To those living in the Northern Hemisphere, I bid Ostara’s blessings to all who celebrate! As we move into spring, we are reborn anew and overwhelmed by the energy of Divine Creation. It is time for us to plant the seeds we wish to see bear fruit over the year ahead, to get ourselves up and moving again after the stillness of winter. Today, I share with you not only the history of this sabbat, but how I observe and celebrate it on my own path as a Khthonic Wicca (which you can read about here).

History & Folklore

Named for the little-known (and dubious, even) Germanic Goddess Ēostre – which may be the namesake for the Anglo-Saxon month of April, ‘Ēosturmōnaþ‘ (to shine or dawn) – Ostara (pronounced ‘oh-star-ah’) is one of the eight sabbats of the Wiccan Wheel of the Year which is inspired by older celebrations honoring the first days of spring. As it occurs during the vernal or spring equinox – one of two days of the year in which day and night are equal in length – it is considered a Greater Sabbat, though this does not imply that it is any more important than the four Lesser Sabbats.

As far as Ēostre is concerned, the sole historical mention which exists of her comes from the 8th-century writing of the English monk, Bede the Venerable, wherein he claims that during the month of April, the Anglo-Saxons held feasts in her honor. He claims, though, as well, that the tradition had died out and given way to Christian practices by the time he’d written about it. The only other bit of information we have on her, her association with hares, wasn’t speculated until much later in 1874. Scholars have linked the name itself to a variety of individual names, locations, and goddesses with other varying titles (such as Haéusōs, Proto-Indo-European Goddess of Dawn). Though, with recent developments in Indo-European studies, Ēostre has come to be generally accepted as a genuine goddess, her existence has previously been a long-standing topic for debate. Until further discoveries are made, additional information which can be found on her is dubious at best.
If we move our focus away from the etymology and lean toward the observation of the equinox, however, we see there is very much a basis in history for this practice. Whether for agricultural time-keeping purposes, spiritual/religious observances, or a combination of the two, cairns, stonehenges, and other stone structures across the globe are arranged in such a way as to acknowledge the positioning of the sun during some or all of the solstices and equinoxes. Some examples of these include America’s Stonehenge in New Hampshire, the Calendar Stone and Calendar II in Vermont, Fajada Butte in New Mexico, the Temple of Kukulcan in Mexico, the Loughcrew Cairns in Ireland, Stonehenge and Fernacre Circle in England, Mnajdra in Malta, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and many more.

The energy around Ostara – and, indeed, throughout spring – is about awakening, rebirth, rejuvenation – the creation of something new. Plants are sprouting. Chicks are hatching. Feelings of whimsy overwhelm us. It is fitting, then, that the Christian holiday of Easter (also called Pascha), is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. These themes are observed not only in the act of the resurrection itself, but also in the idea of being reborn in aligning yourself with him as a result of this sacrifice. Additionally, if you observe much of the décor crafted for modern day Easter, it’s hard to miss the fertility symbolism and celebration of the features of vernal equinox which are rampant throughout it.

There was a time when the vernal equinox was considered the beginning of the new year. This explains then why Aries is considered the beginning of the zodiacal year and why the later months – October, November, December – are named as they are. In fact, for the Zoroastrians of Persia, this day had its own name: Nawruz (نوروز, pronounced ‘noh-rooz’ and meaning new day). Today, the holiday is still observed by modern day Zoroastrians, the Isma’ili, and followers of the Baháʼí Faith.

In Khthonic Wicca

Named for the little-known (and dubious, even) Germanic Goddess Ēostre – which may be the namesake for the Anglo-Saxon month of April, ‘Ēosturmōnaþ‘ (to shine or dawn) – Ostara (pronounced ‘oh-star-ah’) is one of the eight sabbats of the Wiccan Wheel of the Year which is inspired by older celebrations honoring the first days of spring. As it occurs during the vernal or spring equinox – one of two days of the year in which day and night are equal in length – it is considered a Greater Sabbat, though this does not imply that it is any more important than the four Lesser Sabbats.

