Easter and Ostara Symbol

Ostara

The Sabbats

Spring Eostre Rituals

"Every planetary alignment holds an opportunity for growth and expanded awareness, and contains symbolism that can be universally shared and understood. By meditating on current planetary themes, we can tune in to the archetypal energy inherent therein, gaining a deeper understanding of our own personal myth, integrating the planetary energies experientially through personalized ritual."

Welcome Spring!  This Equinox is a sacred holiday that signals the blossoming of spring's return; today the hours of daylight and nightfall are equal, bringing the opportunity to balance the solar (projecting) and lunar (receptive) natures within us, harmonizing our inner and outer realities as well. This is when you can bless the seeds you'll be planting in your garden, performing rites of fertility and abundance for the upcoming season of growth and renewal.

Named for the ancient Anglo-Saxon goddess who presided over fertility, Eostre, this holiday  symbolises balance, and the birth of all nature. The egg was used as a symbol for Ostara, as it  represents the birth of the Goddess as Persephone, returning from the Underworld to join her mother Demeter once again, playing in the fields together as they bring fertility and growth to the land once more. This holiday honors the playful child within, and is a good timne to honor the body and its ability to regenerate itself as well.

We are now in the "First Quarter" phase of the year, when the projects initiated around the Winter Solstice are taking form. This is when new patterns are established into their environment, and action must be taken to make sure the patterns are fully integrated. The soil is prepared, and the planting season will soon be in full bloom!

The astrological charts of the Solstices and Equinoxes have been read by astrologers since ancient times for news of the upcoming season, especially as it pertains to the well-being of nations, their leaders, and the condition of the people. Ingress charts (as they are called) are drawn for the exact moment the Sun enters one of the four cardinal signs: Capricorn, Aries, Cancer and Libra (Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn). Cardinal energy is initiating, and an excellent time for magickal workings, as practitioners of earth spirituality have known for a long, long time.

Spring Equinox Herbal Lore:
Celandine:  Good spirits, joy
Cinquefoil:  Ritual bath; eloquence, protection and purification.
Dandelion:  Divination, wishes, psychic ability.
Dogwood:  4 petals symbolize the 4 sacred directions.
Iris:  Purity, wisdom, faith; baby blessing; symbol of life and resurrection.
Honeysuckle:  Rebirth, renewal, spiritual sight; agile or versatile mind.
Jasmine:  Lunar, for psychic opening; spiritual love; use oil to anoint candles; ritual cup.
Lily:  Srong associations with fertility godesses; white: purity, rebirth.
Rose:  Represents true love and joy; use yellow roses on the altar for Ostara.
Tansy:  Women's mysteries, immortality, health, longevity, love.

These herbs can be utilized in ritual by making an incense, or anointing candles with essential oil. They can be sewn into a charm bag and consecrated (dedicated to a single purpose), and worn or carried when needed.

Ritual Bath:
Cinquefoil, Jasmine flowers, Honeysuckle and Rose petals.  Place any or all herbs in cheesecloth and tie well; run under tap.  You can also make a strong tea from the herbs, strain and pour into the bath.

Candles:
Light silver or white candles anointed with jasmine oil to represent the Maiden aspect of the Goddess. Imagine yourself reborn anew, as dewey and fresh as Persephone, flowers blooming wherever she steps. Bathe yourself in the herbs and the springtime energy, clearing away anything that no longer needs to go with you. After your bath, bring your candles with you to the circle, and place them on or around your altar.

The Altar:
Place the altar in the East, the quarter of springtime and the dawn. Decorate your altar and home with an abundance of spring flowers, especially yellow ones: crocuses, daffodils, violets, lilac, lilies, yellow roses, iris.

Use the silver altar candles, and green candles to represent the growing flora. The altar cloth can be yellow, white or spring green. Flower seeds can be placed upon the altar as well, to be charged with magical intent before planting.

You will need three candles: red, pink and orange, and several small pieces of paper to write your ritual intention; flower or herb seeds.

Ritual:
Cast the circle, call in the quarters, and call upon a Maiden Goddess, if you choose, or just imagine your circle infused with the freshness of springtime. Prepare incense.

Incense:
Sandalwood, rose petals, jasmine flowers, powdered orris root, cinquefoil, tansy

Oils:
Lilac, sandalwood or rose.

