Ostara Versus Easter

We call it Ostara and as you know celebrate it during the Spring Equinox, which was on March 20 at 10:46 a.m. However, much of society is Christian and celebrates Easter.  Growing up as a Roman Catholic, I often wondered why all the hype about bunnies and chicks and eggs. I asked around and all I received for response was because it’s Spring. Well, that may be true, in fact very true. But it does not explain why. 

With Spring, comes all the bunnies, chicks, bugs, birds, flowers; a rebirthing of the land. 

Easter gets its name from the Teutonic/Germanic goddess of spring and the dawn, whose name is spelled Oestre or Eastre. Furthermore, her name is very close to Christian holiday.

The Goddess Eostre associated with the renewal of the Earth’s grounds after winter. Images often show her with flowers and greenery and she is often in a cart and being, so many cultures associate her with the moon. This is because the hare and rabbits generally forage at night. Additionally, she is associated with birds. 

The egg itself is also a symbol of potential, fertility and hope of new life. It is said that the Celts dyed the eggs red symbolizing the menstruation cycle. The women and children would dye the eggs and reflect on their hopes and dreams that year. Then they would bury the eggs with the seedlings in the ground. This would nourish the plants throughout the growing cycle. While the plants grew, so did their hopes and dreams.

Additionally, Pagans claim that hot cross buns have Pagan roots too. This I am not getting into detail about at this time.

While we celebrate the rebirth of the land, Christians celebrate Christ’s resurrection. See the similarities. Yes, I know almost all, if not all Christian holidays were once only ours. They usurped our holidays to make the conversion to their religion easier. But that was back then. If you were to ask why they’re still here. I believe that it’s because they can’t even get past the truth completely.

Like the Celts using symbolic eggs to nourish their desires, we can use our gardens to help us remember and grow.

And on that note, let’s think for a minute on what we are doing for the land. We most likely have started before actually planting them in the soil outdoors. However, during the day, we can and should leave them outside to prepare them for the actual weather. Take them in when the sun begins to set. In just a few weeks when we celebrate Beltaine I will plant my seedlings in the ground. I live on the East Coast depending on where you live, you either planted or need to wait a bit. 

While preparing those seeds for planting, reflect on what you need to grow in your life whether it is spiritual or mundane. For me, I’ll be honest, I need to work on myself. It’s a process and one that will pay off in the end. You grow as the plants grow, whether it is mentally or spiritually or both.

Recently, I missed the Ostara ritual I had planned due to work at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair, NJ. Well, at least I thought I did. I was pleasantly surprised that the renters did a concert in reference to Ostara. They called it “Spring Ritual” and they played a lot of songs related to the Spring Equinox. While it quite wasn’t a ritual per se it was a great experience. They did a fantastic job. 

So, whether you celebrate Ostara or Easter this Sunday with your family, remind yourself of the origins of the holiday.

Easter might be the most Pagan Christian holiday other than Yule, even similar in names Ostara and Easter. Enjoy and happy Spring!

See also: Spring is coming, the robin has arrived, now what?