As far as Ēostre is concerned, the sole historical mention which exists of her comes from the 8th-century writing of the English monk, Bede the Venerable, wherein he claims that during the month of April, the Anglo-Saxons held feasts in her honor. He claims, though, as well, that the tradition had died out and given way to Christian practices by the time he’d written about it. The only other bit of information we have on her, her association with hares, wasn’t speculated until much later in 1874. Scholars have linked the name itself to a variety of individual names, locations, and goddesses with other varying titles (such as Haéusōs, Proto-Indo-European Goddess of Dawn). Though, with recent developments in Indo-European studies, Ēostre has come to be generally accepted as a genuine goddess, her existence has previously been a long-standing topic for debate. Until further discoveries are made, additional information which can be found on her is dubious at best.

If we move our focus away from the etymology and lean toward the observation of the equinox, however, we see there is very much a basis in history for this practice. Whether for agricultural time-keeping purposes, spiritual/religious observances, or a combination of the two, cairns, stonehenges, and other stone structures across the globe are arranged in such a way as to acknowledge the positioning of the sun during some or all of the solstices and equinoxes. Some examples of these include America’s Stonehenge in New Hampshire, the Calendar Stone and Calendar II in Vermont, Fajada Butte in New Mexico, the Temple of Kukulcan in Mexico, the Loughcrew Cairns in Ireland, Stonehenge and Fernacre Circle in England, Mnajdra in Malta, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and many more.

The energy around Ostara – and, indeed, throughout spring – is about awakening, rebirth, rejuvenation – the creation of something new. Plants are sprouting. Chicks are hatching. Feelings of whimsy overwhelm us. It is fitting, then, that the Christian holiday of Easter (also called Pascha), is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. These themes are observed not only in the act of the resurrection itself, but also in the idea of being reborn in aligning yourself with him as a result of this sacrifice. Additionally, if you observe much of the décor crafted for modern day Easter, it’s hard to miss the fertility symbolism and celebration of the features of vernal equinox which are rampant throughout it.

There was a time when the vernal equinox was considered the beginning of the new year. This explains then why Aries is considered the beginning of the zodiacal year and why the later months – October, November, December – are named as they are. In fact, for the Zoroastrians of Persia, this day had its own name: Nawruz (نوروز, pronounced ‘noh-rooz’ and meaning new day). Today, the holiday is still observed by modern day Zoroastrians, the Isma’ili, and followers of the Baháʼí Faith.

In Khthonic Wicca

In Persephone’s cyclical seasonal journey, Ostara marks the first steps of Persephone onto Gaia’s surface. Every step she takes changes the ground beneath her. Every breath she breathes changes the air around her. From the Realm of Death springs the Goddess of Life. With her, she brings rebirth, fertility, vibrance, balance, and transformation. Demeter is reunited with her daughter, and Haides pines for her once more from afar. As day overcomes night, Hemera, Aither, and Helios take up domain over their half of the year, casting light all around us. We can assist with and attune to this process by sewing our own seeds and ensuring an abundant bounty for all.

In domain, if we consider the connection between Ēostre and Haéusōs, the logical conclusion in parallel is the frisky Goddess of Dawn, Eos, who rises from Okeanos at dawn to scatter the mists of Erebos. In some mythos, she was cursed by Aphrodite for consorting with Ares. As a result, she has an irresistible and unquenchable desire to make love with beautiful men. She ultimately settled down with the Trojan prince, Tithonos, whom was turned into a grasshopper by a poorly-worded request to Zeus for his immortality but not his eternal youth. In addition to Eos, Persephone, Aphrodite, and perhaps Khloris may be given special honors during this time of year. I would also add Eunomia, per my personal associations for her. As with every Khthonic Wiccan observance of the sabbat, we also take time during Ostara to offer prayer to the Sacred Triad, to the Olympioi, and to the Protogenoi in accordance with seasonal shifts in energies.