Bring any or all of the above ingredients into your ritual circle and add each ingredient one at a time, while grinding by hand with a mortar and pestle and focusing on the properties of each herb as it is added. Consecrate your incense by dedicating it to the maiden aspect of the triple goddess, and once the incense is prepared, burn some on a charcoal as you focus in on your goal.

Candles:
The red candle represents the Sun entering Aries, the beginning of spring, and
the element of fire. Write down what new projects you will initiate now, and place the slip of paper under the candle. Light your candle as you say your goal aloud, and mediate in its meaning.

Repeat with the following:

The pink candle represents the Moon/Venus sextile: how can you bring more energy and excitement to your relationships or creative endeavors? Write your intentions down on a small piece of paper and place this slip of paper underneath the candle; anoint the candle with a Venusian oil [see appendices], and focus on your intent as you light your candle.

The orange candle represents the Moon/ Juno trine in fire signs; what changes do you want to give energy to, especially regarding partnerships and relationships, now in the season of sowing seeds? How to spiritualize our relationships more each day?
Create an affirmation to support your intent.
Write down your goals and repeat the process as before.

When you feel the ritual is complete, thank the Maiden Goddess, and burn each paper as you focus once again on the intention of the goal, releasing the energy to the wind and elemental helpers.

Thank the nature spirits, Deities or elementals, and close your circle, allowing the candles to burn all the way down, or instead, burn them for a little while for the next several days, symbolizing the waxing energies.
From "Magical Astrology Guide 2002" -- 2001 Sarolta DeFaltay-Bell.

Spring Equinox/Ostara/Eostre

A Lesser Sabbat and a Sun Quarter Day

Northern Hemisphere March 21st

Southern Hemisphere September 21st

Seasonal Relevancy

Spring has arrived and there’s an equal balance of light and dark. The flowers are all blooming again, the birds are nesting and getting ready for their young and all around, new life is bursting forth in a new generation of animals and plants.  

Mythological Relevancy

This Sabbat is named after the Saxon Goddess Ostara and this festival specifically marks an equal balance between male and female energies which coincides perfectly with the fact that the days and nights are of equal length. Thus there is spiritual balance in all things. The young Oak King, who’s grown to a young man, now courts the maiden Goddess.  

Popular Traditions

Eggs are symbolic of new life and Wiccans use painted eggs to celebrate the wonderful eruption of new life all around them. Throw hard boiled, painted eggs high into the sky and as you do make a wish for the summer months ahead. The higher the egg goes, the more likely your wish will come true. Bury the fallen eggs to cement your wish. Bake and eat Hot Cross Buns marked with an equilateral cross to symbolise all things equal. 

A Contemporary Spring Equinox- Ostara Ritual

Hold the ritual in a park or open garden area. Decorate the altar with bright yellow daffodils and other spring flowers. Mark the perimeter of the circle with spring flowers.

On the altar have:

Yellow card cut into the shape of big sunflowers with petal sections that can eventually fold up so that the flower shape becomes a bowl (1 sunflower for each person present).

A pen for each person to use.

A pot of parrot or bird seed.

Cast the circle as normal if there are no visitors present, otherwise, omit the circle casting.

The ritual leader says to the group; “The Spring Equinox is a both a time of balance and a time of renewal. It is a time of balance because this event marks one of two points in the year when the days are the same length as the nights. Thus there is balance in light and darkness”.

“It is also a time of renewal and rebirth as Spring provides the warmth and light for new plants to grow, for young animals to grow healthy and fit, and for life to blossom around us. So as the caretakers of our precious planet and as the architects of our own life balance and renewal, we can use this time to refocus on those things that are important to us.”

Give each person a sunflower card and a pen saying; “Each of you now have before you a symbolic sunflower, one of the flowers that erupts at this time of year and grows toward full bloom in the Summer. Take a few moments now to consider what parts of your life are out of balance. Are you spending too much time and too much effort on one part of your life at the expense of other, equally or more important parts? Are you spending too much time on things and not on people? Do you use one set of behaviours instead of spreading your wings and trying better ways to cope? Are you ignoring parts of your life, parts of who you are when you should be balancing your life and being a whole person?”

“When you are ready, take your pen and write in the centre of your sunflower one way you will rebalance your life. Write down one behaviour or one aspect of your life you will change to bring your life back into balance”.

