Ostara

Eostre (Oh-star-ah): The goddess of Spring

“With you, anything is possible

the sun warms the winter chills

flowers replace the winter snows

you remind me that all is attainable

nothing is out of reach.”

“Eostre Goddess of Spring represents the Maiden aspect of the Wiccan Triple Goddess – the Maiden, Mother, and Crone. The Maiden is young and pure, growing and blossoming in her youth and therefore represents birth and beauty…” Eostre: Goddess of Spring and Ostara – Otherworldly Oracle

Eostre Goddess & The Ancient Story of Spring

“The term “Easter” actually originates with the Goddess of Spring’s name – Eostre. Eostre was the Goddess of the Spring and her reign began on the Vernal (Spring) Equinox. She was worshiped by the Germanic people [Teutonic Order – Wikipedia] of Europe before the rise of the Church. In Bede’s eighth century writings, he refers to Eostre as the Goddess who was worshiped in the Spring and by whom the holiday Easter is named after:

“It is only noted in the writings of Venerable Bede that the Germanic name for the month of April, Eosturmōnaþ (Northumbrian), Ēastermōnaþ (West Saxon), Ôstarmânoth (Old High German), was named for a Goddess called Eostre or Ostara whose feast day was celebrated in the spring and further speculated by the writings of Jacob Grimm . Eostre – The Witchipedia

Etymology

“The name Eostre comes from the proto-Indo-European root *h₂ewes- which gives rise to the proto-Germanic *Austrō both meaning “to shine”. This word is the source of the names of the Goddess of the Dawn in many cultures, see Eos, Aurora, Ushas…

“Venerable Bede in his 8th century De temporum ratione (On the Reckoning of Time)¹ writes:

“Eosturmonath has a name which is now translated “Paschal month”, and which was once called after a goddess of theirs named Eostre, in whose honor feasts were celebrated in that month. Now they designate that Paschal season by her name, calling the joys of the new rite by the time-honoured name of the old observance.”

Eostre, Rabbits, Eggs, and Fertility!

Eostre: Goddess of Spring and Ostara – Otherworldly Oracle

What does Eostre symbolize?

Light

“While Eostre is not directly linked with the sun, she is responsible for ushering in light and dawn. She is widely regarded as a symbol of the morning and new beginnings, and bonfires are often mounted to honor and celebrate her.

Resurrection

“Eostre is closely associated with resurrection. But this resurrection has nothing to do with coming back from the dead, it’s about the rejuvenation of nature that comes with the commencement of the spring season.

Fertility

“Eostre is widely regarded as the goddess of fertility. She is believed to be in charge of the birth, germination, and growth of living things in Nature. This growth is an indication of the ability of Eostre to enhance the fertility of the soil and land.

“In northern paganism, an image of a radiant maiden in white is used to represent her. She is typically depicted as a majestic and messianic figure, part of her symbolism as resurrecting nature.

“One of the main symbols associated with spring and Eostre is color. During the spring celebrations, there are several records and accounts of people using red paints on eggs. However, only a few people are aware that the practice came from the worship of the Goddess. Eostre worshipers are known for coating eggs with colorful paint to represent the bright colors of nature and flowers.

How to Celebrate:

1. Painting Decorative Eggs

2. Plant & Nurture New Seeds

3. Baking Ostara Bread & Hot Cross Buns

4. Bless chocolate eggs and then eat them

5. Hunting for eggs

6. Create egg shell candies

7. Spring Cleaning

8. Spring time Bouquet

9. Nature Walk – connect to your 5 senses. What do you see, smell, hear, feel, taste? Give gratitude to the earth beneath your feet. Walk bearfoot, even

10. Drink Dandelion tea

The most common Ostara symbols:

“Colors: White, pink, sky blue, light yellow, spring green, and lavender

“Crystals: Aquamarine, moonstone, rose quartz

“Herbs: Spring flowers (crocuses, daffodils, lilies, tulips, etc.), lemongrass, thyme, tarragon, lemon balm, red clover

“Trees: Birch, ash, alder, willow

“Altar Decorations: Brightly colored altar cloths, decorated eggs or a basket of eggs, freshly-picked flowers, feathers, items that represent balance (i.e a scale, black and white candles, god & goddess statues), seeds, herbs, or plants.