As acts of service around this time of year, it is recommended to donate the old to be reused anew, set out birdfeed, plant for endangered and local insects, and continuing tending to any community gardens you have given your attention to.

Sabbat Correspondences

As mentioned in the previous section, if we look at what little we know of Ēostre, it is possible that the best parallel for her at this time is Eos. Though, given the transition into spring, it is also appropriate to recognize and honor Persephone for her role in the matter, as well.

In Wicca, are moving toward the more adolescent stage of Divine Youth. The fertile Maiden Goddess becomes the highly sought-after prize in the eyes of the virile Youth God. The Void Womb of Khaos is fertilized by the organized momentum of Kosmos. Ouranos covers Gaia to give life to the Tangible. Persephone brings about the Season of Spring.

Plants: Tulip, Daffodil, Lily, Lemongrass, Apple
Minerals: Moss Agate, Rose Quartz, Carnelian, Aquamarine, Silver
Colors: Pastel Pink, Pastel Purple, Pastel Blue, Pastel Green, Pastel Yellow
Animals: Chick, Lamb, Rabbit, Butterfly, Phoenix
Symbols: Greek Cross, Basket, Egg, Baby Animals, Pastel Flowers
Tarot: The Fool, The High Priestess, The Magician

Ostara Ritual Ideas

The most important part of my Ostara observations begins with a little bit of a welcoming ritual for Persephone. It’s a great time to share a meal with her and to bring in some freshly picked wildflowers to greet her upon her arrival to the surface. You may also choose, if you are a morning person, to wake with the sunrise to greet Eos on this day, as well. Not to mention, sunrise is a wonderful and quiet time of day which is perfect for setting your intention for the remainder of the day.

If you are someone who enjoys dying eggs with natural or otherwise biodegradable cluttering, you can ground and bless them for what I might call “faery dust” for the garden. You could, of course, add some faery and agriculturally relevant herbs to the blend, as well as some eco-friendly glitter if you’re the sparkly sort. Then you’d add them to your garden bed for the added calcium they provide as well as with the intention for your garden – and your goals – to grow big and strong. This also sets the tone of the fae being welcome into your space as we move towards Beltane.

Along with my personal prayers at this time, it would also be a good time to prayer to Aphrodite and Ares for both the feminine and masculine aspects of the developing Inner Child. We want to romanticize and rejuvenate our lives and bring a bit of whimsy and magick into the world around us.

Finally, as a follow-up to my Embodiment of the Dragon Ritual, I do something I call the Rebirth of the Phoenix Ritual. As I called the spirits of the dragons in said previous ritual, I call the spirits of the phoenixes in this one, and I ask that they help to grow the seed of the Spark within my heart that was initially stoked at Imbolc. We are attempting to grow into a more authentic and ideal version of ourselves. In this way, we are reborn, discarding or reworking what caused us issues in the past and starting fresh as a result.

Ostara Spread Ideas

As you can imagine, Ostara often involves lamb, eggs, and lots of greenery in the dishes I prepare. For the day – or for some time throughout the season – I like to make Polish lettuce soup (as I myself am partly Polish), or ‘sałacianka’, and some spring radish salad. You might also wish to make some floral deviled eggs with any of the eggs you dye to snack on throughout the day.

For dinner the night of, lamb chops with a creamy dill sauce pair well with some steamed lemony asparagus – one of the first vegetables to grow this time of year – and some traditional hot crossed buns. For dessert, I’d recommend a nice, vibrant lemon lavender cake with a grasshopper (a popular mint chocolate dessert cocktail) as a nod to Eos and her lover. You may even choose to save some to offer her. This meal could otherwise be served nicely alongside an herbal liquor or spirit of choice.

For Your Reference

The Digital Grimoire provides a plethora of free resources on witchcraft, Khthonic Wicca, and more. As of today, a quick reference for Ostara has been added to the Sabbats subsection, available here on my website any time you should need it. Until my next article, have a very blessed Ostara!

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