“Now take your sunflower and bend the petals up so that you form a bowl with your committed behaviour change written inside”.

When all participants have done this, have someone take the pot of bird seed and pour some seed into each of the sunflower bowls. The ritual leader then says; “Your commitments to rebalance your lives are now nestled beneath seed, which is the icon of new life, of rebirth and of renewal. Please take your sunflower bowls home. Each bowl signifies both life balance and rebirth. At home, place your bowl out in the garden to feed the local birds and to give to the Earth your commitment to rebalance your life.”

Consecrate and then have the cakes and ale, then close the circle. Follow up with a feast. 

Ostara Ritual

Spreading the Energy of Spring

Supplies:

-basket

Any and all combinations of items below:
- fresh leaves, green grass, or other green plant matter (dry)
- fresh flowers
- hard-boiled eggs (colored or not)
- bottle of milk
- colorful ribbons
- stuffed animal or rabbit or other spring-time creature

Preparation:
Cleanse yourself and your space as you ready for ritual. Set up your altar in spring decor, foliage, pastels, flowers, eggs, animal statues, or any other decoration you may have. Place the empty basket in the center of your altar. Set out all your other supplies around your basket. Set your pen and paper near you so you can reach it.

Basket of Eostre

Stand before your altar and take a deep breath. If possible, have a window open to have the fresh spring air. Imagine the goddess, Eostre, the goddess of spring and the namesake for the holiday of Easter. She is a deity of renewal and rebirth. Visualize her in the new spring landscape, surrounded by her creatures of growth. Her energy spreads through the land, awakening the sleeping plants. Surrounded by green and flowers, she warms every heart that comes upon her. Hold this visualization as you continue.

Before your altar, hold out your hands and think of all the things that spring brings. The items before you represent these things. Hold your hands towards them, palms facing them, and close your eyes. Hold your visualization of Eostre and remember all the animals, plants, and blessings of spring. Imagine all of this spring energy forming into a cloud just above your altar. It is the bright green of growth. Hold this visualization and say,

"Blessing of Eostre,
Blessing of green,
Blessing of new growth,
Blessing of Spring.

May we be renewed,
As we help to renew others,
Fulfill this awakening,
With the joy of the season!"

Say your private prayers after the above. When you are done, imagine the cloud above your altar slowly sinking and infusing the objects on your altar with its energy. It is calm, happy, and warm energy that brightens its surroundings.

"With the goddess' gift,
May we spread her mirth!

Blessings of Eostre,
Be with us!"

Pile up all of the objects into the basket. Go outside. If you have a backyard go there, if not go about your neighborhood. Sprinkle the fresh flowers/grasses by your front door. As you do so say,

"Blessing of Eostre to you."

As you walk by a tree or shrub, get a strip of ribbon and tie it around a branch. As you do so say "Blessing of Eostre to you."

If you have hard boiled eggs, bury them at the foot of trees, bushes, or flowers. Add the blessing, "Blessing of Eostre to you."

If you have a bottle of milk, give some to your animals (not too much) and pour the rest onto the earth. Add the blessing, "Blessing of Eostre to you."

If you have the stuffed animal give it willingly to your children, niece, nephew, or grandchild. Add the blessing, "Blessing of Eostre to you."

With the items of spring out in the world, they radiate the warm and joyful energy of the goddess Eostre. Let fresh air into your home whenever possible and let natural light flood your home. Blessings on this Ostara!

Ostara

Easter : History and Traditions

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Easter History : Christian and Pagan Traditions Interwoven
The history of Easter reveals rich associations between the Christian faith and the seemingly unrelated practices of the early pagan religions. Easter history and traditions that we practice today evolved from pagan symbols, from the ancient goddess Ishtar to Easter eggs and the Easter bunny.

Easter, perhaps the most important of the Christian holidays, celebrates the Christ's resurrection from the dead following his death on Good Friday. . . a rebirth that is commemorated around the vernal equinox, historically a time of pagan celebration that coincides with the arrival of spring and symbolizes the arrival of light and the awakening of life around us.

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Ostara, Goddess of Spring and the Dawn (Oestre / Eastre)Easter is named for a Saxon goddess who was known by the names of Oestre or Eastre, and in Germany by the name of Ostara. She is a goddess of the dawn and the spring, and her name derives from words for dawn, the shining light arising from the east. Our words for the "female hormone" estrogen derives from her name.

