Ostara
Ēostre, The Spring or Vernal Equinox, Te Wha O Mahuru, Sakura Hajimete Saku and The Light of the Earth.
Ostara heralds the Spring.
Fertile, warmer, longer days are here. One of the eight Sabbats in the Pagan Wheel of the Year, Ostara is thought of as a solar or sun festival. An alternative name honors "Ēostre" the “Goddess of the Dawn”. Her name most probably being derived from old Germanic for “East” and symbolizing the quarter-point or 3 o’clock (Yule being at 12), and direction of the rising sun.
Ostara is also the Spring Equinox (23rd September 2023 @ 18:50 NZST) marking equal day light and night time. “Equinox” being from the Latin “aequus nox,” or of “equal night.” “Vernal” simply comes from the Latin “vernalis.” “Ver” being the word for Spring, also meaning “fresh or new”. The terms are essentially the same, however using Vernal I guess could make you sound more learned.
No Einstein (or should that be Hipparchus?) like brain is needed to recognise both “Ostara” and “Ēostre” sound a hell of a lot like “Easter.” Yes, yet another Pagan festival plagiarised by Christianity to stamp out and erase it’s nature based origin of millennia to a man made one of a few thousand years. Yet Easter, somewhat amusingly, is the only remaining festival Christians observe where the date is still determined and shifted by the moon, being the weekend of the first full moon following the equinox. A true seasonal Easter (Good) Friday would be celebrated on the 29th of September for us in Aotearoa, New Zealand this year.
“Alban Eiler” is the name gifted to the Spring Equinox in Druidry, meaning “The Light of the Earth”. Druids respectfully believe all the world is sacred. Even the areas of sun blistered asphalt car park or the likes, as beneath the damage from humans is part of our great planet, the living Earth. Interacting and acknowledging the living world, being open to learn and grow with it, is thought to be the Druid’s purpose in the world. In much the same way a monk devotes their life’s purpose to a higher being or enlightenment, this sacred practise is believed to be an incredibly powerful gift that takes a lifetime of exploration to truly understand and realise.
It is in this connection with the Earth that drives my motivation in celebrating the seasons. Much of the understanding of Pagan Sabbats, originally nature based festivals has been destroyed and/or emptied of true meaningful celebration. Obviously by Western consumerism, where it’s invasive roots stem from Christianity, colonialism and the agricultural and industrial systems they brought with them. If we are to observe indigenous cultures and embrace a similar relationship with the land and water - slow down and regain the love and respect for nature we once had - we will heal the Earth and in turn have something truly worth celebrating.
Te Wha O Mahuru
The earth has now acquired warmth and today begins the season of “Mahuru” being the first New Moon of Spring, or the first New Moon of the 4th month of Maramataka (Māori Lunar Calendar). Mahuru often is mistaken for September or even used for Spring, but September is “Hepetema.” Mahuru is also the Māori name for “Alphard” the brightest star in the constellation of Hydra which appears around this time. Yet some Māori believe the arrival of Aotahi (Canopus) is the true start of Spring, together with the blossoms of our native Kōwhai, Rangiora and Kotukutuku trees.
The light Spring rains are known as “ua kōwhai” or “kōwhai blossom rains.”
“I whea koe i te matikaotanga o te kōwhai?” ("Where were you when the kōwhai was in bud?") Perhaps the local proverbial saying akin to the story of “The Little Red Hen” in… “Where were you when the work and preparation for the growing season needed to be done.”
“Te Kōanga” means the Spring; the digging and planting time; “kō” being to dig; “koanga” without the tohutō (macron) means something that brings joy.
In te ao Māori pūrākau (mythology) "Rongomatane" ( Rongo) is the atua / god of cultivated plants, namely kūmara (sweet potato), a vital crop especially for Te Ika-a-Māui (North Island) Māori iwi (tribes). Because of their tropical origin, kūmara are typically difficult (but not impossible) to grow except in the far north of the country. The legend of how kūmara arrived in Aotearoa (New Zealand) varies slightly between iwi. One begins with “Rongo-maui” the husband of “Pani-Tinaku” (the goddess of germination) and his older brother the whetū “Whanui” (the star Vega). When Pani-Tinaku’s whānau (family) taunt Rongo-maui with his failure to go fishing and provide food for his family, he feels shamed by their accusation and decides to ascend to the sky to ask his tuakana (older brother) Whanui, and guardian of the celestial kūmara for some of his tubers. When Whanui refuses Rongo-maui hides until he see’s his chance to steal the kūmara and brings them back to Earth. Rongo-maui then gifts the seed to his wife Pani-tinaku, who gives birth to the kūmara in the waters.
