Ostara 2025: Pagan Magic and the First Day of Spring
The Spring Equinox, also known as Ostara, marks the first day of spring and represents a time of balance between light and dark. Many pagans celebrate this seasonal shift with rituals and blessings honoring the spiritual meaning of renewal, growth, and fertility.
Spring is a happy occasion for those who follow pagan traditions. It welcomes longer, warmer days and the return of the sun. Many of us include rituals to connect with Nature’s rhythms and changing seasons.
I wasn’t quite sure how to write this article because, typically, Wiccans celebrate the holiday Ostara, while other spiritual practitioners (myself included) celebrate the Spring Equinox (I’ll go more into detail on this below). Due to this, I’ll be using the names Ostara and Spring Equinox interchangeably to ensure everyone feels included.
Please note that I make every effort to ensure this information is correct and accurate through my own experiences and referencing sources throughout AND at the bottom of this article.
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Table of Contents
What is Ostara? (Pagan Meaning of Spring Equinox)
Ostara is a pagan celebration honoring the moment when light and darkness are equal. From this moment on, the light will slowly become more powerful until it peaks around the Summer Solstice. Ostara celebrates renewal, growth, fertility, and new beginnings.
The earth is slowly exhaling after Winter’s long-held breath, bringing with it a happy, positive energy. It’s a great time for pagans, witches, and spiritual practitioners to align their intentions with Nature. What’s planted will take root and grow, whether it’s in your mind or physically in soil.
Most importantly, Ostara speaks the magic of becoming. In the same way a snake outgrows its skin or seedlings push through the final winter frost, we must overcome our own limitations.
Take your time and enjoy the energy of the Spring Equinox. Find ways to embrace change, even if it makes you a bit uncomfortable. Understand the power you have within yourself to shape what grows next.
Ostara Pronunciation
Ostara is pronounced Ah – star – ah or Oh-star-ah
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When is Ostara 2025 (Spring Equinox Date & Time)
The exact time of Ostara is determined by the moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator from south to north, marking the vernal equinox. This astronomical event occurs at a precise time worldwide, though the local time will vary depending on your time zone.
In 2025, Ostara and the Spring Equinox land on Thursday, March 20th, at 5:01 AM Eastern Standard Time.
Pagans, Witches, and spiritual practitioners celebrate the changing seasonal cycles through eight festivals, sometimes called the Wheel of the Year. Four (Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Samhain) come from Celtic history and origins, while the others (Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, Autumn Equinox, and Winter Solstice) follow the sun’s location.
The historical origin of Carnival is also obscure. It possibly has its roots in a primitive festival honouring the beginning of the new year and the rebirth of nature, though it is also possible that the beginnings of Carnival in Italy may be linked to the pagan Saturnalian festival of ancient Rome.
Britannica – Carnival
Many cultures celebrate the arrival of Spring, including the Hindu festival of Holi, Druids celebrate Alban Eiler, and some Roman Catholics celebrate Carnival.
Ostara vs. Eostre: Are the Goddesses Different?
When we discuss the origins and history of the Spring Equinox, two goddesses are often mentioned: Ostara and Eostre. Both goddesses are connected to themes of fertility, renewal, and the changing Spring season, but their origins and historical context are a bit vague.
Who Was Eostre?
The goddess Eostre (ee-ah-stray or a-oh-stray) is a topic of debate regarding the Spring Equinox pagan holiday. The only early written mention of her comes from the English monk named Bede in 725 CE (who you may remember from the Lupercalia article).
In his writings, Bede states that pre-Christian Anglo-Saxon pagans honored Eostre with feasts BEFORE Christians established the holiday of Easter. This suggests she was once a widely recognized goddess of Spring.
However, no other sources confirm Eostre worship by ancient pagans. In fact, historians have debated for years if she’s a real deity or simply a misunderstanding of local customs. Stephen Winick from the Library of Congress explains further:
Ostara herself is a shadowy figure in Germanic folklore. Her story begins with Eostre, an Anglo-Saxon goddess who is not documented from pagan sources at all, and turns up in only one early Christian source, the writings of the English churchman Bede.
Bede may have been right that there was such a goddess, or he may have been spreading the received wisdom of his era, and scholars have debated this point for years.
