It's easy to think of Ostara as just another word for Easter. But there's so much more to it than that! Ostara is a time for rebirth and renewal—for celebrating the rebirth of springtime each year after winter has passed and everything starts anew.

Ostara is an important Sabbat in Wicca, but it isn't just limited to those who practice witchcraft or paganism. Whether you're looking for a new way to celebrate your spirituality or just want a fun way to acknowledge spring, here's everything you need know about the ancient holiday known as Ostara.

Ostara

Ostara is the name of the spring equinox, which occurs on March 20 or 21. It's a time of rebirth and renewal in many cultures, including Germanic, Norse, and Celtic.

The word "Ostara" is derived from an Anglo-Saxon word for spring: "Eastre." Some scholars believe this refers to Eostre (a goddess), but others think it may simply mean "dawn."

Some sources say that Ostara's date was determined by ancient Germanic tribes through the positions of celestial bodies, while others claim it was more of a fertility festival. Either way, we know that the Spring Equinox is a time to celebrate renewal and rebirth.

The Spring Equinox occurs on March 20th or 21st every year and marks the first day of spring in both Northern and Southern Hemispheres. It also signals the beginning of Aries season (which lasts until April 20th). In astrology, this corresponds with your sun sign if you were born between March 20th and April 19th!

Goddess of Spring

The name "Ostara" comes from an ancient Teutonic Goddess of Spring. The Anglo-Saxons named her Eostra, and she was also known as Eastre and Ostara.

She was associated with the dawn, fertility, and new beginnings--the perfect time to celebrate spring!

In ancient Teutonic mythology, Ostara was considered a Goddess of rebirth and renewal. She was seen as being responsible for bringing springtime back to the earth after winter had passed. In fact, some historians believe that the name "Easter" comes from this Germanic Pagan deity's name--Ostern means "East" or "Dawn."

Ostara Celebrations

The ancient Germanic tribes celebrated Ostara around Easter time, which is when we celebrate Easter today.

There are many different ways to celebrate Ostara, and it's easy to do so on the first day of spring. The ancient Germanic tribes celebrated Ostara around the time we celebrate Easter today. In fact, their celebrations are so similar that some people think they may have been the same holiday at one point in time.

The best way to celebrate this holiday is by enjoying nature with your friends or family! You can go hiking or camping outside (if it isn't too cold), play games in your backyard or at the park...or even just take a walk around town if you don't have access to any other outdoor spaces!

Ostara Traditions

Ostara, also known as the Spring Equinox, is a Pagan holiday that celebrates the renewal of life on Earth. There are many traditions associated with this celebration which include eggs and rabbits because they symbolize fertility and rebirth.

Eggs have always been associated with fertility so it makes sense that they would be used at Ostara because it's all about bringing new life into this world.

Rabbits are also another symbol of fertility--their ability to reproduce quickly has made them popular choices for cartoon characters such as Bugs Bunny or Peter Rabbit--and so we see them used often during this time of year as well.

Easter

It took awhile for Christianity to absorb the traditions associated with Ostara into its religious practices. The holiday's pagan roots and origins were not adopted by Christians until around 750 CE, when Pope Gregory III declared that Easter would be celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following March 21st. This date was chosen because it coincided with many other spring festivals from around Europe--including those observed by Germanic tribes who lived in what is now Germany, Scandinavia, and England.

What does Ostara mean to you? 

In order to fully enjoy this Sabbat consider learning about what it means to you. Take time to reflect on your beliefs. Do you believe in any gods? If so, which ones? Do you participate in rituals that honor them or do they have any significance in your life outside of celebrations like this one? If not then why not?

You might not be able to go back in time and celebrate Ostara like the ancient Germanic tribes did, but you can still celebrate it in your own way. The important thing is that you take some time out of your busy schedule to reflect on what this holiday means for you personally.