Ostara was, of course, a fertility goddess. Bringing in the end of winter, with the days brighter and growing longer after the vernal equinox, Ostara had a passion for new life. Her presence was felt in the flowering of plants and the birth of babies, both animal and human. The rabbit (well known for its propensity for rapid reproduction) was her sacred animal.

Easter eggs and the Easter Bunny both featured in the spring festivals of Ostara, which were initially held during the feasts of the goddess Ishtar | Inanna. Eggs are an obvious symbol of fertility, and the newborn chicks an adorable representation of new growth. Brightly colored eggs, chicks, and bunnies were all used at festival time to express appreciation for Ostara's gift of abundance.

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History of Easter Eggs and Easter Candy

The history of Easter Eggs as a symbol of new life should come as no surprise. The notion that the Earth itself was hatched from an egg was once widespread and appears in creation stories ranging from Asian to Ireland.

Eggs, in ancient times in Northern Europe, were a potent symbol of fertility and often used in rituals to guarantee a woman's ability to bear children. To this day rural "grannywomen" (lay midwives/healers in the Appalachian mountains) still use eggs to predict, with uncanny accuracy, the sex of an unborn child by watching the rotation of an egg as it is suspended by a string over the abdomen of a pregnant woman.

Dyed eggs are given as gifts in many cultures. Decorated eggs bring with them a wish for the prosperity of the abundance during the coming year.

Folklore suggests that Easter egg hunts arose in Europe during "the Burning Times", when the rise of Christianity led to the shunning (and persecution) of the followers of the "Old Religion". Instead of giving the eggs as gifts the adults made a game of hiding them, gathering the children together and encouraging them to find the eggs.

Some believe that the authorities seeking to find the "heathens" would follow or bribe the children to reveal where they found the eggs so that the property owner could be brought to justice.

Green Eggs . . .
                           . . . and Ham???

The meat that is traditionally associated with Easter is ham. Though some might argue that ham is served at Easter since it is a "Christian" meat, (prohibited for others by the religious laws of Judaism and Islam) the origin probably lies in the early practices of the pagans of Northern Europe.

Having slaughtered and preserved the meat of their agricultural animals during the Blood Moon celebrations the previous autumn so they would have food throughout the winter months, they would celebrate the occasion by using up the last of the remaining cured meats.

In anticipation that the arrival of spring with its emerging plants and wildlife would provide them with fresh food in abundance, it was customary for many pagans to begin fasting at the time of the vernal equinox, clearing the "poisons" (and excess weight) produced by the heavier winter meals that had been stored in their bodies over the winter. Some have suggested that the purpose of this fasting may have been to create a sought-after state of "altered consciousness" in time for the spring festivals. One cannot but wonder if this practice of fasting might have been a forerunner of "giving up" foods during the Lenten season.Chocolate Easter bunnies and eggs, marshmallow chicks in pastel colors, and candy of all sorts, most of which are given out as personalized gifts during Easter . . . these have pagan origins as well! To understand their association with religion we need to examine the meaning of food as a symbol.

The ancient belief that, by eating something we take on its characteristics formed the basis for the earliest "blessings" before meals (a way to honor the life that had been sacrificed so that we as humans could enjoy life) and, presumably, for the more recent Christian sacrament of communion as well.

Shaping candy Easter eggs and bunnies to celebrate the spring festival was, simply put, a way to celebrate the symbols of the goddess and the season, while laying claim to their strengths (vitality, growth, and fertility) for ourselves.

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The Goddess Ostara and the Easter Bunny 

Feeling guilty about arriving late one spring, the Goddess Ostara saved the life of a poor bird whose wings had been frozen by the snow. She made him her pet or, as some versions have it, her lover. Filled with compassion for him since he could no longer fly (in some versions, it was because she wished to amuse a group of young children), Ostara turned him into a snow hare and gave him the gift of being able to run with incredible speed so he could protect himself from hunters.

In remembrance of his earlier form as a bird, she also gave him the ability to lay eggs (in all the colors of the rainbow, no less), but only on one day out of each year.

