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Ostara – Spring Equinox

Ostara is the day that Spring begins, when night and day are equal. The exact moment will be at 1:32pm EST on March 20th, 2010.  This is the lessor Sabbat named after the Norse Goddess, Ostara (who took her name from the Teutonic Goddess, Eostre).  

When I was growing up, I was raised Christian and we celebrated Easter.  Of course we celebrated it much like we did Christmas, in that it wasn’t really a “religious” holiday as much as a “family” holiday.  Often we would take trips out to the desert where it was warm during the day and chili at night.  We’d camp there in our motorhome for a week  or two.  We’d hide eggs, have chicken in a basket for lunch, and play lots of games.  Sometimes lots of our extended family would come and visit, sometimes it’d just be a few.  But however many people came to visit, it was all about family!

I still prefer to celebrate Easer/Ostara in the same way, with just a little added ritual to talk and show respect to the balance in nature on this beautiful spring day.  One of the things that we’ll be doing this weekend is going to a ritual where we will have “divining eggs” and “balance sticks”.  This should be a fun ritual to be a part of!

What are some of the things you do to celebrate Ostara?  Do you hide eggs?  Do you have bunnies and chicks on your altar?

Here are some more great articles on Ostara:

Ecclasia – Ostara by WitchPrince

Witchvox – You Call It Easter We Call it Ostara by Peg Aloi

About.com All About Ostara, The Spring Equinox by Patti Wigington