This time also marks the return of Pīpīwharauora (Shining Cuckoo) from their mythical Polynesian Winter home of “Hawaiki”. Some have associated Hawaiki with the Tahitian island of Ra'iātea / “Rangiātea” and therefore can be seen as both a physical and spiritual place.
Mono no aware (物の哀れ)
Having empathy towards things; “Mono no aware” (物の哀れ) is a Japanese idiom from Buddhism influence for the awareness of impermanence and constant change. While not uniquely tied to Spring, or the equinox or indeed even the natural world, this idea and that of the ancient Japanese almanac of 72 microseasons has recently captured my heart and rekindled my passion for Japanese flora all the more. In Japan poignant and fleetingly small seasonal moments are celebrated intensely! In such a way that one can feel the full impact of the “delicate presence and loveliness of the fragile universe.”
While recognising the same four Western seasons of Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter; we know and love, the ancient Japanese almanac then divides each season into six, creating 24 sekki, dividing the solar year into equal parts of about fifteen days each, and then further into 72 microseasons of 5 days. These periods each have a unique descriptor that is particularly seasonal. I’ve been tracking them in my weekly “Hygge Highlights” however you can find a list here.
The 72 microseasons were determined using the hybrid time keeping method of the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar. By observing both the Moon’s daily orbit around the Earth, and the Earth’s 365 day orbit around the Sun. In turn (sorry!) each of the 24 sekki points match up with a particular astronomical event or some other seasonal phenomenon from which the description is formed.
Possibly the most renowned and adored Japanese microseason would be the 5 days of the 櫻始開 Sakura hajimete saku or “First cherry blossoms” March 26–30 in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the week for garden and (so I’ve heard) drinking parties. Everyone - newly weds, families with young infants, grandparents all flock to the avenues of Sakura blossoms to have their picture taken and immerse themselves in the blossom festivities.
Symbols associated with Ostara
Spring fever means most animals, humans included start to mate again. This is particularly obvious with hares and rabbits, indeed all bunny kind are so exceptionally fertile that a poor doe can become pregnant with a second litter, before she has even given birth to her first one! Hence the most fertile of Sabbat festivals is most often associated with rabbits. The “March” hare has also long been a symbol of the moon, another symbol of the feminine. In some folklore the hare is said to die and resurrect every morning and night, just like our Marama moon. Hares are sacred to many fertility goddesses including Aphrodite, Freya and Unut. The Celtic Queen Boudica also took the hare as her totem.
Ostara embodies the young maiden, symbolising fertility, youth, innocence, passion and playfulness. Spring is when the maiden Goddess (be she Ēostre, Isis, Viviane - Lady of the Lake, Persephone?) meets her (reborn) consort in the form of Pan or the Horned God (or be he Adonis, Attis, Apollo, Osiris,..?) to name a few!
Eggs are the most literal symbol of fertility. They represent new life and are also considered very good luck in many cultures. With the increased daylight and warmth of Spring, hens lay more often and if you have been going without eggs most of winter the first egg of Spring is a most welcome sight. Of course it’s not only hens, ducks or bird eggs. Reptiles, frogs, lizards and snakes (no snakes here in Aotearoa, mind!) also come out of hibernation and begin to lay.
Blossoms, daffodils, crocuses, tulips, primroses, and violets…
Wearing green and greenery, the Green Man and his resurrection, the rebirth and greening of hope. In the essence of being inclusive that dude Jesus Christ with the virgin mother, his Palm Sunday greenery and resurrection. (Talk about copying someone else’s homework!)
