Ostara, one of the lesser sabbats corresponds with the spring equinox. It was adopted as a part of the wheel of the year in the late 1950s, by the Bricket Wood Coven led by Gerald Gardner and OBOD founder Ross Nichols. The term Ostara was first used in association with this holiday in 1974 by Aidan Kelly.

This holiday gets its name from the Germanic Goddess Eoster. You will also see references to the goddess Ostara, however this name is a recent adaptation, believed to have been a local variant of the name Eoster. Jacob Grimm was the first to make this a popular use of the name. He wrote about her in 1835, after reading about her from the Christian priest Bede. Here is a great article which talks more about this in detail.

One of the most popular myths about Ostara is that she came across a bird with frozen wings and transformed it into a rabbit. However the rabbit was still able to lay eggs. This is believed to be the reason for the use of rabbit and egg symbolism around this holiday, however eggs have represented fertility for many hundreds of years prior to this.

Another myth is that the Goddess Ostara would ride a sled pulled by rabbits through the fields during springtime. One popular meme was circulating about the entomological origin of the word Easter coming from the Goddess Ishtar, however this has been proved to be incorrect.

We will be hosting a group ritual, which we would love for you to join us! Scroll down to read about what you will need and how to perform it!

Group Ritual

For this ritual, you can add or remove what you see fit. Due to the current situation with the covid-19 pandemic, if you don’t have supplies you might need, feel free to substitute or omit what you need to. We also recommend creating your own world healing spell, however there will not be a specific mention of this in this post.

Gather:

small sauce pan
water (moon water if available)
two nesting bowls (for making an ice bowl, make sure the smallest one will hold your candle)
herbs for cleansing (we recommend citrus, black pepper, sage, cedar, cinnamon, rosemary, basil and rose)
witch hazel and/or salt
spray bottle (optional)
herbs for what intentions you wish to grow
eggs
dye material (try turmeric, hibiscus, purple cabbage, onion skins or beets!)
vinegar
mason jar for each dye color
white crayon
white or green candle
oil for dressing the candle
tool for carving

Prepare:

On the stove, add moon water to a small pot and allow to come to a steaming temperature. Add your cleansing herbs, while placing each herb into the water, speak aloud the intention for each ingredient. Citrus for bringing the sun back, black pepper for banishing, sage to remove negativity, cedar to bless, cinnamon for prosperity, rosemary for protection, basil for luck, and rose for love. Stir in a clockwise direction and imagine the intentions combining and multiplying as they steep in the water. Allow this mixture to steam (not boil) for at least an hour. After this, allow to cool overnight, strain and then add about 1 or 2 tablespoons of witch hazel and a pinch of salt to preserve. This mixture can be bottled into a spray bottle or put into a bowl and sprinkled with your fingers or athame.

Hard boil your eggs, be sure to add one for offering. Each egg with be dyed and inscribed with your sigils or intentions for the upcoming year.

Cut and prep your dye materials. Here is a good resource for this! Add each material to a separate mason jar and pour boiling water into the jar. Be sure to leave enough space to add your eggs. Allow this to cool overnight, and strain.

Prepare your ice bowl. Choose things that correspond with what your wish to manifest or grow this season. This will be an offering bowl, so be sure not to include anything that will be harmful to the environment. Things like seeds that may become invasive, or salt which kills plants should not be used. Be sure to set aside some of these herbs to dress your candle with tomorrow. Here is an article on how to make an ice bowl.

Ritual:

Using the cleansing spray you made the night before, go over your space with the spray. Be sure to open your windows in order to let the old out and invite the new in. Pay special attention to the corners where energy can stagnate, and any areas of high use. While doing this, allow yourself to become lighter, feel your heart lifting with every spray. Speak words aloud if you feel called to do so.

Once you have cleansed, now is the time to call upon any spirits, deities, or ancestors you wish to work with. You can also cast a circle if you use that method in your practice, however this is not necessary if you don’t feel its appropriate.

Using the herbs you’ve collected to represent your intentions, dress your green or white candle and carve any sigils you might make. This is a very personal practice, so we felt it wasn’t appropriate to suggest intent or sigils to use, however if you need some inspiration, check out pinterest or use your intuition.

Place the candle inside your ice bowl (be sure to place your bowl in a baking pan or a dish to collect the water, OR do this outside). Light the candle! As the flame melts the wax and the ice, imagine this as your heart and passion (the flame) melts the obstacles (ice) in the way of your intentions (herbs).

Now grab your eggs, dye, vinegar, and white crayon. Add about a tablespoon of vinegar to each dye (this will help the dye bond to your egg shell). Now is the time to let your inner child out! With the crayon, write your wishes and intentions that you want to grow or manifest. Add any sigils to the shells as well. The wax will act as a resist for the dye, leaving these areas the natural egg color. Carefully add the decorated eggs to the dye and allow them to sit (possibly overnight) until the desired color is achieved. You can experiment as your heart desires! PLAY!

After you have dyed your eggs, eat them! Your magick will become a part of you, helping to nourish your body. As it digests, it will help to provide energy to your cells, and to build your DNA. Your intentions have now become hardwired into your programming.

Thank your spirits, deities and ancestors by leaving the rest of your offering ice bowl with an egg in a safe place after closing your circle. If you have a tree you leave offerings under, that would be a great place. However, you can also leave this on your altar, or outside your door.