Ostara’s Meaning, Traditions & A Simple Ostara Ritual Source: otherworldlyoracle.com

The Spring Equinox is knocking on our dew-stained windows, beckoning us to remember its beauty and release. Many Wiccans, witches and Pagans celebrate the Spring Equinox, also known as Ostara, which falls around March 21st in the Northern Hemisphere and around September 21st in the Southern Hemisphere. Learn all about Ostara’s meaning, how to celebrate Ostara with old and modern traditions, correspondences, and adapt our simple Ostara ritual as your own.

Ostara and Easter’s Similar Origins

The word Ostara originates from a Spring Goddess’s name—Eostre. The symbols of Ostara are uncannily similar to the traditions of the Christian holiday Easter. Why is this? To find Jesus’ Resurrection Day on the calendar – look at the first full moon following the Spring Equinox, and Easter will be on the first Sunday following the full moon. If it happens the first full moon of Spring falls on a Sunday, then Easter will be on the following Sunday.

Easter & Fertility

The word Easter looks a lot like the Spring Goddess’s name Eostre, doesn’t it? There’s no coincidence there! Ostara (the Spring Equinox) was celebrated by Germanic people including the Anglo-Saxons. Fertility and rebirth of the earth were the two main reasons for Ostara festivities. The earth is returning to its abundant greenness and the sun is returning to the high skies. Flowers are budding, lambs are bleating in the fields, and the whole of nature is singing.

Ostara Symbols and Traditions

The Easter Bunny is an image on a pedestal with the likes of Santa Claus and The Tooth Fairy. But where does the Easter Bunny come from? Just like so many other historical Holiday icons and traditions, the Easter Bunny was born from Pagan customs. Bunnies are cute, fluffy, and hippety-hoppety. But they’re also known for mating. LOTS of it. It should come as no surprise the Rabbit is one of Ostara’s original symbols of fertility. In addition, there’s speculation the goddess Eostre once had a consort who was part-rabbit and of whom was depicted as a man-sized hare.

Easter Eggs

Easter Eggs are another symbol of fertility and rebirth. Christians claim Easter eggs represent Christ’s Resurrection – an egg inevitably means new life or birth into a new life. The “dying of eggs” tradition may have its roots in the ancient Zoroastrians’ painting egg ritual on the Spring Equinox. Painting eggs is a common activity at various times of the year for many countries, including Ukraine, the U.S., Austria, Germany, Poland, Russia, and Bulgaria.

Flowers

Another image that is widely associated with Ostara and Easter…the flower. The symbol of the flower is new life. Flowers have an uplifting effect on us. Their bright colors prove even though there is a time for death, there will always be a time for rebirth. This Ostara, pick some wildflowers and place them in a vase on your table or altar. Or decorate your table with Spring greenery. It will remind you of the beauty of Spring and of the true meaning of Ostara (and Easter, for that matter) which is new life.

If you want to see some information on any tradition of witchcraft, please put it in the comment section or email Lady Carla Beltane at ladybeltane@witchesofthecraft.com. I will try to find some information to post about it.

May your and your family’s lives be filled with all things positive!

Blessed be.

I find the celebration of Mabon to be one of the most significant events of the year. Mabon is a festival that marks the autumn equinox and is often celebrated on or around September 21st. It is a time of balance, where day and night are equal, and we give thanks for the abundance of the harvest season. Mabon rituals are primarily centered around balance, so this is a great time to rebalance yourself and look back on your year.

Mabon is a time for reflection and gratitude, and many Pagans choose to celebrate this festival with rituals and ceremonies. These rituals often involve the lighting of candles, the burning of incense, and the offering of food and drink to the gods and goddesses.

Some people choose to hold their rituals in nature, such as in a forest or by a river, while others prefer to celebrate in their homes or at a local Pagan community center. Regardless of the location, the focus is on honoring the changing of the seasons and the cycles of life and death.

In this blog post, I’m going to cover every aspect of Mabon, from popular Mabon rituals (including a full-on ritual for serious practitioners) to the history, culture, symbolism, and deities associated with Mabon. Let’s dive in!

Click here to read the rest of this article – Source: teaandrosemary.com

So you want to know more about Dianic Wicca? This pantheistic religion celebrates the feminine divine and is often misunderstood.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Dianic Wicca, its beliefs and practices, and how it differs from other branches of Wicca.