As the earth awakens from its wintry slumber and the days grow longer, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment in the wheel of the year: Ostara, the Spring Equinox. This ancient festival, celebrated by various cultures throughout history, marks the balance between light and darkness, symbolizing growth, renewal, and the emergence of life after the cold grip of winter. Join me in exploring the significance of Ostara within the Celtic wheel and discover five practices to embrace the season of rebirth.
Understanding Ostara and the Celtic Wheel
Ostara derives its name from the name Eostre, and represents fertility, dawn, and the awakening of nature. This festival is deeply rooted in pagan traditions, particularly within the Celtic Wheel of the Year, which divides the solar year into eight seasonal festivals.
In the Celtic tradition, Ostara signifies the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Summer Solstice, embodying the balance between light and darkness. It marks the time when daylight overtakes the darkness, heralding the return of warmth and vitality to the land. This equinox holds profound significance, symbolizing the promise of new beginnings and the potential for growth and transformation.
Five Practices to Embrace Spring and Sow Seeds of Growth
1. Connect with Nature: Take time to immerse yourself in the natural world as it bursts into life. Visit a local park or woodland, breathe in the crisp air, and observe the signs of spring – budding flowers, chirping birds, and fresh greenery. Engage your senses by listening to the gentle rustle of leaves, feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin, and inhaling the earthy aroma of new growth. Connect with the energy of the season by practicing mindfulness outdoors, whether through walking meditations, nature journaling, or simply sitting in quiet contemplation.
2. Plant Seeds of Intention: Just as nature begins to awaken and flourish, Ostara invites us to cultivate our own seeds of intention for the months ahead. Set aside time for reflection and introspection, considering what you wish to manifest and nurture in your life. Whether it's embarking on a new project, fostering personal growth, or cultivating meaningful relationships, visualize your goals with clarity and intention. Plant metaphorical seeds by writing them down, creating vision boards, or engaging in ritualistic practices such as candle magic or meditation. By sowing the seeds of your desires during Ostara, you align yourself with the fertile energy of the season, paving the way for growth and abundance in the coming months.
3. Celebrate the Equinox: Honor the balance between light and darkness by celebrating the Spring Equinox with rituals and festivities. Create an altar adorned with symbols of spring – colorful flowers, eggs, seeds, and representations of the sun and moon. Light candles in hues of green, yellow, and pastel shades to evoke the vibrancy of the season. Participate in traditional activities such as egg decorating, egg hunts, or crafting floral wreaths and garlands. Consider holding a feast with loved ones, featuring seasonal ingredients and dishes that honor the bounty of the earth. Whether you choose to celebrate alone or with a community, infuse your rituals with gratitude for the gifts of renewal and growth bestowed upon us by the equinox.
4. Engage in Spring Cleaning: Embrace the spirit of renewal by decluttering and cleansing your physical and spiritual space. Spring cleaning rituals have long been practiced as a way to rid the home of stagnant energy and make way for fresh beginnings. Dedicate time to decluttering your living environment, clearing out any physical clutter that no longer serves you. Simultaneously, cleanse your inner world by releasing negative thoughts, emotions, and patterns that hinder your growth. Consider incorporating cleansing practices such as smudging with sage or burning purifying herbs to dispel stagnant energy and invite positivity into your surroundings. As you cleanse your space, visualize yourself shedding old layers and making room for new opportunities and experiences to unfold.
5. Cultivate Gratitude and Joy: As nature awakens from its winter slumber, take time to cultivate gratitude for the blessings in your life and revel in the simple joys of spring. Practice gratitude rituals such as keeping a gratitude journal, where you can jot down daily reflections on the things you appreciate. Spend time outdoors, soaking up the rejuvenating energy of the sun and reveling in the beauty of blooming flowers and budding trees. Engage in activities that bring you joy and nourish your soul, whether it's gardening, painting, singing, or simply enjoying a leisurely stroll in nature. By fostering an attitude of gratitude and embracing the abundance of the season, you align yourself with the natural rhythms of renewal and growth, cultivating a sense of vitality and well-being.
Oracle Cards and Journalling
For me Spring is my 'New Year'. I begin to start quietly sitting with where I am, personally and also my business. Beginning to give myself the space to shift into a more dynamic role in my life. Moving from the quieter and stillness of Winter and into the growth of Spring and Summer. One thing that really supports me with this process is the use of Oracle cards and journalling.
If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram you would have spotted my Oracle card spread that I post last week. Here are the questions that I used - should you wish to do the same.
Remember, always pick your cards and write in your journal from a place of being grounded. Take a few deep breaths or even better - do a short grounding meditation.
What seeds are wanting to be planted.
How can I nurture these seeds?
What has served me but is now ready to be released as it is no longer needed?
How can I bring in more balance into my Spring?
How can I make use of these longer days?
What steps can I take to live in alignment with the energy of Spring?
Meditation
If you would like to connect to the energy of Spring and the Goddess Ostara - You can download a meditation that I recorded at my Meditation and Reiki circle that was held online on Sunday, 24th March 2024.
As we welcome Ostara and the Spring Equinox with open hearts and minds, let us embrace the spirit of renewal and growth that permeates the earth. By connecting with nature, planting seeds of intention, celebrating the equinox, engaging in spring cleaning, and cultivating gratitude and joy, we align ourselves with the rhythms of the season and sow the seeds of our desires for the months ahead. May this time of rebirth inspire us to embrace change, pursue our dreams, and nurture the seeds of growth within our hearts and souls.
Blessed Ostara!
With love,
Caroline
Caroline Dearlove
Author
"I am the witness to your soul. I listen with grace by my side. I inspire you to be curious with how you learn the wisdom that this world has to offer you. Birthing your vision from a place of joy & desire. Holding you, so you feel safe to drop into your soul and allow it to lead you. There is nothing more powerful than releasing who we are not, grounding into the earths magic and opening our hearts. I am a teacher, a healer & a business doula - the tools that I use are Intuitive Energy Healing, Human Design, Bodywork & Meditation."