Ostara Celebration: Eggs, Bunnies, and Springtime Magic

Welcoming the Energy of Ostara

A sacred Ostara altar adorned with flowers, eggs, and candles to honor the Spring Equinox.

As winter loosens its grip and the days grow longer, we welcome Ostara, the Spring Equinox—a time of balance, renewal, and awakening. This sacred sabbat, celebrated tomorrow on March 20, 2025, marks the moment when day and night stand equal, a turning point in the Wheel of the Year that heralds the return of warmth, fertility, and abundant life. Ostara celebrations embrace themes of rebirth, hope, and the promise of new beginnings, making it a powerful time for magical and spiritual work.

But why do eggs, rabbits, and fresh flowers play such a significant role in Ostara traditions? And how can modern witches honor this seasonal shift? Let’s dive into the rich history, symbolism, and practical ways to celebrate Ostara’s vibrant energy.

The History and Mythology of Ostara

Ostara is named after Eostre (or Ostara), a Germanic goddess associated with the dawn, fertility, and the coming of spring. While historical records of Eostre’s worship are scarce, the association of her name with Easter and the symbols of eggs and hares suggests a deep-rooted connection to springtime fertility rites. It is worth noting that some scholars debate the extent of Eostre’s historical worship, but her connection to spring symbolism remains powerful.

Eostre and the Hare

One of the most enduring myths tells of Eostre’s sacred hare, an animal linked to both fertility and the moon. According to legend, Eostre transformed a bird into a hare, which retained the ability to lay eggs. This tale explains why eggs and rabbits—both potent fertility symbols—are tied to modern Easter and Ostara celebrations alike.

Eggs as Symbols of Renewal

Eggs have long been associated with creation, fertility, and potential. Ancient pagans painted and decorated eggs as part of spring festivals, celebrating the promise of life emerging from within. In some traditions, eggs were buried in fields as offerings to ensure a bountiful harvest, while others viewed them as sacred objects used in divination and spells.

Ancient Spring Celebrations

While Ostara itself is rooted in Germanic traditions, similar celebrations existed across the ancient world:

• The Roman festival of Cybele and Attis honored the resurrection of the god Attis and the rebirth of nature.

• Persephone’s return from the underworld in Greek mythology symbolized the awakening of the earth after winter.

• Egyptian festivals for Isis and Osiris celebrated renewal and fertility.

These themes of rebirth and balance resonate across cultures, reinforcing the Spring Equinox as a powerful time of transformation.

The Symbolism of Ostara

Ostara is rich with symbols that represent growth, balance, and new life. Incorporating these elements into your celebration deepens your connection to the sabbat’s energy. The balance of day and night at the equinox reflects not only the harmony in nature but also the inner balance we strive for - the integration of light and shadow, conscious and unconscious.

Signs of renewal and growth—fresh greenery, wildflowers, and seeds symbolizing the magic of new beginnings this Ostara.

Key Symbols of Ostara:

• Eggs – Fertility, potential, creation.

• Rabbits/Hares – Abundance, vitality, quick manifestation.

• Flowers (daffodils, crocuses, tulips) – Beauty, fresh starts, divine blessings.

• Fresh greenery and seeds – Growth, renewal, the cycle of life.

• Sunlight and balance – The harmony of day and night, masculine and feminine energies working together.

Ostara Celebration: Rituals, Spells, and Family Traditions

Whether you prefer solitary rituals, family-friendly activities, or nature-based practices, there are countless ways to embrace Ostara’s vibrant energy.

1. Setting Up an Ostara Altar

Creating an altar dedicated to Ostara is a beautiful way to invite the energy of spring into your sacred space. Consider including:

• Pastel-colored candles (green, yellow, pink, or purple).

• A bowl of decorated eggs or a bird’s nest to symbolize fertility.

• Fresh flowers, especially early bloomers like daffodils or cherry blossoms.

• Crystals such as citrine (abundance), rose quartz (love), or moss agate (growth).

• Representations of rabbits, birds, or butterflies.

  
  

2. Ostara Rituals for Renewal and Balance

Harness the energy of the equinox with simple but powerful rituals:

• Sunrise Meditation – Greet the dawn with gratitude, breathing in the fresh energy of the new season.

• Egg Blessing Spell – Write intentions on an egg and bury it in your garden as an offering for growth and success.

• Equinox Balance Ritual – Light two candles (one dark, one light) and meditate on what you need to bring into harmony in your life.

  

  
  

3. Family-Friendly Ostara Activities

Ostara is an excellent time to celebrate with loved ones through fun and meaningful traditions:

• Egg Decorating – Paint eggs with symbols of prosperity and renewal.

• Nature Walks – Collect flowers, listen to birds, and observe the earth awakening.

• Garden Blessing – Plant new herbs or flowers, infusing them with your magical intentions.

• Spring Cleaning with a Magical Twist – Clear out old energy by cleansing your home with a homemade herbal spray. For example, combine water with a few drops of lemon essential oil (for cleansing), rosemary (for purification), and lavender (for peace). You can also use vinegar or witch hazel as a base.

  

  A nature walk with friends is a great way to welcome the spring!

4. Simple Spellwork and Intention Setting

Ostara is perfect for spells focused on growth, fertility, creativity, and fresh starts. Try:

• A Seed Planting Spell: Whisper an intention into a seed before planting it in soil, symbolizing its manifestation.

• Abundance Jar Spell: Fill a jar with rice, cinnamon, and a few coins, charging it for prosperity.

• Spring Renewal Bath: (For those who prefer showers, use a sachet!) Infuse water with chamomile, lavender, and rosemary for purification and new beginnings.

  
  

5. Offerings to Deities of Spring and Fertility

If you work with deities, consider making offerings to those associated with renewal and fertility, such as:

• Eostre/Ostara – Fresh flowers, honey, or eggs.

• Freya – Milk, mead, or spring blossoms.

• Persephone – Pomegranate seeds or daffodils.

• Cernunnos – Acorns, seeds, or representations of wildlife.

• Gaia – An offering of water or planting a tree in her honor.

Ostara Correspondences

Ostara is rich with symbolism, and incorporating these correspondences into your rituals, spells, and celebrations can help align your energy with the season of renewal.

• Colors – pastel green (growth), yellow (joy), and pink (love)

• Crystals – rose quartz (compassion), citrine (abundance), and moss agate (growth)

• Herbs – lavender (peace), rosemary (clarity), chamomile (healing), mint (prosperity), and dandelion (wishes)

• Foods – egg dishes (fertility), spring greens (renewal), honey cakes (sweet blessings), dairy (nourishment) and seasonal fruit (fresh energy)

• Animals – rabbits (fertility), birds (new beginnings), and butterflies (transformation)

• Elements – Air (fresh ideas), Earth (growth and stability)

Embracing the Magic of Spring

For me, Ostara is a time to reconnect with the earth after a long winter. I love to spend time in my garden, planting seeds and watching new life emerge.

Ostara is a time to celebrate balance, fertility, and the joyful return of life to the earth. Whether you honor this sabbat through ritual, spellwork, or simply by taking a mindful walk in nature, the essence of Ostara is about embracing new beginnings and stepping into a season of growth.

As the Wheel of the Year turns, how will you welcome the magic of spring into your life? Share your Ostara traditions and experiences in the comments below!

---

Blessed Ostara! 🌿🐇🌸