Eventually the hare managed to anger the goddess Ostara, and she cast him into the skies where he would remain as the constellation Lepus (The Hare) forever positioned under the feet of the constellation Orion (the Hunter). He was allowed to return to earth once each year, but only to give away his eggs to the children attending the Ostara festivals that were held each spring. The tradition of the Easter Bunny had begun.

The Hare was sacred in many ancient traditions and was associated with the moon goddesses and the various deities of the hunt. In ancient times eating the Hare was prohibited except at Beltane (Celts) and the festival of Ostara (Anglo-Saxons), when a ritual hare-hunt would take place.

In many cultures rabbits, like eggs, were considered to be potent remedies for fertility problems. The ancient philosopher-physician Pliny the Elder prescribed rabbit meat as a cure for female sterility, and in some cultures the genitals of a hare were carried to avert barrenness.

Medieval Christians considered the hare to bring bad fortune, saying witches changed into rabbits in order to suck the cows dry. It was claimed that a witch could only be killed by a silver crucifix or a bullet when she appeared as a hare.

Given their "mad" leaping and boxing displays during mating season as well as their ability to produce up to 42 offspring each spring, it is understandable that they came to represent lust, sexuality, and excess in general. Medieval Christians considered the hare to be an evil omen, believing that witches changed into rabbits in order to suck the cows dry. It was claimed that a witch could only be killed by a silver crucifix or a bullet when she appeared as a hare.

In later Christian tradition the white Hare, when depicted at the Virgin Mary's feet, represents triumph over lust or the flesh. The rabbit's vigilance and speed came to represent the need to flee from sin and temptation and a reminder of the swift passage of life.

And, finally, there is a sweet Christian legend about a young rabbit who, for three days, waited anxiously for his friend, Jesus, to return to the Garden of Gethsemane, not knowing what had become of him. Early on Easter morning, Jesus returned to His favorite garden and was welcomed the little rabbit. That evening when the disciples came into the garden to pray, still unaware of the resurrection, they found a clump of beautiful larkspurs, each blossom bearing the image of a rabbit in its center as a remembrance of the little creature's hope and faith.

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Ishtar, Goddess of Love, and the First Resurrection (also known as Inanna)

Ishtar, goddess of romance, procreation, and war in ancient Babylon, was also worshiped as the Sumerian goddess Inanna. One of the great goddesses, or "mother goddesses", the stories of her descent to the Underworld and the resurrection that follows are contained in the oldest writings that have ever been discovered. . . the Babylonian creation myth Enuma Elish and the story of Gilgamesh. Scholars believed that they were based on the oral mythology of the region and were recorded about 2,100 B.C.E.

The most famous of the myths of Ishtar tell of her descent into the realm of the dead to rescue her young lover, Tammuz, a Vegetation god forced to live half the year in the Underworld. Ishtar approached the gates of the Underworld, which was ruled by her twin sister Eresh-kigel, the goddess of death and infertility. She was refused admission.

Similar to the Greek myths of Demeter and Persephone that came later, during Ishtar's absence the earth grew barren since all acts of procreation ceased while she was away. Ishtar screamed and ranted that she would break down the gates and release all of the dead to overwhelm the world and compete with the living for the remaining food unless she was allowed to enter and plead her case with her twin.

Needless to say, she won admission. But the guard, following standard protocol, refused to let her pass through the first gate unless she removed her crown. At the next gate, she had to remove her earrings, then her necklace at the next, removing her garments and proud finery until she stood humbled and naked after passing through the seventh (and last) gate.

In one version, she was held captive and died but was brought back to life when her servant sprinkled her with the "water of life". In the more widely known version of the myth, Ishtar's request was granted and she regained all of her attire and possessions as she slowly re-emerged through the gates of darkness.

Upon her return, Tammuz and the earth returned to life. Annual celebrations of this "Day of Joy", were held each year around the time of the vernal equinox. These celebrations became the forerunners of the Ostara festivals that welcomed Oestre and the arrival of spring.

A section on the Goddess Inanna (the Sumerian version of the Goddess Ishtar), her myths and symbols, is included with the myths of the goddesses at this website.

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Easter eggs, the Easter Bunny, the dawn that arrives with resurrection of life, and the celebration of spring all serve to remind us of the cycle of rebirth and the need for renewal in our lives. In the history of Easter, Christian and pagan traditions are gracefully interwoven.

http://www.goddessgift.com/pandora%27s_box/easter-history.html