Ostara | How to Celebrate
The 2026 Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere falls on March 20.
Today as I write this blog post I am thinking back to the Imbolc post I wrote earlier this year. It was bitterly cold that day, with mountains of snow everywhere. It was just weeks ago, but now Central New York is expecting temperatures up to 60 degrees. 60! Well, that is for today anyway, tomorrow is a tale for another day.
You cannot help but see the signs of spring everywhere. There is a change in the migration of birds, the geese have been flying back in their v-formation, honking their greetings to all of us below. The bird song has changed from the caw of the crow to a musical symphony. The blue jays have returned with their piercing cries, and each morning they give the crows a run for their money at the peanut dish on my porch.
I lost a tree this past fall and in its place, I planted an oak sapling. The tree was engulfed in a snowdrift that reached its full height. I am happy to report there are buds! Signs of new life. I believe it has survived our very harsh winter this year, as did I.
The Origins of Ostara
Blow, blow, thou winter wind
Blow, blow, thou winter wind,
Thou art not so unkind
As man’s ingratitude;
Thy tooth is not so keen,
Because thou art not seen,
Although thy breath be rude.
Heigh-ho! sing, heigh-ho! unto the green holly:
Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly:
Then, heigh-ho, the holly!
This life is most jolly.
Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky,
That dost not bite so nigh
As benefits forgot:
Though thou the waters warp,
Thy sting is not so sharp
As friend remembered not.
Heigh-ho! sing, heigh-ho! unto the green holly...
William Shakespeare, 1599
People worldwide celebrate the Spring Equinox when day and night are equal in length. Soon the light will overtake the darkness and our days will grow longer, the weather warmer. We will have leaves on the trees again and flowers in our gardens. The plants with fragrant blooms will scent the air, and soon there will be succulent fruits to be harvested. We have survived the harsh winter, and life is beginning to stir everywhere.
The sacred Wheel of the Year is turning once again. We are emerging from the darkness; there is renewal and rebirth all around us. The change happening in the natural world can aid us in capturing a glimmer of magical hope, and may we hold it close. Is it not interesting how the natural world continues to move forward despite what is happening in the news? Take heart in the rhythm of the Earth and ground yourselves. We will survive this harsh wintertime of war, turmoil, and the grasping of greedy men.
It reminds me of singing Shakespearean sonnets to cope with difficult times in my early adulthood.
Spirituality and Mythos
Life truly is magical and jolly when you take a moment to notice. The Spring Equinox is especially cheerful and its themes showcase its distinct magic.
Eostre
Ostara derives its name from Eostre, the Germanic goddess. She was a deity of spring, dawn, and fertility. According to the tale, during the Equinox, Eostre comes across a bird that is so frozen it cannot move its wings and faces certain doom. In her empathy for the creature, she transforms the bird into a hare. The hare is incredibly grateful to Eostre for saving its life. Magically, the hare has preserved certain avian traits and continues to possess the ability to lay eggs. The hare leaves colorful eggs for the goddess in thanks for her kindness.
Persephone
Other cultures also explore the themes of Spring. In ancient Greek mythology, there is the story of Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, goddess of agriculture and fertility. According to myth, Persephone is seized by Hades and brought into the underworld. Demeter is so grief stricken she plunges the world into winter rendering the earth barren. When Persephone returns to her mother on the equinox, Demeter is joyful and brings the Earth back to life. We see evidence of her return with the world coming to life again.
Inanna
The tales of goddess Inanna come from the ancient Sumerian civilization of Mesopotamia, dating around 3500-3000 BCE. Today, this area is within modern-day Iraq. Inanna is one of the oldest recorded deities in written history with most information about her is found on cuneiform tablets.
One of Inanna's best-known myths is about her journey into the underworld, which is ruled by her sister Ereshkigal. During this journey, Inanna must pass through seven gates. Each gate she passes she is made to remove a piece of her clothing or relinquish some of her power to pass through. Eventually she is killed by the judges of the underworld and hung on a hook. After three days she reincarnates and returns to the world above. Her story symbolizes transformation and the cyclical rhythm of the natural world.
Brigid
In Celtic spirituality, Brigid carries the sacred flame that burns during the winter. Her fire appears strongly at Imbolc. The lingering flame from Imbolc then transforms into the green growth of spring at the Spring Equinox.
Spring Celebrations Around The World
Holi – The Hindu spring festival of color and love. People celebrate this holiday by dressing in colorful clothing and playfully painting each other in beautiful colors and powders.
Nowruz – “New Day.” On the Spring Equinox the Persian New Year is observed in Iran and other Persianate cultures. During Nowruz, often homes are cleaned and broken items are repaired. The day ends with a gathering and celebration.
Shunbun no Hi - A Japanese celebration when people visit their ancestors' graves, clean them, and leave offerings to their loved ones.
Some ways we can celebrate Ostara:
Take a walk in the woods or outdoors, looking for signs of spring.
Find items in nature to bring home and decorate your altars with.
Decorate with effigies of rabbits and eggs.
Start a garden from seed.
And my personal favorite, to wake up early, position yourself eastward facing and watch the sun come up.
However you chose to celebrate, be sure to take some time reflecting on the cyclical nature of life. Everything in life changes. We are headed for brighter days ahead.
All blessings be,
Rev. Sherene
