Cross-culturally, the spring season is a time to celebrate renewal, rebirth, fertility, abundance, and the coming summer. 💐🐣🐰
Ostara, also known as "Ēostre" and later on "Easter", has origins tied to the Ancient Germanic Goddess and Astarte. As one of the eight Neopagan Sabbats (aka "celebrations") comprising the Pagan Wheel of the Year, this Sabbat commemorates the renewal of Spring following the desolation of winter. Ostara/ Ēostre embodies the fresh vitality of the spring season, depicted as the youthful Maiden of Spring, with her radiant crescent-shaped smile marking the emergence of life from the dark grasp of the previous colder months. Over time, as Christianity spread west across Europe, the celebration of Ēostre was renamed as "Easter", which is the assimilation of the traditional Ostara celebration into its own observance of rebirth and resurrection, reflected in the story of Jesus and his resurrection.
Fast forward a few months to Beltane, the ancient Gaelic festival of spring which has been celebrated for thousands of years in Ireland, Scotland, and other parts of Europe. This Sabbat marks the halfway point between the spring equinox (Ostara) and the summer solstice (Litha or Midsummer) - with the name "Beltane" originating from the Celtic word "bel," meaning bright, and "tene," meaning fire. On this holiday we celebrate the return of the sun and the coming of summer with rituals consisting of fire, flowers, ribbon, and more! It is celebrated on May 1st in the Northern Hemisphere and November 1st in the Southern Hemisphere, and can last upwards of 5+ days.
May Day, which is celebrated on May 1, the same day in Irish and Scottish cultures, has similar roots and celebrates the return of spring. In ancient Rome, Floralia was celebrated from April 28 to May 3 to honor the goddess Flora and the coming of spring. Similarly, in Germanic cultures, Walpurgisnacht, also knowns as the night of the witches in Germanic pagan and Catholic cultures, is observed on the night of April 30th and also celebrates the return of spring.
Through ritual and ceremony, we can connect with the energy of the season and set intentions for the months ahead. Overall, Ostara, Beltane and the spring season are an opportunity to embrace new beginnings, growth, and abundance, and to let go of the old and embrace the new with open arms!
Follow below for a guided ritual using our Growth & Fertility Ritual Kit!
1. To begin, set up your altar space and decorate it with your musings for the season. This can be images or representations of deities, photographs of dearly departed loved ones, flowers, or anything that connects you to the season's energy. Arrange the crystals on your altar or table, placing the Shiva Lingham in the center, the quartz to the left, and the amethyst to the right. Place the candles in between the crystals.
2. Next, consecrate your sacred space by lighting the white sage and using the feather tool to waft the sacred smoke in the area, cleansing the space of any negative energy.
3. Next, anoint the candles with jasmine essential oil and light them using a match, starting with the green candle and then the pink candle. As you light the candles, visualize the energy of new beginnings and growth filling the space.
4. Sprinkle some of the dried rose petals, cedar, and lavender around the altar or table, and ignite a small sprig, petal, or blossom of your choosing from the included bouquet. Use the feather tool to waft the smoke and a dish to catch the ashes. Allow their fragrances and energies to fill the space. Take a moment to meditate on the energy of the season and your intentions for the coming months.
5. When you are ready, call in any deities you connect with to aid in making the spring season successful and bountiful for you. Some to consider are:
6. Take the palo santo and ignite it over one of the candle's flames. Use the feather tool and use it to direct the smoke from the palo santo over your crystals, candles, and offerings, cleansing and charging them with positive energy, and welcoming positive spirits and protection for the months ahead.
7. Close the ritual by thanking the spirits and deities that you have called upon. Allow the candles to extinguish themselves, which takes about an hour.
