Ostara

Our Lady of the Prairie Coven celebrates Ostara on or near the vernal equinox, which falls in March, around the 20-22. Traditionally among the pagan folk of Europe, the vernal equinox was celebrated as Lady Day, or the full moon following the equinox was celebrated as Eostre. Eostre is one of the names for the Tuetonic Goddess of Spring (She is also Ostara, Eostar). She is the Maiden, and the Hare or rabbit is sacred to Her. Eggs are also associated with Her, often dyed red as a symbol of fertility and rebirth.

There are many things one can do to get in touch with Spring and Ostara. Now is the time to re-acquaint yourself with your garden, clearing off debris, checking for new growth. Perhaps it is even warm enough in your part of the world to begin planting. If not, perhaps now is the time to till. Bury a dyed egg in your garden to ensure fertility.

If you aren't able to have a garden, take a walk in your neighborhood or a local park. Observe the new growth, the wakening animals. Some parks and observatories welcome volunteers as they get ready for their Spring and Easter shows. Offer to help plant and re-pot the new spring plants.

Spring is one of the most crucial times for our feathered friends, as food is not plentiful at this time. Don't forget to fill your birdfeeders, or start one if you don't have one. Remember to put out suet for the bug-eaters.

The Christian holy day Easter is named for our Spring Goddess, and is it suprising that rabbits and colored eggs also found their place on that day. Within our tradition, OLP members often color eggs, inscribing sacred symbols on them. We then hold a 'hunt', searching for the egg meant for us. Then in ritual, we have an 'egg divination', and the creator of each egg describes the meaning of the symbols and colors on the egg to the person who found it. We often find ourselves led to the egg that has the blessings that we need at this time of our lives.

There are many wonderful sources on the Web for more information about the Vernal Equinox and Ostara. If you would like to know more, follow the links below.

Ostara Egg Symbolism Learn some meanings of symbols used in Ukranian egg dying, and adapt them for use in your own sacred egg dying this Ostara!