Stephen Winick – Library of Congress – Ostara and the Hare: Not Ancient, but Not As Modern As Some Skeptics Think
It’s important to remember Bede was a meticulous historian and the first to use AD and BC timelines; so many believe his account is a reliable source. However, critics argue he could have been repeating common beliefs of his time rather than recording hard factual evidence. So, you’ll have to decide for yourself, my peculiar friend.
Jacob Grimm’s Confusion: Merging Eostre and Ostara
Now let’s jump to 1835 when Jacob Grimm (yes, as in Grimms’ Fairy Tales) wrote Teutonic Mythology, Volume 1. Grimm believed Bede’s mention of Eostre was a local pagan variation of Ostara, the Germanic goddess of Spring. So he merged them into one deity.
Remember, this is Grimm’s hypothesis, and there is no evidence to support this claim. Historians debate whether Eostre ever existed or was worshipped, and many modern sources mistake Grimm’s ideas as fact.
Was Eostre a Real Goddess?
Honestly, we don’t know for sure. Some scholars argue Eostre was a real deity who was worshipped before written recordings. Others argue she was more of a symbolic figure or possibly a misunderstanding of more ancient Spring traditions.
Wiccan Ostara Celebrations
Ostara, as a Wiccan sabbat, is a more modern celebration. In his research article, Modern Pagan Festivals: A Study in the Nature of Tradition, historian Ronald Hutton notes that Gerald Gardner, the founder of Wicca in the early 1950s, didn’t want to celebrate the autumn and spring equinoxes.
However, Gardner’s High Priestess, Doreen Valiente, along with other coven members, encouraged him to add them. believing the balance of eight sabbats felt more complete. They believed having eight Wiccan sabbats created a more equal balance than having six.
Aidan Kelly and the Naming of Ostara
So how did the name Ostara get attached to Wiccan’s Spring Equinox celebrations? It can all be traced back to Aidan Kelly, who, in 1968, created the New Reformed Orthodox Order of the Golden Dawn while living in San Francisco.
Aidan Kelly drew inspiration from Gerald Gardner, Doreen Valiente, poet Robert Graves, and even J.R.R. Tolkien when writing his ceremonies and rituals. During this time, Aidan Kelly changed the name of the Spring Equinox pagan holiday to Ostara. In Kelly’s own words:
The spring equinox was almost a nonissue.
The Venerable Bede says that it was sacred to a Saxon Goddess, Ostara or Eostre, from whom we get the name “Easter,” which, almost everywhere else, is called something like “Pasch,” derived, of course, from Pesach.
Aidan Kelly – About Naming Ostara, Litha, and Mabon
Even if some of the origins remain uncertain, the Spring Equinox is a season of planting, renewal, and a celebration of hope. Feel free to celebrate it in a way that’s meaningful to you!
Ostara Correspondences for the Spring Equinox
Spring Equinox and Ostara correspondences are very helpful when creating an altar, doing ritual work, making recipes, or decorating your home for the spring season. Here are a few ideas to get you started!
Ostara Rituals and Celebrations for Spring
Pagan holidays are often portrayed as huge days of celebration, but they don’t need to be! A day dedicated to slow living and relaxation can be very spiritually fulfilling. You can create your own ritual ceremony for Ostara and the Spring Equinox by immersing yourself in the traditions of your family heritage, such as making food, practicing divination, or lighting candles.
Emulating and following the natural world around us is one of the best ways to honor Pagan holidays. Take a moment to consider how you may mirror Nature in your environment or local area. It’s also important to find ways you can bring love and joy into the lives of others! Here are a few more ideas to help you get started!
Moon Ritual for Confidence and Prosperity
This two-step ritual will help you align with Earth’s Spring Equinox energy and the power of the Moon Magic. It will bring joyful new beginnings, improve your confidence, and attract prosperity into your life.
In this spell, you’ll create an herbal sachet on the Spring Equinox and infuse it later with lunar energy under the Full Moon following Ostara.
Gather Your Supplies
- A small cloth bag or sachet
- Any combination of the following herbs:
- For prosperity: Basil, orange peels, cedar, cinnamon
- For confidence: Rosemary, spearmint
- Don’t let these ideas limit you; feel free to use any herbs that resonate with you!
- A private space to store the sachet (altar, sacred space, etc.)
