Celebrate Ostara: Spring Equinox

Ostara comes in between Beltane and Imbolc. It is one of the spring festivals that celebrate the wheel of the year. Ostara is about celebrating balance between different seasons. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is the starting of spring.
It is also known as Spring Equinox, which is a moment when the dark and the light are in a balance. Although Ostara usually is celebrated on the 20th of March every year, the exact moment that the Spring Equinox occurs varies each year. This is because there is a misalignment between the actual rate at which the Earth rotates around the sun and the Gregorian calendar. Moreover, the Equinox occurs during different times, depending on where one lives on Earth.
Typically, the date when Ostara occurs is anywhere from the 19th – 21st March. The Spring Equinox is a holiday which is not just celebrated by pagans, but many other religions throughout the world such as Shia Muslims.

According to Wiccan mythology, it’s believed that the growth of daylight is evidence of God moving towards maturity from infancy. Similarly, the Earth experiences more fertility and warmth, which is symbolized by the Goddess taking full power. As the flowers start to blossom and emerge from the shrubs and trees, and as bees start the pollination cycle, it symbolizes the promise of a warmer, a greener, and of more abundance.
Ostara is the promise of green grass and the world waking up from its winter slumber. The Spring Equinox is the time of wonder and innocence. It announces the ending of winter and the time when people can head to the outdoors in search of bounty. Ostara is about the balance between energies and not just heat and passion. The Wiccan holiday is celebrated in several ways, depending on which traditions one follows.

Ceremonies and Rituals

Ostara can be celebrated in many ways depending on the particular tradition followed. Generally, the Spring Equinox is observed by accepting spring is on the horizon, and the land is becoming fertile for agriculture. You learn how to welcome the new season by seeing the agricultural changes like the ground finally becoming warm and plants emerging. Some of the rituals that are practiced by Wiccans are mentioned below. You can either practice them on your own or together with a small group of people.

• Preparing the Ostara Altar: One of the first things that Wiccans do is that they set up an Ostara altar to welcome the season changing.
• Solo Ritual: The simple ritual of praying and blessings can be practiced on your own.
• Rebirthing Ceremony: The ritual focuses on rebirth and the renewal of rite.
  Meditation: Through meditation and focusing on the Earth warming up, one can celebrate Ostara.

Ostara Magic

Magic is in full swing during spring. It is the perfect time to use Spring magic to focus on growth and rebirth. There are various Ostara magic traditions, such as the use of magical spring flowers, egg magic, and daffodil magic, depending on what you are looking for.