Some cultures, such as Persian and Balinese, mark the New Year at the Spring Equinox. So does the Baha'i faith. This makes sense given that the world is renewing itself and people are reviving after the cold dark winter. The New Year is a time to forgive old disputes and to start new projects.
Decorate the altar with symbols of rebirth and beginnings, such as seeds or eggs. Green and gold are colors of life and growth. Ritual activities may include making plans or wishes for the coming year.
Spring Has Sprung
The Spring Equinox officially marks the first day of spring. In many places, early flowers are blooming, trees are budding, and animals are emerging from hibernation. This is the season of renewal.
For a seasonal festival, choose decorations that represent spring. You can also use “Year Wheel” decorations showing all the seasons or sabbats, oriented with spring or Ostara at the top. Choose pastel colors: pink, yellow, sky blue, mint green, and lavender. Potted or cut flowers such as crocus, daffodils, and tulips are appropriate; so are blooming branches of forsythia, apricot, maple, or pussywillow. Rituals may describe the features of spring and bless new projects.
Honoring Eostre
Eostre is the Germanic goddess of spring and fertility. Her name gives us words like “estrus” and the holidays Ostara and Easter. She awakens the Earth after winter, encouraging it to grow and flourish. Her priestesses are usually girls or young women.
Traditional activities include washing in dew or running water to promote beauty. Eggs and cross buns are traditional foods. Rituals to honor Eostre may be held early in the day, as her special time is dawn. Decorate with sunrise colors — peach, pink, yellow, gold — plus the pale greens of spring.
Balance
“Equinox” means “equal night” — that is, day and light are of equal length at this time. On the spring equinox, dark and light are balanced, and light is growing stronger. This symbolizes other types of balance in our lives.
A celebration of balance usually includes counterpoints, so you might have a priest representing Day and a priestess representing Night. Decorate with both contrasts such as black and white. Useful symbols include balance scales, or sun for day and stars or moon for night. Meditate on balance.
Plants and Seeds
By this time, the growing season has started. Early plants are sprouting and blooming. Seedling trees and shrubs are planted so they get a head-start on the grass. Seeds for spring and early summer crops such as peas and lettuce can be planted as soon as the ground becomes workable. Thus, many Ostara celebrations focus on plants and seeds.
Decorate the altar with flowers or blooming twigs. Alfalfa or bean sprouts are decorative and edible, as are certain flowers. Saffron, a precious spice made from crocus flowers, is an ideal offering or seasoning. For a ritual activity, consider planting seeds to represent hopes and plans.
Ducks and Bunnies
Animal correspondences for Ostara include those which bear their young at or near this time of year, and those associated with fecundity and abundance. Rabbits and hares, ducks and chickens, lambs, and goats all appear — often as babies, or even eggs. They are sacred to Eostre and other goddesses of spring.
Celebrate by honoring just one animal, or all of them. Put pictures or statues of the animal on the altar. Decorate eggs to hide and hunt. Tell myths and legends about the animals, or re-enact scenes as part of a ritual. If you raise any of these as livestock, consider a blessing for them.
Eggs represent life, fertility, and the universe. As days lengthen, chickens lay more eggs. Boiled eggs, deviled eggs, egg salad, omelettes, quiche, and other egg dishes are all ideal for Ostara.
Seeds stand for the planting season and the greening world. Flower seeds, such as sunflower seeds or poppy seeds, are especially appropriate.
Chicken or duck is a popular spring food because birds that don’t start laying may be eaten instead. Both of these birds symbolize abundance and fertility.
Lamb stands for innocence and gentleness. Lambs are born in very early spring so they represent the season — but there’s more meat on them now. Lamb chops and leg-of-lamb are popular.
Rabbit or hare is traditional Ostara fare. At this time, the animals become more active and visible, thus easy to catch. They represent speed and fertility. They are also sacred to the Goddess. They are excellent when fried, stewed or spit-roasted.
Fish becomes available again as the ice thaws, exposing rivers and lakes full of hungry mouths. Fish symbolizes the female principle.
Dairy foods are readily avaiilable in spring as cows, goats, and sheep give abundant milk. Sometimes you can even find butter in the shape of lambs!
Green vegetables mark the return of fresh foods. Early choices include asparagus, lettuce, peas, and sprouts.
Edible flowers add color and interest, also representing spring. These include lilac, viola, chive, clover, sweet woodruff, and violet.
