Today is the vernal (spring) equinox*. It is the astronomical beginning of spring. Wiccans, Heathens, and various modern Pagans celebrate this day as Ostara, Lady Day, or simply the spring equinox. Several current secular Easter traditions including the Easter Bunny, and dying/decorating eggs are considered remnants of pre-Christian spring celebrations. It is a time for the celebration of the renewal of life.

London, March 20, 1961–A member of the Ancient Order of Druids society marks the
vernal equinox with a horn blast near the Tower of London. (National Geographic)

Here are some quotes from the press (and Pagans) on this day.

“Equinoxes are times of balance between day and night, light and darkness.  But the balance is dynamic, lasting a day, before shifting into playing a role in that greater balance that is the Wheel of the Year.  For me this sense of balance should be the dominant theme of either Ostara, or Mabon, the Fall Equinox.  But they are very different Sabbats otherwise, for after Ostara the light will continue to grow, whereas after Mabon, it is darkness that increases.” – Gus diZerega, Beliefnet

“For astrology life begins at the spring equinox, when nature bursts back into activity and the Sun in Aries kick starts the zodiacal cycle. The Aries Ram is an urgent creature, a heads-down-and-charge leader, and while the glyph for Aries resembles a pair of horns, it can also be seen as a young shoot, pushing blindly above ground. Everything quickens now.” – Neil Spencer, The Guardian

“For members of many pagan religions, the vernal equinox has spiritual meaning and is celebrated as Ostara. “At the ritual, we basically call to the god and the goddess and ask them to wake the earth,” said Kerri Connor, who hosts an Ostara celebration each spring at her Ringwood home. “Springtime is when you plant seeds, but the seeds we plant are what you want to grow in yourself throughout the year.” This year, about 23 people will attend the ritual, but as many as 40 have come in the past. The youngest person in the group is 2 years old; the oldest is almost 50, Connor said.” – Sarah Sutschek, Northwest Herald

“We think that the customs surrounding the celebration of the spring equinox were imported from Mediterranean lands, although there can be no doubt that the first inhabitants of the British Isles observed it, as evidence from megalithic sites shows. But it was certainly more popular to the south, where people celebrated the holiday as New Year’s Day, and claimed it as the first day of the first sign of the zodiac, Aries. However you look at it, it is certainly a time of new beginnings, as a simple glance at nature will prove.” – Mike Nichols, The Witches’ Sabbats

“The vernal equinox is a time to salute the reawakening of nature. It is spring after winter, life after death, be that in a Christian or a pagan context. Whatever religion you may follow and whether or not you choose to connect the rising sun with the rising son, the vernal equinox still remains a celebration of resurrection and rebirth. It is all around for us to see.” – Niina Mero, SixDegrees

May you enjoy a fruitful and blessed spring!

* Technically speaking, the 2009 Spring Equinox happened at March 20th 11:44 UTC. In my neck of the woods, that means that the equinox actually happened around 6:44AM. If you live in the United Kingdom then it happened at 11:44 AM. In Australia the equinox (though not the “spring” equinox) will be this afternoon. Check your time zone for exact calculations.

Tags: Eostre, Festival, Lady Day, Ostara, Spring Equinox, Vernal Equinox