“Associations: Setting new intentions, fertility, hope, balance, and inner harmony

“The hare has always been a revered symbol of the moon, with ties to lunar goddesses such as Freya, Hecate, and the Chinese goddess Chang’e. Just like the Ostara goddesses, the egg symbolizes fertility, hope, and rebirth. How To Celebrate Ostara: Spring Equinox Rituals, Traditions & Ideas (teaandrosemary.com)

“In one folk tale, all of the animals of the forest were preparing for a great party, and with it, the arrival of a great goddess. In anticipation of her arrival, the animals scurried to find suitable gifts for the goddess – everything from the mundane to the absolutely wondrous.

“Seeing all the gifts and trinkets that the other animals could provide, the hare ran home to find something special that the goddess might deem worthy. He searched all his cupboards, under the bed, in the pantry, and all over his house – but he had nothing.

“Until, on the very last shelf, the hare found a single egg. The last of his possessions, he carefully took it down and decorated it for the goddess.

“Once all the animals had presented their own gifts – glittering jewels, silver, and gold – the hare nervously presented his crafty little egg. She took the egg from him, smiled, and appointed him a special place in her company due to his generosity and thoughtfulness.

“Another legend is that the goddess Ostara once found a wounded bird on the ground, which she saved by turning it into a hare. The hare, however, still laid eggs like a bird, and so would decorate and gift these eggs to Ostara as a token of thanks.”

How many goddesses of spring are there?

“Across cultures, a number of Goddesses of spring have manifested, including:

Ēostre or Ostara, the Germanic goddess of spring
Persephone or Kore, the Greek goddess of spring.
Iðunn, the Norse goddess of spring.
Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers and the spring.
Xochiquetzal, the Aztec goddess of fertility, childbirth, vegetation, and flowers.
The Ancient Romans celebrated Cybele, Mother of the Gods and her consort Attis.
Indigenous Mayans honored the serpent deity Kukulkan.
Persians continue to celebrate the equinox as Nowruz, or the new year. What Is Ostara and How Do You Celebrate It? | The Pagan Grimoire

“Spring is also that time of the year when many cultures are in celebration and festival mode even as a new planting season begins and people can connect with the earth once again. “

Eostre, the Goddess of Spring and Other Pagan Deities of Springtime – Spells8

How did I celebrate Ostara, e.g. , the Spring Equinox (March 20^th – 23^rd)? I celebrated it through a self-reflection meditation with my Sacred Card pulls and essential oils, they are important to me. Below is a Photo of my own pulls and insights from them:

My pulls for this Spring Equinox:

Bridging between the worlds #rainbowmayanite once more – creating wholeness

“Don’t ask to understand the secrets of the universe, but simply to know what this moment means.” Related to self-reflection and to be insightful. The woman is also sitting upon a globe.

And I then pulled, the world Tarot card, upright. I am in a new chapter of abundance in my life, to be fully integrate, I need to let go of all attachments and make believe expectations that keep me in illusion. All the elements and four corners are seen in this card too. Rose Mandela represents wholeness, a union of masculine and feminine, and the tree of life in the background. Powerful card!

#archangelpreminilek – “be conscientious. Co-operate with others for the highest good.” And the card is beautiful! Spring all around. This angel is guardian of the insects.

Coyote in reverse – telling me to check myself, where I have self-sabotaged, abandoned myself, and to pay close attention to my surroundings, where deceit lingers. Coyote is always lurking, knows exactly what it does, and does it joyously! #trickstergods or #trickster ally’s are two sided, revealing what we are avoiding, or testing our set boundaries. Like the Jackel in Egypt too.