Colors: White and black together represent the balance of day and night at spring equinox. Yellow is the color of the waxing sun, and of chicks and ducklings. Pink and lavender show in spring flowers, and light blue in the spring sky.
Flowers: Choose whatever flowers are currently in bloom. Tulips, daffodils, apricot or apple blossoms, clover, violets — even dandelions can dress up your altar.
Incense: Sandalwood has a light spicy fragrance and represents growth. Patchouli smells of rich, damp earth and awakens fertility. Bergamot is uplifting with a citrus scent.
Music: Harp and flute are instruments of water and air, suitable for gentle Ostara themes. Tambourines with ribbons make a lovely display as well as sound. Also consider albums such as Sabbets and Circles.
Altar tools: Candles shaped like eggs, chicks, or rabbits are easy to find now. Bowls and chalices represent the Goddess and the rebirth of life. Bells can ring in the new season.
Eggs: Many traditions surround the decoration and display of eggs in spring festivals. You can dye eggs with herbs, with Easter egg kits, or with wax and dye. Decorate with traditional symbols, Pagan symbols, runes, or ogham to impart meaning to the eggs. Runes are especially apt; look up their symbols, background, and interpretations. If you then hide and hunt the eggs, they can serve as a fun type of divination, hinting what you may find in the coming year.
Background: This ritual was inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis and the subsequent film adaptations. The colors and symbolism are drawn from those sources, and hold their roots both in Paganism (assorted flavors) and Christianity. Few people today remember that Lewis was renowned as a scholar of mythology and Christianity alike.
Preparation: Make gods-eyes for craft. Colors: gold, red, green, blue, silver. Celebrants dress in Narnian style garb. Each person (or family) brings a resealable jar of water from somewhere special to them. Gather and line up near the house, then process to the ritual meadow. The altar is draped with a lion-patterned cloth, and the Dancing Waters bowl sits upon it. Celebrants arrange themselves in a circle around it.
Narrator: Steps into the center of the circle. “We gather now to celebrate spring and to awaken the land. You have all heard of the magical land of Narnia – Narnia of the heathery mountains, Narnia of the many rivers, the mossy caverns and deep forests ringing with the hammers of Dwarves. Such stories have great power, and so we will draw on that power to turn the seasons, by calling the Kings and Queens of Narnia and the Great Lion, Aslan.”
Narrator: “To the listening Eastern sea, I give you Queen Lucy the Valiant.”
Queen Lucy:Turns to face the East. “I call to this Court the waters of the East. Grace us with your faith. Hail and welcome!”
All: “Hail and welcome!”
Narrator: “To the great Western wood, I give you King Edmund the Just.”
King Edmund:Turns to face the West. “I call to this Court the earth of the West. Grace us with your honesty. Hail and welcome!”
All: “Hail and welcome!”
Narrator: “To the radiant Southern sun, I give you Queen Susan the Gentle.”
Queen Susan: Turns to face the South. “I call to this Court the fire of the South. Grace us with your warmth. Hail and welcome!”
All: “Hail and welcome!”
Narrator: “To the clear Northern sky, I give you King Peter the Magnificent.”
King Peter:Turns to face the North. “I call to this Court the winds of the North. Grace us with your vision. Hail and welcome!”
All: “Hail and welcome!”
Narrator: “Now the true king of Narnia is Aslan, the Great Lion, son of the Emperor-over-the-sea. At this time of year, Narnians call him with this verse:
When he bares his teeth, Winter meets its death, And when he shakes his mane, We shall have spring again.
Aslan:Steps into the center of the circle. “Narnia, Narnia, Narnia, awake. Love. Think. Speak. Be walking trees. Be talking beasts. Be divine waters.”
Aslan leads the water-sharing. Each celebrant comes forward in turn to pour their water into the bowl, explaining where it came from. Then Aslan rubs the handles to make the waters dance and sing. Celebrants come forward to touch the water and bless themselves with it. After everyone has done so, the celebrants bring their bottles to be refilled with the mingled waters.
Narrator: “Aslan is always coming and going. One day you’ll see him, the next you won’t. He’s wild, you know – not like a tame lion. So we bid Aslan – hail and farewell!”
All: “Hail and farewell!”
Aslan: Rejoins circle.
Narrator: “To the clear Northern sky, I give you King Peter the Magnificent.”
King Peter: “I release the winds of the North. Hail and farewell!”
All: “Hail and farewell!”
Narrator: “To the radiant Southern sun, I give you Queen Susan the Gentle.”
