What's known as the ”Wheel of the Year” is a series of ancient traditions and celebrations that honor the cycles of the Earth as she shifts, through what we understand as the seasons.
Ostara - Spring Equinox
As the Wheel of the Year turns to Ostara, we find ourselves in a time of renewal, balance, and awakening. Mother Earth is shaking off the last of her long, dreamy slumber, and all of life begins to wake up and revive itself.
Here in the North, however, we are often still blanketed in snow and only the heartiest of sprouts and stoutest of birds are seen peeking their heads out. But, no matter how thick the snow cover is, there is a palpable sense of excitement in the air, and we know the Sun’s warmth will soon melt the snow to nourish the abundance of life growing within.
Marking the Spring Equinox , we recognize the delicate balance between light and dark, both in the Sun's journey across our skies and the spiritual journey within ourselves.
Ostara and the Spring Equinox are celebrated in the Northern Hemisphere around March 19-21 each year, when day and night are in equal balance for just a moment, before the light wins out and our day’s start to lengthen. It’s a pivotal moment of harmony and a reminder that finding balance also means letting go to make space for fresh energies.
Ostara reminds us to eagerly embrace the magic of life’s revitalization, where the seeds we energized at Imbolc are now ready to burst forth and bloom.
Celebrating the Re-awakening of the Earth
For me, Ostara represents the vibrant fertility and abundant rush of energy that comes with the warmer temperatures and the lengthening of daylight. This is the time when I plant the seeds I picked out at Imbolc that will eventually cover my farm in beauty, food, and medicine. Of course, this is usually done in the protection of my greenhouse, but none the less, it’s an intentional act of connecting with the energy of creation, and nurturing our dreams into reality.
Why do we call it Ostara?
As with many things, tracing the origins of Ostara (or Eostre or Oestre, depending on how far back you go) can send scholars into a tizzy of debates. Without getting too deep into it, Ostara is the name of a Germanic goddess associated with Spring, fertility and the Dawn. In connecting her with the Spring Equinox, she serves as a guide to honor the Earth’s awakening from winter, the renewal of energy, and the balance needed to create a harmonious life.
Finding Balance
In all honesty, finding balance is a challenge for me! So, having at least two points on the wheel that compel me to acknowledge and confront this struggle not only helps me find ways to be better, but also grants me the grace to continue the journey of trying. We ebb and flow, rise and fall, on a rollercoaster of emotions, aspirations, and energies…but that’s life! How could we ever hope to find balance if we didn’t experience those edges?
Embracing Renewal
Ok, so I have to say a few words about Spring cleaning. There is just something truly magical about throwing open the windows this time of the year and letting all the 'end of winter energies' leave with the wind. When I do get the chance to actually “Spring Clean” my 100+ yr old house, it feels like we both can take a deep breath again.
Other Options for Celebrating
Ostara is all about revitalizing your energy and creativity. Traditional crafts like decorating eggs (a fertility symbol as old as the Cosmic Egg itself), can take on a deeper meaning by writing sigils or words of intention on them. Spend some time completing projects or getting rid of things that you no longer need - donating items is a great way to give them an opportunity for renewed life. Planting seeds, either in the literal sense, or journaling or meditating on the “seeds” of new endeavors you want to cultivate is also a great option. And if I can impress anything more strongly…GET OUTSIDE AND PUT YOUR BARE FEET ON THE GROUND!! Connecting with our Mother Earth and feeling her energy rising and renewing is one of the best medicines for rejuvenating the spirit and grounding the soul.
Questions to Help You Start Your Practice
What seeds of intention do you want cultivate this season?
What areas of your life feel out of balance? What steps can you take to bring them more into balance?
How can you incorporate more time in nature into your daily ritual?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hi there! I'm Shannon Bueche, and this is my space to share what's on my mind, as concisely as my Virgo brain will allow. Not only do I 'spill the tea' on some common misconceptions, but I also like to drink it while I'm running down the rabbit holes of the hows and whys of what I do to harmonize with the greater connections of life.
Whether it's living, growing, and harvesting in tune with the cycles of the year, the struggles of being human in this age, or just the random musings of an everyday Earth Mother, you'll find it all here. I believe in keeping things authentic, but still practical. So, while I may overshare details from time-to-time, I will always offer suggestions that make sense for living right now.
So, grab a cup, sit a spell, and join me on this journey of living from the ground up.
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