Ostara
Ostara (OST-ara) is also known as Eostara (EOH-star), Alban Eiler (Caledoni), the Spring (Vernal) Equinox and marks the first official day of spring. The Goddess fully awakes to bring the Earth fertility and the God is maturing as He walks with the wild beasts. This the time of beginnings and action and tending to your gardens.
As Spring reaches its midpoint, night and day stand in perfect balance, with light on the increase. The young Sun God now celebrates a hierogamy (sacred marriage) with the young Maiden Goddess, who conceives. In nine months she will again become the Great Mother. It is a time of great fertility, new growth and newborn animals.
The next full moon (a time of increased births) is called the Ostara and is sacred to Eostre the Saxon Lunar Goddess of fertility (from whence we get the word estrogen, whose two symbols were the egg and the rabbit (hence the Easter Egg and Bunny!).
The Christian religion adopted these emblems for Easter which is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox. The theme of the conception of the Goddess was adapted as the Feast of the Annunciation, occurring on the alternative fixed calendar date of March 25 Old Lady Day, the earlier date of the equinox. Lady Day may also refer to other goddesses (such as Venus and Aphrodite), many of whom have festivals celebrated at this time.Ostara Correspondences
Symbolism
Midpoint of Spring, the Vernal Equinox, Fertility, Growth, The God and Goddess in youthful aspect. New Beginnings. Symbols
Eggs, Rabbits, Spring Flowers.Deities
Any Maiden aspect of the Goddess, but especially Athena, Venus, Aphrodite, Cerridwen, Freya and Isis.
Traditional Foods
Leafy green vegetables, dairy foods (such as eggs , milk and cheese), and spring vegetables (such as cabbage, sprouts and carrots).
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, amethyst, aquamarine and bloodstone.
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. This is also the time to free yourself from anything in the past that is holding you back.