Queen Susan: “I release the fire of the South. Hail and farewell!”
All: “Hail and farewell!”
Narrator: “To the great Western wood, I give you King Edmund the Just.”
King Edmund: “I release the earth of the West. Hail and farewell!”
All: “Hail and farewell!”
Narrator: “To the listening Eastern sea, I give you Queen Lucy the Valiant.”
Queen Lucy: “I release the waters of the East. Hail and farewell!”
All: “Hail and farewell!”
Narrator: “Once a King or Queen of Narnia, always a King or Queen of Narnia. May your wisdom grace us until the stars rain down from the heavens. Hail and farewell.”
All: “Hail and farewell!”
Narrator: “You may be thinking, now that our adventure is over, that you’ll never find your way into Narnia again. You’ll get back someday, though. It’ll probably happen when you’re not looking for it. All the same – probably best to keep your eyes open.”
The water-sharing portion of this ritual was inspired by a version of the water-sharing practiced by the Church of All Worlds.
Paired Rituals for Ostara 2008
Background: Rituals for Samhain 2006 and Ostara 2008 tell the two halves of the story featuring Demeter, Persephone, and Hades from Greek mythology. In this interpretation, Persephone is the willing partner of Hades, and they rule together over an underworld that contains all its traditional regions, not just the hellish ones popularized later. Demeter's possessive and manipulative nature, established in the original mythology, is played up here. The Ostara rituals below portray Persephone's departure from the underworld and arrival in the world above where she brings spring.
Ostara 2008: What Goes Around, Comes Around Ritual the First
Cast circle widdershins.
Hades, Lord of the Underworld, is released to the outside of the circle, and walks widdershins, starting in the East, and calls the elements from each of the cardinal points in turn.
North: "I call to the elemental forces of Earth, which shape and contain the whole of the Underworld: Elysian Fields as well as Tartarus. May you bear witness to this rite, acknowledging the departure of the realm’s rightful queen. As above, so below!"
All respond: "As above, so below!"
West: "I call to the elemental forces of Water, which flow through the great rivers of Hades: that portion of my realm which is Acheron, Cocytus, Lethe, and Styx. May you bear witness to this rite, comemorating Persephone’s leave-taking. As above, so below!"
All respond: "As above, so below!"
South: "I call to the elemental forces of Fire, which burn without the consumption of fuel: that portion of my realm which is Phlegethon, the River of Fire. May you bear witness to this rite, that passion for my beloved continutes to burn brightly throughout our upcoming separation. As above, so below!"
All respond: "As above, so below!"
East: "I call to the elemental forces of Air, which carry to me the scent of the Fields of Asphodel: that portion of my realm which is filled with the flowers sacred to my wife, Persephone. May you bear witness to this rite, and remind us of the eventual return of the Queen of the Underworld. As above, so below!"
All respond: "As above, so below!"
Hades evokes Persephone. "I call forth the Queen of the Underworld, my wife Persephone, at this time of endings, separations, and abandonment. Her time among us is at an end; may our observance this night assure that we remember her time among us, and that we endure our sorrow through every passing moment of her absence."
Persephone is released into circle from opposite side, and approaches Hades. "There is no need for such dramatics, my darling husband. The six months of Spring and Summer shall pass quickly and nearly un-noticed, no more than the equivalent of a mortal’s day at work. Give me time to make the flowers, and I’ll have returned to your arms before the scent of my perfume has faded from your nose."
Hades withdraws scarf. "Speaking of flowers, beloved: bring forth your basket, and I shall provide a gift, a remembrance of the Underworld, for you to take with you to Gaia’s lands above."
Persephone presents basket, and Hades produces flower bulbs from scarf.
Firekeeper lights torches en route to exit gate as Persephone speaks.
Persephone: "A fitting token, my love, for me to bring forth from the Underworld – to remind those dwelling above that much of the beauty they experience is brought forth from below."
Hades opens circle for Persephone’s departure. "It is time, my love, my dearest – the way has been lit, and you must depart this gathering to embark on your reign as Queen of Spring. Leave you must, without regret or melancholy, for this realm will hold a monopoly of those for as long as you are removed from us. Now be away; there are many things to which you must attend."
Persephone bids farewell to Hades, and leaves circle by northern gate.
Hades dismisses quarters.
East: "I call to the elemental forces of Air, and extend our thanks for your presence at our rite. May your insight be ever present; go in peace."
All respond: "Go in peace."
