Wheel of the Year: Ostara
On the first Sunday following the first full moon of spring, Christians the world over celebrate the death and resurrection of their deity, Jesus Christ. Christians call this celebration of life and death- Easter. Common customs practiced in celebrating the Christian holiday include decorative baskets, treat gifting, bunnies, chicks, and brightly-colored eggs. Undoubtedly, there exists a dominant belief that modern-day Easter celebration and its traditions are rooted in Christianity. However in truth, Easter’s iconic symbolism (including the holiday name itself) is not of Christian origin. In actuality, modern-day Easter is a direct manifestation that stems from the major Pagan holiday honoring spring, fertility, and dawn. For Pagans, this day of observance carries a number of different names including: Alban Eilir, Eostre, Ostara and of course Easter.
In the likes of Imbolc, Ostara also celebrates spring and the end of winter (as well as fertility and dawn). However more specifically, Ostara is a festival that takes place during the vernal equinox, when light and dark are in perfect balance. Astrologically, this happens when the Wheel of the Year turns to zero degrees Aries and marks the beginning of the “Light half” of the year.
The name, Ostara was derived from the Germanic deity that went by a few other designations including: Astara, Eostre and Easter (depending upon the geographical location). Ostara (Easter) is known as the Goddess of the “Radiant Dawn.” Her annual return was traditionally celebrated with singing, bell ringing and the burning of fires at dawn to welcome the spring and renewed fertility. Goddess Ostara was often depicted as a very beautiful and young maiden with adorning flowers in her flowing hair.
One may then wonder how “rabbits” came to be one of the most iconic symbols of Easter? Uncommonly known to many, Goddess Ostara (Easter) was most often portrayed in the company of her consort. The deity’s consort was often represented in one of two variations: a bunny she cradled in her arms or a life-size human male with the form of a rabbit. Regardless of the embodiment in which Ostara’s consort appeared, she was invariably depicted as bearing “eggs” symbolizing fertility and new life. For centuries, eggs have been used in rituals and magickal rites and the celebration of Ostara is no different.
In ancient Pagan tradition, magickal symbols were drawn on eggs using beeswax before being dipped in colored-dyes. The colored eggs were then either presented as gifts or they were hidden about for an Easter hunt! Amongst those who participated in the Easter egg hunt, the participant that gathered the most eggs or the one who found the “special egg” would expect all their wishes to be fulfilled throughout the coming year. The archetypal symbolism of Easter tradition including: the “egg-gifting rabbit,” baby chicks, bright-colored eggs and early-blooming spring flowers can all be easily understood. Each of these icons represent fertility, the magick of renewed life and for Christianity- the Resurrection.
Although Celtic Pagans considered Samhain (Halloween) to be the most sacred holiday, Scandinavian Pagans considered their most sacred holiday to be Easter. Still today in contemporary times, much of their traditional celebrations have continued, with children dressing up as Easter “hags” parading in costume from door to door in search of Easter treats! Within the Wicca religion, modern-day Wiccans (and Witches) too celebrate Ostara much as our ancestors did. We light sacred fires at dawn, we host elaborate feasts, we dye colorful eggs, we hide treats for the hunt and we work magickal spells to create balance and harmony on earth. As Wiccans we honor the Goddess so She and the Young God bring forth new life as the Dance of creation continues.
– The Goddess Kingdom© 2024
