Ostara is a Pagan holiday that celebrates the spring equinox, new beginnings and rebirth within nature.

The word Ostara comes from the Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre, who was associated with spring and new beginnings 

The holiday was originally celebrated by pagan peoples in Europe, including the Celts, Saxons, and Norse 

The word Easter comes from the German word Ostern, which is derived from Eostre or Ostara.

In folklore, Ostara, the Germanic goddess of spring, is associated with rabbits because she is said to have transformed a bird into a hare. The hare then laid eggs for Ostara, which may have inspired the Easter egg tradition. 

The association between Ostara and the Easter Bunny may have begun with the 8th-century scholar Bede. Bede said that the word "Easter" comes from "Eostre". 

Rabbits and hares were also associated with fertility in medieval Europe. The March hare was seen as a sign of spring because it was in mating season during that month. 

Celebration Ideas:

-Decorating eggs

-Planting something, like wildflower seeds

-Creating an Ostara altar

-Going for a sunrise walk

-Meditating on balance

-Feasting

-Bonfires 

-Symbols include spring flowers, fairies, butterflies, rabbits, and eggs

-Colors include pastels, yellow, orange, lavender, and green

Consider using pastel colors, baskets, greenery, spring flowers, soil, honey, or eggs. Incorporate animal figures such as ladybugs, bunnies, chicks, butterfly, caterpillars, frogs, bees, etc....

Ostara is typically celebrated on March 20 in the Northern Hemisphere, but the exact moment of the equinox varies from year to year.

We offer a variety of altar supplies and decor to add to your Ostara altars in our Seasonal section. We wish you all a beautiful Spring Equinox!

Tara, Peter & Staff