whispering our names, beckoning us to awaken the WILD within.
This glorious time, nestled perfectly in the Wheel of the Year, isn't just another mark on the calendar; it's a vibrant celebration of spring's return, of life reborn and dreams rekindled.
Lets dive deep into the magic of Ostara, unraveling the tapestry of its history, and reveling in the rich symbolism that dances through this time of balance and new beginnings.
But, what's a celebration without a dash of Wild Mamma flair? We're not just talking; we're doing. We'll share enchanting ways to wrap your arms around Ostara, from crafting personal rituals that speak to your soul to creating spaces that burst with the energy of renewal.
So, grab your flower crowns and let's skip together into the embrace of spring. Ostara is not just a time to observe; it's an invitation to blossom wildly, beautifully, unabashedly. Let's honor this exquisite rebirth together, in true Wild Mamma style.
(art by Gina @wildasthemoon) you can click on the picture to see her magical collection!
The Wheel of the Year
Before we dive into Ostara specifically, let's talk about the Wheel of the Year. The Wheel of the Year is a cycle of eight sabbats or holidays that mark the changing seasons and the natural rhythms of the Earth. The sabbats are evenly spaced throughout the year, with four major sabbats (also known as the cross-quarter days) and four minor sabbats (also known as the quarter days).
The major sabbats are:
Samhain (October 31st) - a time to honor ancestors and the cycle of death and rebirth
Imbolc (February 1st) - a time to celebrate the first signs of spring and new beginnings
Beltane (May 1st) - a time to celebrate fertility, love, and the coming of summer
Lughnasadh (August 1st) - a time to celebrate the first harvest and the abundance of the earth
The minor sabbats are:
Yule (December 21st) - the winter solstice, a time to celebrate the return of the sun and the promise of new life
Ostara (March 20th) - the spring equinox, a time to celebrate the renewal and rebirth of the Earth
Litha (June 21st) - the summer solstice, a time to celebrate the height of the sun and the abundance of the earth
Mabon (September 21st) - the fall equinox, a time to celebrate the harvest and the turning of the seasons
Ostara History and Symbolism
Now that we have a better understanding of the Wheel of the Year, let's focus on Ostara specifically. Ostara is named after the Germanic goddess Eostre or Ostara, who was associated with spring, fertility, and new beginnings. The holiday is also sometimes called the Spring Equinox, as it marks the point when the day and night are equal in length.
Embrace the Awakening: Ostara's Ancient Celebration & Brigid's Legacy
This time of equinox, when day and night hold each other in perfect balance, was once honored as a sacred moment of renewal, rebirth, and unfurling potential.
The Ancient Threads of Ostara
In the tapestry of time, Ostara was a vibrant expression of life’s resurgence, a testament to the enduring cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. It was a period when the ancients looked to the burgeoning light and the fertility of the Earth as symbols of hope and renewal.
From Brigid to Bunnies and Eggs
At the heart of these celebrations stood the Goddess Brigid, her symbols of the egg and the rabbit deeply woven into the fabric of Ostara. These emblems, potent with meanings of fertility, new beginnings, and the promise of growth, were later embraced by the church, morphing into the Easter symbols we recognize today. The egg, a symbol of life's mystery and balance, and the rabbit, a beacon of abundance and new life, both trace their origins back to Brigid’s ancient lore.
The Bloom of Flowers & the Sowing of Seeds
As we celebrate Ostara, we also embrace the beauty of spring flowers—daffodils, tulips, hyacinths—each a vibrant marker of the season’s joy and growth.
These, alongside the simple act of planting seeds, are practices steeped in the essence of rebirth and the continuous cycle of life. They are our links to the past, a nod to the ancient ways of honoring the Earth’s awakening.
In reclaiming these symbols and traditions, we connect with the deep roots of Ostara. We remember that the elements associated with Brigid, borrowed and transformed through time, still carry the essence of the ancient celebration of rebirth and renewal.
Let us, celebrate Ostara with the fullness of its history and the richness of its symbols. Let us honor the legacy of Brigid and the ancient ways, weaving them into our modern festivities with consciousness and joy.
Together, we step into the light of spring, connected to the cycles of the earth, carrying forward the traditions that remind us of our place in the grand tapestry of life.
With hearts open to the rebirth of the world.
How to Celebrate Ostara
There are many ways to celebrate Ostara, depending on your personal beliefs and practices. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Ostara is a time of renewal and rebirth, marking the arrival of spring and the awakening of the Earth from its winter slumber. Whether you follow a specific spiritual tradition or simply want to connect with the energy of the season, there are many ways to celebrate Ostara.
Create an Altar
One way to connect with the energy of Ostara is to create an altar in your home.
Choose a location that feels special to you and gather symbols of spring and renewal, such as:
Fresh flowers or greenery
A candle in a bright color like yellow or green
Crystals like clear quartz or rose quartz
Decorative eggs or eggshells
Seeds or seedlings
Arrange these items in a way that feels pleasing to you, and spend time at your altar each day to connect with the energy of Ostara.
Color Eggs
Dyeing eggs is a traditional way to celebrate Ostara. Choose natural dyes made from ingredients like onion skins, beets, or turmeric, or use store-bought dyes if you prefer. You can also use stickers or paint to decorate your eggs.
As you color your eggs, focus on the symbolism of new beginnings and the potential for growth that they represent. You can use the eggs as a centerpiece on your altar or display them around your home as a reminder of the season.
Plant Seeds
Planting seeds is a powerful way to connect with the energy of Ostara. Choose seeds for plants that symbolize renewal and growth, such as:
Sunflowers
Daisies
Lavender
Peas
Herbs like basil or parsley
Plant your seeds in a pot or garden bed, and tend to them regularly as they grow. As you care for your plants, focus on the symbolism of new beginnings and the potential for growth that they represent.
Go for a Nature Walk
Take a walk outside and soak in the beauty of spring. Look for signs of new growth, such as buds on trees, flowers blooming, or birds building nests.
Take deep breaths of fresh air and feel the energy of the season infusing your body and spirit.
As you walk, you can also collect natural materials to use in your Ostara celebrations. For example, you might gather wildflowers, fallen branches, or interesting rocks.
Prepare a Feast
In many traditions, Ostara is a time of feasting and celebration. Prepare a meal that celebrates the flavors of the season, such as fresh greens, asparagus, and strawberries. There are plenty of wild foods and nourishing herbs growing this time of the year, you can gather some ideas from my previous post about edible wild plants at spring time.
You can also incorporate traditional symbols of Ostara into your meal, such as eggs or honey. As you eat, give thanks for the abundance of the Earth and the energy of renewal that surrounds you.
So as we spiral closer to the heart of spring, Ostara beckons us to awaken, to bloom with the Earth herself.
This isn't just a season; it's a canvas of renewal, a mosaic of rebirth, vibrating with the promise of fresh starts and new dreams.
Create a sacred space that sings to your soul, dye eggs with the colors of the sunrise, sow seeds that whisper of growth, wander in the wilds where nature murmurs secrets, or conjure a feast that celebrates the bounty of the season.
Each act, a ritual; every moment, a connection to the pulsing energy of Ostara.
This is our time to embrace the magic of new beginnings, to weave the tapestry of our desires with threads of hope and joy. Ostara is not just a point in the Wheel of the Year—it's a gateway to rediscovering the vibrant essence of life, adorned with the lush symbols of renewal.
So, gather your tribes, your dreams, your wild heart—let's step into the embrace of spring with all the passion and wonder we possess.
Here’s to blooming unabashedly, Wild Ones!
Here's to Ostara, here's to rebirth, here's to us—wild, and wonderfully alive.
With Love & Wild Magic,
Blessed Ostara!
Ostara Blessing
Speak, Ostara, of hope and growth – your gifts to us.
Teach me the ways of lightand reveal the path of illuminationas
I prepare to transcend.
Shedding my cold winter skin,
I activate my sanctity,
burning away what no longer serves me.
I emerge from my hibernation,
awaken my dormant energy,
and blossom with the spring.
Amen, A’ho, So it is.
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