Life begins again.
Ostara is a nature holiday that is acknowledged on the Spring Equinox and marks the first day of the spring season. During this time, the Earth slowly wakes up and vegetation begins again. Animals start to come out of hibernation, flowers and other plants are making themselves known, and longer days are within our reach. The spark from Imbolc has taken on life and is transforming itself into something powerful.
When an equinox occurs, both day and night are equal in length, creating balance within the universe. We can use this time to create balance and harmony within our own lives by asking ourselves what we need to nourish our souls and what we can cut ties with. Just like the abundance of life popping up around us, Ostara is thought of as a time for new beginnings and rebirth. By clearing out clutter and wiping away the dust that accumulated over the winter, we allow ourselves to start fresh. This makes it a great time for manifesting and envisioning goals we want to accomplish throughout the rest of the year.
Easter is based on Ostara, and often you will see many similarities between the two holidays, including honoring eggs and rabbits. Before the modern ages, it was hard to come across eggs in the winter and you usually couldn’t find them until spring when the hens laid their first round. People would consider themselves lucky when they found the first eggs of the season. This carried on throughout the years and eventually decorating and celebrating with eggs became a tradition for this time. It is thought that eggs represent luck, rebirth, and the sun. Rabbits and hares are some animals that can quickly produce offspring, which led them to become a symbol of fertility. During the spring season, they are honored for this, as well as for renewal and ties to the moon.
Herbs for Ostara:
- Thyme
- Red clover
- Tarragon
- Nettle
- Cleavers
- Lemongrass
Plants for Ostara:
- Clover
- Tulips
- Daffodils
- Crocus
- Magnolia
- Violets
Ways to Celebrate Ostara:
- Setting intentions
- Decorating with flowers
- Planting seeds
- Dying eggs
- Hosting a tea party
- Spring cleaning
Amanda Furbee's Spring Vitamin Boost Sipping Vinegar for Ostara
This fresh blend of weedy greens is packed with natural vitamins to give your body a little extra love as you need it. Give your body the natural energy it craves while welcoming back the light with the Spring Equinox.
Here’s what you will need:
- 1oz Nettle Leaf
- 1oz combined Dandelion Leaf & Root
- 1oz Chickweed
- 1oz Spearmint
- 18 oz of honey
- 64 oz of apple cider vinegar
To Make Your Own: Herbal Sipping Vinegar
- Add herbs (4oz) and vinegar (64oz) to a large pot. Bring to a boil for a few minutes, then reduce heat and simmer for about 1 hour.
- After reducing heat for 1 hour, remove from heat and cool to at least room temperature.
- Strain all plant matter from the vinegar infusion.
- Heat back to a low temperature and add honey until all is dissolved into vinegar.
- Once the honey has dissolved, allow to cool to room temperature.
- Bottle up and label. This will make a big batch so hand out to all your friends!