Celtic: Ostara 'Spring Equinox'

Ostara Celebrated at the Spring Equinox. Usually near the end of March. Celebrated with colored eggs, symbols of fertility such as bunny rabbits or early spring flowers such as tulips. With decorations of green, yellow and pink. Honoring the God and Goddess as natures balance returns to the world.

Ostara History The Spring Equinox was not one of the original festivals honored in early Celtic days before and during the realm of the Druids and early Celtic pagans. In that context it is a relatively new celebration honoring the rebirth of Mother Nature.   There is speculation that this holiday owes it's roots to the Roman invasion of Ireland. Ceaser being the God who returns to the maiden land of the Celts. However, this does not play out when one reviews Celtic mythology and history.   The holiday has been long associated with Nemetona, who is a Romano-Celtic Goddess of the magikal Grove. Nemetona means 'grove', and she holds special significance to the Celts. The woodlands are long thought to be magikal and sacred places. Her name is thought to be derived from Nemhedh who was (according to the Book of Invasions) the leader of the third invasion of Ireland.   Even in the cool wetness of the early spring, it is obvious to all that winter is over. The blooms and buds of the next growing season are pushing through their winter slumber. Perhaps this beauty of natures magik is why Nemetona and the grove of the wood is associated with this holiday.

The Purpose of Ostara Balance. The longest day and longest night, not winter and not yet spring, the rebirth of nature and the return of the God who comes to join the Maiden to bring new life and fertility to the coming growing seasons.   For pagans, this is a day of preparation. Reconsecrating magikal tools, balancing their energies for new work. Blessing seeds for the spring planting, or starting your garden by cleaning the area and tilling the soil. It's a good time for the lady to acquire a new broom and for the gentleman to craft a new staff.   It's also a time for introspection. Meditation and evaluation of the current events and attitudes in your life. Examine where you might be unbalanced and where you might need to let go of the past and prepare for a fertile future. If you've been working extra hard during the winter months, then now you should turn some attention to home and hearth. If you've secluded yourself from the world other than school and work, then now turn some attention to family and friends. Too much of a good thing, still has it's draw backs.

Ostara Celebration On the eve of Ostara, when the sun has set, honor the fertility of the season by sorting seeds to be honored during a festival ritual. If you have children, of if you're a kid at heart, this is a good time to boil eggs and decorate them with beautiful colors and symbols.   As the night progresses, decorate your alter with simple symbols and conduct a simple ritual honoring the rebirth of Mother Nature and the coming of spring. Once your honoring has been completed, spend the rest of your evening on introspection. While the world is quiet and at peace, review your current life and take stock of your emotions toward yourself, others and events in your life. Try not to justify anger or sadness by placing the responsibility of what might be occurring in your life upon someone else. Rather step back without blame and take a look at how you and your actions have contributed to the events, good or bad, in your life. For those things that are working well, commend yourself. Give yourself some credit and think of something you can do as a celebration. For those things that have not been going well, take responsibility for your part in the event and forgive yourself of the actions, words or even thoughts that may have contributed to the event. Then think of way to turn things around.   On the day of Ostara, plan a walk through the park or arboretum. Hide the eggs you decorated, and help your children play games to find them. Work in your garden or flower beds and prepare them for the growing season. Spend the afternoon sharing in the preparation of a feast of celebration. A ham, vegetables, and potatoes are always a good sampling for the spring holiday. We like to add an ice cream cake decorated in the shape or symbology of a colorful egg to represent the fertility and warming trend of the season.   During the evening hours you can continue the festival with a formal holiday ritual. There are as many ways and suggestions for conducting such a ceremony as there are people on this planet. But if you need a detailed example you have two places on our network to look. Check our simple Celtic Ritual or Ceremony Outline or if you are Wiccan review the Ostara Sabbat Ritual in our Wiccan Star section.   End your evening in private reflection. It is important for anyone practicing a spiritual life to reflect on his or her actions. Record your thoughts, your emotions and your experiences. This is the true value of your book of shadows. And there is no better time to take stock of yourself and your life than during a High Holy Day.

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