- Access to the next Full Moon’s light (outdoors or a windowsill)
Create the Herbal Sachet on the Spring Equinox
Select the herbs of your choice. You don’t need to use all of them, just the ones you prefer. Just make sure the scents blend well together; no one wants a stinky herbal sachet. LOL!
Cleanse your space, center yourself, spiritually ground, and raise your vibration before beginning this spell. Hold each herb a moment and reflect on its spiritual intention and purpose before adding it to the sachet bag. Once all the herbs are inside, gently close the sachet and hold it in your hands.
Recite this chant aloud to set your intentions:
By earth and moon, my path is bright,
Prosperity flows, and my heart feels light.
My confidence shines, so strong and free,
Abundance always stays with me.
Store the sachet in a private place where it won’t be disturbed until the next full moon.
Charge It Under the Full Moon
On the night of the first Full Moon after Ostara, place your sachet beneath the moonlight (outside or on a windowsill) to absorb the lunar energy overnight.
If it’s March’s Worm Moon, it represents breaking through resistance, forging new paths, and embracing change. If it’s beneath the light of April’s Pink Moon, it symbolizes optimism, hope, and blossoming opportunities.
The next morning, retrieve your herbal sachet. This spell is now complete. You can carry the sachet with you in a pocket, backpack, or purse. You may also choose to place it on your altar, sacred space, or business office to continue drawing in confidence and prosperity.
Use Eggs in Your Spring Celebrations
Eggs are a powerful symbol of fertility, renewal, and hope, which makes them perfect for Ostara rituals and celebrations. You can easily write manifestations, spiritual symbols, or magical sigils on the shell before planting them beneath your garden plants. Watch your manifestations and dreams grow! I prefer to plant mine under my tomato plants, and they love the calcium!
Here’s a video I created showing you all my favorite ways to Use Eggs to Celebrate the Spring Equinox. You’ll learn how to blow out eggs and decorate them with papier mache (which makes for beautiful altar decorations infused with your personal magic).
I also show you how to turn eggshells into delicate tea light holders, casting a soft glow over your altar or sacred space (just remember to practice fire safety)! Lastly, I show you how to naturally dye eggs using ingredients like beets, blueberries, and strawberries with cumin for gorgeous, earthy hues.
Spring Equinox Journaling Prompts for Ostara
Working in your Grimoire, journal, or Wiccan Book of Shadows is a lovely way to slow down and connect with this season during the Spring Equinox. Here are 100+ ideas of what to include in your Grimoire.
Growth and Grounding Ostara Meditation
Meditation can be a powerful way to align with the spiritual energy of Ostara. It can help you step into the fresh, vibrant energy of Spring! Meditation helps you set intentions, ground yourself, and accept positive opportunities headed your way.
Focus on breathwork, visualization, and mindfulness to create balance in your life. This helps you mimic Nature as day and night are equal during Ostara.
If you need help, check out my 10-Minute Spring Equinox Guided Meditation for growth, grounding, and positive thinking. It’ll help you include Ostara’s happy energy and spiritual intentions.
A Happy Pagan Candle Ritual for Cleansing
Before you begin this spell, remember to physically clean your space. It’s important to include the mundane as well as the magical. Open your windows, let the fresh air in, and dance around with a broom like you’re performing at the Grammys.
Scrub, sweep, and declutter with intention because every cloth wiped or surface dusted is a cleansing reset for your home, altar, or sacred space.
- Need Help Choosing a Candle Type? Watch my Candle Magic: Beginner Basics
- Want to Learn How to Anoint Your Candle? Check out my video How to Dress a Spell Candle
Gather Your Supplies
- A Candle (Any type or color works, but I recommend an orange chime candle because it represents solar energy, happiness, and creativity)
- A Lighter or Matches
- Safe Holder to Burn a Candle
- Optional: Anointing Herbs
- Use whatever you like. I’d recommend:
- Lavender (peace, cleansing, happiness)
- Cinnamon (healing, success, good luck)
- Use whatever you like. I’d recommend:
I hope you found this article about Ostara 2025 helpful! Lots of love to you, and remember, as always…
Sources
Teutonic Mythology, Volume 1 By Jacob Grimm
Modern Pagan Festivals: A Study in the Nature of Tradition
Ostara: Rituals, Recipes & Lore for the Spring Equinox
Further suggested reading:
