Spring Equinox
The Spring Equinox / Ostara.
So what is the Spring Equinox and when is it?
Before you try to balance that egg or broom take a read.
This event marks the astronomical first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
The March equinox (aka spring equinox or vernal equinox) occurs when the Sun crosses the equator line, heading north in the sky.
This event marks the start of spring in the northern half of the globe. After this date, the Northern Hemisphere begins to be tilted more toward the Sun, resulting in increasing daylight hours and warming temperatures. (In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the opposite)
The dates change each year a bit but it's usually around March 20-22.
Now that we covered the technical of the day.
Have you ever wondered why Easter is celebrated with eggs and a bunny and a resurrection?
There is a tale that Ostara, the ancient Germanic goddess of the spring, transformed a bird into a hare, and the hare responded by laying colored eggs for her festival.
A variation to this tale is
Eostre (yow·str) found a bird, wounded, on the ground late in winter. To save its life, she transformed it into a hare. But "the transformation was not a complete one. The bird took the appearance of a hare but retained the ability to lay eggs...the hare would decorate these eggs and leave them as gifts to Eostre."
Now Ostara and Eostre are the same Goddess before I confuse anyone.
The origin of Ostara Is a mystery however we do know that Eostre is where the word easter is derived from.
In ancient Rome, the followers of Cybele believed that their goddess had a consort who was born via a virgin birth. His name was Attis, and he died and was resurrected each year during the time of the vernal equinox on the Julian Calendar (between March 22 and March 25).
The story of the Roman god, Mithras, and his resurrection is another God honored at this time. Born at the winter solstice and resurrected in the spring, Mithras helped his followers ascend to the realm of light after death.
If you're interested this god has an exciting history.
On a Wiccan front Ostart is part of the turning of the wheel. It is considered a solar sabbat and is sacred to the young God. Most commonly known as the Greenman. Also sacred to the maiden Goddess. At this time of year, they are in their prime mating time. One reason this time of year is all about fertility.
On A more pagan/spiritual front, the Spring Equinox is about growth and rebirth. The land is thawed out from the winter, fields are able to be plowed, and flowers are blooming from their long winter sleep.
In some cases, people celebrate with fire as a way to celebrate the return of the light.
Eggs are a common symbol used for this time of year because they represent rebirth and fertility.
Old pagans would decorate them to make them beautiful and dedicate them to their Gods using lots of flowers and Greenery. Even today pagans decorate eggs and use them during this time of year.
Such a sacred thing you now see Christians doing for fun and games for kids. Not even knowing the history behind it.
Fun fact while we are talking about Christians.
The reason the date for easter changes each year is because it's based off of a pagan calendar. Easter happens the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox.
As a witch, this is a great time to start spring cleaning. Tossing out the old and in with the new. If you plan to plant any type of garden now is the time to start getting the soil ready for seedlings. Just like many of the farmers are out getting their fields ready for crops.
If you are a weaver this is a time special to you also Day and night are equal after today the days will become longer.
You can hold solitary rites or if you're part of a coven I'm sure they are doing some sort of ritual for the day. There are so many things you can do for the solstice! You can even collect some daffodils for your magical workings.
It's a great time to Decorate your altar or if you have a seasonal altar it's time to change it from winter to spring. Use flowers, rabbits, and Eggs as a way to remember mother earth is waking up from her deep winter slumber.
Remember that first line about a broom and an egg?
Well, it is said because the earth is all equal you can take an egg and balance It upright as well as a broom. This is another fun thing you can do. Give it a try for yourself.
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