The history of Ostara

Ever wonder where the term "Easter" comes from? It actually originates from the same place as the term "Ostara" - both are linked to the ancient Germanic fertility goddess "Eostre". In pre-Christian times during Ēosturmōnaþ (the Old Germanic equivalent to April), pagan Anglo-Saxons held feasts in Esotre's honor, and celebrated the rebirth of Spring with many rituals we'd recognize today. Since ancient times, the Hare and the Egg have represented fertility and the return of Spring.

Later, the name Eostre evolved into Ostara throughout continental Europe, and the fertility goddess became more of a folklore character. Many legends and stories were written about this character, which may or may not have early ties to Eostre.

One of these stories was "Ostara and the Hare". According to the legend, Ostara is responsible for bringing Spring to our lands each year. One year she was late, because she found a dying bird in the snow. She brought it back to life as a white hare, and named it Lepus. To honor the hare’s original bird-form, Ostara gave the hare the power to lay eggs one day a year. Once a year, the hare was permitted to give away its eggs to those attending the Ostara Spring festivals.

In the mid-20th century, Ostara made its way into the Wheel of the Year Calendar of Wiccan and Neo-Pagan practices, and falls on the day of the Spring Equinox.

Ritual Ideas

1. Coloring eggs

Believe it or not, mentions of colored eggs have been traced back to the ancient ritual celebrations of Eostre! This is such a fun way to get into the spirit of Ostara, and decorate your house with pops of color. And if you have kids, it's a great way to get the family involved.

Before coloring your eggs, you can choose to remove the egg and just dye the whole shell, or hard-boil the egg and eat the dyed egg later. To remove the egg from the shell, make small holes with a thumbtack at either end of the egg, cover one of the holes, and forcefully blow the egg out of the other hole! Just make sure you have a bowl underneath...

To dye your eggs or eggshells:

1. Fill a glass with about a half cup of hot tap water
2. Stir in 1/2 tsp of vinegar
3. Stir in 10-20 drops of food coloring
4. Place an egg (or eggshell) in the cup.  You can let it float, turning it frequently so it colors evenly, or you can submerge it by pushing it under the water with a skewer. Either way, allow your eggs to sit in the colored water for at least 5 minutes. The longer you leave your egg in the water, the darker it will be.

Once they are dyed, let your eggs dry. You now have a colorful treat, or a lovely decoration for your altar!

Another note: If you use salt circles in your practice, crushed eggshells are an excellent environmentally-friendly alternative! Salt can really wreak havoc on your local ecosystem, so always used crushed eggshells when practicing outdoor rituals. And what better way to celebrate Ostara than with colored eggshells?

2. Seed Blessings

If you are a gardener, now is the time of year to plant your seedlings in anticipation for the growing season. If you live in a colder climate, you may need to plant seedlings indoors for now, and transplant them after the last frost.

And, of course, planting seeds is such a lovely opportunity for you to plant some intentions for your own "Growing Season". Each time you plant a seed, visualize and hold your intention. As the seeds grow, return to the blessings or intentions that they are holding for you. Use them to channel growth in your own life. Feel free to elaborate on this ritual in any way that feels right.

3. Spring Cleaning

With the return of spring comes a burst of energy! Spring is the time to clean, reset, and prioritize your goals for the coming year. If it feels right, try celebrating Ostara by decluttering a room, organizing your junk drawer, or making a list of your April goals. Use smoke cleansing or incense to reset a space, or maybe practice some meditation to clear out your mind.