Ostara: A Celebration of Rebirth and Planting Intentions

As the frost melts away and the first green shoots push through the earth, Ostara arrives, bringing with it the balance of light and dark, renewal, and new beginnings. Celebrated on the Spring Equinox, typically around March 20-23, Ostara marks the moment when day and night are equal, reminding us of the cyclical nature of life and the promise of warmer, brighter days ahead.

This sacred time has long been associated with fertility, growth, and fresh starts. Many of the modern Easter traditions, such as eggs and rabbits, find their roots in ancient Ostara celebrations. Whether you follow the Wheel of the Year, honor seasonal shifts, or simply love the energy of spring, Ostara is a perfect time to set intentions and plant seeds—both metaphorically and literally.

Colors of Ostara

This has been a long and cold and dreary winter. We can now bring in the vibrant energy of Ostara, consider incorporating the following colors into your rituals, décor, and attire:

• Green – Renewal, growth, and abundance

• Yellow – Sunlight, joy, and optimism

• Pink – Love, compassion, and self-care

• Purple – Spiritual awakening and intuition

• White – Purity, clarity, and fresh starts

Rituals and Activities to Celebrate Ostara

There are many ways to honor the arrival of spring and harness the energy of balance and rebirth. Here are a few ideas:

1. Plant Seeds or Start a Garden

Ostara is the perfect time to begin a garden or start indoor seedlings. Choose herbs, flowers, or vegetables that align with your personal intentions. As you plant each seed, focus on what you wish to grow in your own life over the coming months.

2. Egg Magic and Decorating

Eggs symbolize fertility and new beginnings, making them a powerful tool for Ostara rituals. Decorate eggs with symbols or colors that represent your intentions for the season. You can also perform an egg blessing by holding an egg in your hands, infusing it with your wishes, and then burying it in the earth as an offering.

3. Create an Ostara Altar

Set up an altar with items that embody the essence of spring. Consider fresh flowers, pastel candles, eggs, crystals like rose quartz and citrine, and symbols of fertility such as rabbits or hares. You can also include a small dish of seeds or soil to represent growth and manifestation.

4. Spring Cleaning and Energy Clearing

Ostara is a time of fresh starts, making it ideal for both physical and energetic cleansing. Open your windows, let fresh air in, and clear out stagnant energy by smudging your space with herbs like lavender or rosemary. Decluttering your home can help create space for new opportunities and fresh energy to flow.

5. Seasonal Feast

Prepare a meal using fresh, seasonal ingredients such as leafy greens, honey, dairy, and eggs. Foods that honor the balance of the equinox, such as light and dark breads or a mix of sweet and savory flavors, can make your meal even more meaningful.

Setting Intentions for the Season

Spring is a season of action and renewal, making Ostara a powerful time to set intentions. Take a moment to journal about what you want to cultivate in your life. What projects do you want to bring to fruition? What personal growth are you focusing on? Writing your intentions down and reading them aloud under the sun can amplify their power.

Honoring the Natural World

Ostara is a celebration of life returning to the earth, so spending time outdoors is one of the best ways to honor the day. Go for a nature walk, observe the budding trees and blooming flowers, and leave a small offering—such as birdseed or a simple thank-you—to the land and its spirits.

However you choose to celebrate Ostara, let it be a joyful embrace of renewal, growth, and balance. Welcome the warmth, plant your dreams, and step forward into the season of possibility.