South: "I call to the elemental forces of Fire, and extend our thanks for your presence at our rite. May your passion be ever kindled; go in peace."
All respond: "Go in peace."
West: "I call to the elemental forces of Water, and extend our thanks for your presence at our rite. May your wisdom be ever flowing; go in peace."
All respond: "Go in peace."
North: "I call to the elemental forces of Earth, and extend our thanks for your presence at our rite. May your strength be ever undiminished; go in peace."
All respond: "Go in peace."
Open circle, deosil, in reverse of opening casting.
* * *Between the two rituals, the celebrants disperse and take a short break. Then they reconvene in the ritual meadow. * * * Ostara 2008: What Goes Around, Comes Around Ritual the Second
Participants assemble in a cluster surrounding Demeter, and stay tightly grouped around her as she circles the meadow to make the quarter calls. At each stop, all face the direction being called. Demeter walks deosil, starting from North, and calls each of the quarters in turn, first reaching East. This is intended to be informal, and “in character” chatter among all participants and Demeter is encouraged.
East: "I call to the East, to share in my joy, for today my daughter returns! Now above, no longer below!"
All respond: "Now above, no longer below!"
As Demeter continues to each quarter, her impatience grows, and the exicited chattering betwixt participants shifts to follow her changing mood.
South: "I call to the South, to share in my joy, for today my daughter is due to return! Now above, no longer below!"
All respond: "Now above, no longer below!"
West: "I call to the West, in anticipation of my daughter’s release. Soon above, en route from below!"
All respond: "Soon above, en route from below!"
North: "I call to the North, in search of my daughter. Should be above, still below"!
All respond: "Should be above, still below!"
Participants separate from the cluster around Demeter, and assemble holding hands, deosil, into a circle around the bonfire.
Demeter casts circle, also deosil.
Demeter is released to inside of circle, impatiently calls for Persephone. "Goddess of Spring, where are you? This world has been asleep too long, and needs your presence to awaken! Persephone, come forth! It’s time to make the flowers! If that damn son-in-law of mine hasn’t kept proper track of time, I’m going to…"
Persephone enters meadow,calling out, “I’m here, mother!” The relevant participants raise their arms to let her into the circle. Greetings are exchange all around, with Demeter struggling between balancing her joy at Persephone’s return with her impatience over the timing, and her rising anger at the (perceived) slight.
Persephone announces her gift of flower bulbs brought from the afterlife, and passes them around the cirle, with a blessing to the effect of, “May the beauty of Spring ever bloom in your life.” Snide comments from Demeter may ensue, with responses from Persephone as inspiration strikes.
Demeter, finally letting joy win out over all other emotions, calls for and leads a dance to celebrate her daughter’s return. Demeter and Persephone are joined into the circle, and dance commences.
At end of dance, Pesephone and Demeter are released into the circle, and distribute cakes and ale. Bantering continues between the two of them, but the ‘edge’ has been taken off of it, for the most part… Persephone, at some point, mutters ‘under her breath’ (but loud enough for the entire circle to hear), “It’s ONLY six months; I can put up with ANYONE for six months…”; Demeter asks, “What was that?”, and Persephone replies, “Nothing, mother.”
Demeter and Persephone re-join the circle. Demeter speaks, to this effect: "Oh, daughter, it is SO good to have you back. We’ve got so much to talk about, and so little time left. Come, come: let’s go where I can tell you everything that’s happened since you’ve been gone…"
Demeter and Persephone release themselves to the outside of the circle and wander off. Demeter waves vaguely at Celebrant in the process, and says, “Wrap this up for me, will you?"
Celebrant releases quarters.
North: "I call to the North in joy, and with thanks for your having witnessed this revel. May the graces of the Goddess of Spring extend to your outermost reaches. Go in peace!"
All respond: "Go in peace!"
West: "I call to the West in joy, and with thanks for your having witnessed this revel. May the graces of the Goddess of Spring extend to your outermost reaches. Go in peace!"
All respond: "Go in peace!"
South: "I call to the South in joy, and with thanks for your having witnessed this revel. May the graces of the Goddess of Spring extend to your outermost reaches. Go in peace!"
All respond: "Go in peace!"
East: "I call to the East in joy, and with thanks for your having witnessed this revel. May the graces of the Goddess of Spring extend to your outermost reaches. Go in peace!"
All respond: "Go in peace!"
Open circle, widdershins, in reverse of opening casting.
* * * Note: When Hades produces the flower bulbs from his scarf, that involves a bit of stage magic.