Ostara~ The arrival of spring
- thetarotmuse
- Mar 19, 2016
- 2 min read
In very early spring, frost may still be visible for some of us on the windows in the morning, but we can sense the promise of Ostara with each passing day. Almost unnoticeably, the days begin to lengthen, the sun grows warmer, the air carries the thick scent of fresh soil and emergent greens and gentle rains.
Spring is a time of awakening, of rebirth and renewal. Symbolically, this is the time to clear out the old beliefs that no longer serve us, the outdated ideas of who and what we are and the dead underbrush of our former selves as we make room for abundance and new growth that the spring equinox promises each and every year.
Spring arrives on March 20 ( 12:30 am EST). That is the vernal equinox, the time that the sun crosses the Earths equator from south to north and one of only two times in the year when the day and night are equal in length.
In earlier times, the spring equinox was considered the begining of the new year. It signifies the begining of the season of growth and regeneration, so it was always a significant day for those that worked the land.
Ostara is a sabbat, or holiday, observed and celebrated by most earth based religions. This is the festival that celebrates the season’s change from dark winter to bright spring. Ostara is the spring goddess that represents dawn and oversees the budding plants and fertility of the earth. Symbols for Ostara include many of those observed at Easter such as eggs, rabbits, flowers and seeds. Many religions celebrate holidays this time of year, including Hindu Holi, Jewish Purim, Sikh Hola Moholla and Christian Easter.
Traditionally a day of equilibrium, neither harsh winter of merciless summer, this is a time on the wheel of the year that we can open up with child like wonder to all of the expectations for new growth and unlimited abundance that lie ahead. Healing and renewal are within reach for each one of us. Be sure to take some time to reconnect to the earth and by doing so, we also plant the seeds of possibility within ourselves.
Love and Ostara Blessings,
Shannon
xoxo
