Celebrating Ostara On March 20th 2025 (Northern Hemisphere)

A Pagan’s Guide to the Spring Equinox

Ostara, the Spring Equinox, is one of the most beautiful and powerful festivals celebrated in Pagan traditions. Held around March 20, this holiday marks the moment when day and night are in perfect balance. It’s a celebration of the growing light, fertility, renewal, and the awakening of nature after the long winter months. For Pagans, Ostara represents a time of energetic renewal, a moment when the Earth begins to awaken from its winter slumber and new life bursts forth.

In this article, I’ll guide you through the customs and practices that many Pagans use to celebrate Ostara, including how they decorate their altars, the spellwork they perform, and the foods they eat. We’ll also dive into the history and lore behind this vibrant celebration.

The History and Lore of Ostara

Ostara, also known as the Spring Equinox, is rich in mythology and lore. The holiday takes its name from Eostre, a goddess from Anglo-Saxon pagan traditions, whose name is derived from the Old High German word “Ostara,” meaning “dawn.” Eostre was the goddess of dawn, fertility, and the renewal of life. According to legend, she would bring the first light of spring and bless the Earth with fertility.

One of the most well-known symbols associated with Eostre is the hare or rabbit, an animal traditionally linked with fertility and new life. The hare is often depicted as a messenger of Eostre, symbolizing the renewal and vitality of spring. The eggs, also linked with fertility, are sacred to her as they represent the potential of new life, making them an essential symbol of the holiday.

Setting Up an Ostara Altar

Creating an Ostara altar is an important part of the celebration for many Pagans. The altar is a space dedicated to honoring the energies of the season and inviting balance, growth, and fertility into the life of the practitioner. Here are some common elements that you may find on a Pagan Ostara altar:

• Flowers: Fresh, blooming flowers are a must on an Ostara altar, representing the fertility of the Earth and the awakening of spring. Daffodils, crocuses, tulips, and lilies are all commonly used to symbolize new life.
• Eggs: The egg is a powerful symbol of fertility and new beginnings. You may choose to decorate eggs or place them on your altar as a representation of potential and the fertility of the Earth.
• Seeds and Grains: As Ostara is a celebration of planting and growth, seeds are often placed on the altar to symbolize new projects, intentions, or personal growth. Grains like oats, wheat, or barley represent abundance and the fruits of the Earth.
• Candles: Light is a central theme of Ostara, as the days begin to lengthen. White, yellow, or pastel-colored candles are often used on the altar to represent the increasing sunlight and the renewal of life.
• Crystals: Crystals like amethyst, rose quartz, aventurine, and moonstone are used for their properties of emotional healing, fertility, and connection with the Earth’s energies. These crystals are perfect for meditation during the Spring Equinox.

Rituals and Spellwork for Ostara

Spellwork during Ostara is often focused on new beginnings, personal growth, and fertility. It’s a time to plant the seeds of your intentions and nurture them into fruition. Here are a few ways Pagans incorporate spellwork during Ostara:

1. Seed Planting Ritual: A simple but powerful ritual involves planting seeds (literally or metaphorically). Write down your intentions for the upcoming season on pieces of paper or small seeds and bury them in the Earth or place them in a pot. As the seeds grow, they symbolize the growth of your intentions.
2. Balance and Harmony Spell: Since Ostara represents balance, performing a ritual that focuses on achieving balance in your life is a powerful way to honor the Equinox. Stand with your arms outstretched to symbolize balance between light and dark, and meditate on areas of your life that need equilibrium.
3. Fertility Spell: Use the energies of Ostara to manifest new projects, relationships, or creative endeavors. Write your desires on a piece of paper, bury it in the Earth, or burn it in a candle flame to release your wishes into the universe. Many Pagans also use a fertility charm or amulet during this time to encourage growth in their goals.
4. Cleansing and Renewal: Ostara is a time of cleansing and renewal. Many Pagans practice a spiritual spring cleaning by smudging with sage or palo santo to clear out stagnant energy and invite fresh, vibrant energy into their lives.

Foods and Offerings for Ostara

Food plays an important role in the Ostara celebration, as it reflects the fertility of the Earth and the coming of abundance. Here are some foods often used in Ostara rituals and feasts:

• Eggs: Symbolizing fertility, renewal, and new life, eggs are central to Ostara meals. They can be boiled, decorated, or used in baking and cooking.
• Breads and Grains: Whole grain bread or pastries made with oats, barley, and other grains are often eaten during Ostara celebrations to honor the Earth’s abundance. Freshly baked bread also symbolizes the fruits of labor and the nurturing of new beginnings.
• Spring Vegetables: Seasonal vegetables like leafy greens, asparagus, peas, and radishes are perfect for celebrating Ostara. These represent the fertility of the soil and the abundance of the Earth.
• Dairy and Honey: Dairy products like butter or cheese, and honey (often from bees which are associated with fertility) are commonly used as offerings to honor the energies of the season.
• Herbal Teas: Herbal teas made from flowers such as chamomile or lavender, or herbs like mint and thyme, are often sipped during Ostara rituals for their calming and healing properties.

Dancing and Celebrations

For many Pagans, Ostara is not just about rituals and spells—it’s also about celebrating the joy and renewal of life through music, dancing, and festive gatherings. Pagans often gather with their community to celebrate the turning of the Wheel of the Year and to enjoy the return of warmer weather and longer days. Dancing in a circle, jumping over bonfires (symbolizing purification and fertility), and singing songs of spring are all joyful traditions of Ostara.

Conclusion: Embracing the Energy of Ostara

Ostara is a time of balance, growth, fertility, and renewal. As Pagans celebrate the return of the light, they honor the Earth’s fertility, plant new intentions, and celebrate the abundance and growth that spring brings. With rituals, spellwork, seasonal foods, and offerings, Ostara is an opportunity to connect with nature and the cycles of the Earth while welcoming new beginnings into your life.

This Spring Equinox, take time to reflect on what you want to nurture and grow. Whether it’s planting seeds in the garden or in your soul, Ostara encourages us to trust in the process of creation and the beauty of new beginnings. Let this powerful celebration of balance and fertility guide you toward your highest potential in the months to come.