Ostara is the season of the spring equinox, and falls on or around March 21 in the northern hemisphere - it's in September if you're below the equator. This time of year has plenty of folklore and tradition connected to it. From the festivals of ancient Rome to the colorful egg hunt, learn about some of the customs surrounding the spring season.

1. History of Ostara, The Spring Equinox

The word Ostara is just one of the names applied to the celebration of the spring equinox. It's also the season of the Christian Easter holiday, the Jewish Passover celebration, and a number of other events. Let's look at how this modern-day Sabbat is rooted in some ancient customs.More »

2. Floralia: The Roman May Day Celebration

Long before the medieval peasantry of the British Isles erected their Maypoles, the ancient Romans were partying hard in honor of Flora, their spring fertility goddess. She had her very own festival, called the Floralia, and there was all kinds of merrymaking going on!More »

3. Beware the Ides of March!

March 15th is known as the Ides of March, and seems to come with dire warnings attached. Learn a bit about why this day is seen as a dangerous time for some people!More »

4. Deities of the Spring Equinox

A number of Pagan deities are associated with the spring equinox. No matter what your tradition, chances are good that there's a god or goddess tied in with the fertility and rebirth of spring.More »

5. Are Easter Eggs Pagan?

Are Easter eggs considered Pagan tradition or not? After all, the egg is a fertility symbol... but how did the egg come to be associated with rabbits and the resurrection story?More »

6. Eostre - Ancient Goddess or NeoPagan Fancy?

Eostre is frequently mentioned in NeoPagan writings, but it's pretty hard to find any scholarly information about her. Is Eostre truly a goddess of early Germanic peoples, or is she the product of modern imaginations?More »

7. Matronalia - the Roman Festival of Motherhood

The ancient Romans, who loved a good festival, set a day to celebrate the Matronalia. It eventually evolved into Mother's Day, which falls in mid-May, but was originally set aside as March 1, and was dedicated to honoring a goddess of childbirth and motherhood.More »

8. Spring Equinox Celebrations Around the World

Although for many Pagans this time of year is known as Ostara, plenty other cultures and belief systems embrace the Spring Equinox as a time of celebration. Learn about some of the many holidays and festivals held around the world.More »

9. St. Patrick and the Snakes

St. Patrick is known as a symbol of Ireland, particularly around every March. One of the reasons he's so famous is because he supposedly drove the snakes out of Ireland, and was even credited with a miracle for this. Some people believe that the serpent was actually a metaphor for the early Pagan faiths of Ireland. Let's look at who St. Patrick was, and whether or not he's responsible for eliminating Paganism from early Ireland.More »

10. Can You Really Balance an Egg on the Equinox?

There's a popular trick of balancing an egg on its end that many people like to do on the equinox, in both the spring and the fall. But is this really equinox magic, or is it just a bit of basic science?More »

11. Do Pagans Celebrate Lent?

Do Pagans celebrate Lent? Not really, because it's not a Pagan holiday - however, some of our readers like to use the Lenten season as a time of cleansing and reflection. If you feel the need to incorporate the themes of sacrifice and cleansing into your spiritual practice, be sure to read some of the ideas our readers have shared for the Lent season.

 

Are you planning your Ostara celebrations? Sign up for the free Seven Day Sabbat Ostara e-class!More »