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Ostara [os-tara or aw-star-ah], observed near March 21st, celebrates the return of life and growth, and rebirth of the Earth, when flowers are reappearing after a long winter. This is when the sowing of seeds begins.

The 'Easter Bunny' is a symbol of fertility, and 'Easter eggs' are ancient pagan symbols of the cosmic egg of creation. Eggs were decorated with magickal symbols and used in rituals for fertility. Ostara is also a celebration of the return of the Maiden Goddess, and the youthful life energy she brings along with her. Darkness and Winter have been put behind us, and the growth season is beginning. The Spring Equinox is a true celebration of renewed life and nature.

Honouring the Maiden aspect of the Goddess is fitting, as is celebration that recognises the strength, both emotional and physical, of women and young women. All is new and possible in the time of the Maiden. This sabbat is an ideal time to break chains that may hinder our growth, and perform protection rituals.

¤ correlations ¤

::aka::
Ostara
Eostar
Oestara
Eostre's Day
Rite of Eostre
Alban Eilir
Festival of the Trees
Lady Day
Spring Equinox
(the similarity between most of these names and 'Easter' is because they come from the Teutonic lunar Goddess, Eostre.)

::goddesses::
Eostre
Persephone
Blodewedd
Hera
Isis
Minerva
Aphrodite
Athena
Cybele
Gaia
Ishtar
Venus

::energies::
productivity
birth
growth
flowering

::colours::
grass green
yellow
robin's egg blue
violet
white

::stones::
aquamarine
moonstone
rose quartz
jasper

::plants and herbs::
daffodils
Irish moss
ginger
crocus flowers
jasmine
honeysuckle
peony
iris
olive

::objects::
rabbits
eggs
butterflies

::incense::
lavender
cinnamon
nutmeg
narcissus
sage
lotus
strawberry
jasmine
frankincense
myrrh
dragon's blood
musk
African violet
orange peel
rose petals

::activities/rituals::
egg games
fertility rituals and celebrations
making/buying new clothing for the year
lighting of new fires at dawn
protection rituals
Spring cleaning (literal cleaning, as well as ridding your home of negative energy)