Ostara seeds to sow
It’s time to sow the seeds for what you want to grow, whether or not you take this in the literal sense, a more spiritual, or creative sense. All things are Springing (sorry!) back into life, given extra warmth and light our vitality and energy increases too and with them the season of growth. Together with the lunar phases and growing energy onwards from today’s New Moon, it’s an invitation to plant new seeds in the garden and in our lives. Whether that is in setting new intentions, goals, or investing our energy into a new creative project.
Popular activities for Ostara often include “Spring Cleaning” rituals and whilst I do appreciate a clean space and the new energy that comes along with a tidy environment, cleaning hasn’t the celebratory or generosity feel to it that resonates with me. Currently I want to sow, create and share. Below are some ideas…
Create a new season mood board, or look book; either digitally or simply held with magnets on your fridge. Print out photos or tear from old home and gardening magazines, create small sketches, drawings and watercolours of your favourite seasonal Spring delights and verse.
Build a centerpiece or altar celebrating new life. You may like to include nests, eggs, feathers, baby birds, native birds, bunnies and/or fish. Small vases of Spring blooms and herbs.
Greet your visitors with a Spring themed swag, wreathe or another front door decoration. Colourful eggs, foraged nests and baby bird decorations can be tucked inside. Faded or broken umbrellas, or opshopped (thrifted) finds can be repurposed into a quirky fun Spring rain themed vessel to hold an arrangement.
Visit places of natural waters that are uniquely special to you - the sea, a lake, river, pond or natural spring. Watch the light reflections dancing, skim stones or collect a vial to use in your practise or add to a body of water in your garden or home to bring that energy in.
Visit a petting zoo, farm or park to admire baby animals, ducklings and fish.
Enjoy a Spring themed brunch, your usual breakfast or the first cuppa of the day outside.
Be in nature, whether at home or elsewhere, plant your feet, remove your shoes and feel the grass, the sand, or the forest floor.
Consider sending cards and greetings, or making up gifts now for family and friends. Ahead of time for December, or in lieu of December gifting if your family are willing and up for it. It will free up more time for you to enjoy early summer, and perhaps reduce the stress during the busyness (business) of the end of year and set your gifts and thoughtfulness apart.
Grow extra vegetable or flower seedlings, pot up volunteer self seeded plants for gifts. Create a garden hamper including small homegrown punnets ready for planting out, paying it forward with future harvests.
Perhaps pot up some dahlia tubers or Regale / Christmas (cough!) lilies for gifting once they are in bloom.
It seems more popular to paint and dye eggs to exchange overseas than here in Aotearoa, New Zealand, however I’d like to inspire you to take up the idea of playing and crafting with eggs. As well as decorating eggs, with paints and/or colouring them with wax patterns and natural dyes from onions, beetroot and the like, eggs can be made into quirky Spring themed vessels holding interesting mixtures of magic. Blown and dried in a low oven egg shells can be filled with numerous things, such as edible sprinkles of flavoured salts, furikake rice seasonings or dukkahs. Natural confetti of craft punched leaves, dried herbs, petals and lavender, even rolled oats can be fun. Bath salts are another idea, as are seed mixes of salad greens, lettuces or mesclun. Or perhaps a wild flower mixture, the recipient then cracks the egg to reveal and utilise its surprise, you may like to give a heads up as in “carefully break this egg over the bath / over a seedling tray.”
If you don’t want to go to the effort of blowing eggs you could make potting mix and seed bombs in oval egg like shapes and tie a ribbon or some twine around them.
Or prick out and pot on vegetable or flower bedding seedlings into half egg shells
Homegrown lemons and limes can also be used to represent Ostara eggs.
Eggs can make romantic small little vases for miniature Spring blooms, such as violas, pansies, forget-me-nots, muscari / grape hyacinths, daisies and dandelions.
You could build and place any of these eggcellent (sorry!) ideas into cartons for gifting.
Of course celebrating Ostara, like all celebration of the year’s festivals, means a time for feasting and merriment. I will return in a few days with some favourite Ostara food suggestions, recipe inspiration and naturally there will be chocolate.
Will you and your whānau be celebrating the equinox and/or Ostara? I’d be really chuffed to hear about your plans or if any of these prompts have inspired you. Let me know in the comments.
Seasons Blessings 💫
Bron
This is incredible, Bron! Thank you!