Ostara is one of those Sabbats where myth, folklore, and modern Pagan tradition weave together beautifully. Some of the stories reach deep into history, while others have been lovingly pieced together over time. Yet all of them point toward the same simple truth: this is a season of renewal, balance, and returning life.
The name “Ostara” is often connected to the Germanic spring goddess Eostre. Our earliest written reference to her comes from the 8th-century monk Bede, who described a spring month named after the goddess in his work De temporum ratione (The Reckoning of Time). According to Bede, feasts were once held in her honor during this time of year when winter was loosening its grip and the land was beginning to awaken.
Unfortunately, history leaves us only this brief glimpse of Eostre. No myths survive describing her stories, sacred animals, or temples. Because of this, much of what modern Pagans understand about the goddess and her festival has been thoughtfully reconstructed using seasonal traditions, folklore, and symbols that have long been associated with spring.
What we do know with certainty is that the spring equinox itself has been honored for thousands of years. Across many cultures, the moment when day and night stand in equal balance was seen as a turning point in the year. Winter had not completely vanished, but the growing strength of the sun made it clear that warmer days were coming.
For people who depended directly on the land, this shift carried enormous meaning. Fields would soon be planted. Animals would give birth. Streams would swell with melting snow. The entire natural world seemed to move from stillness into motion again.
It is no surprise that many of the symbols associated with this season reflect the theme of life returning after dormancy.
One of the most enduring symbols of Ostara is the egg. Long before modern holiday traditions developed, eggs were recognized as powerful representations of fertility and new life. In fact, the image of a cosmic or world egg appears in creation myths across several ancient cultures. Within its fragile shell lies the potential for life itself — something hidden, protected, and waiting for the right moment to emerge.
That symbolism fits beautifully with the rhythm of early spring. Beneath the soil, seeds that have rested quietly through the winter begin to stir. Roots push downward while shoots reach toward the sun. What once looked like a lifeless landscape slowly fills with movement and color again.
For our ancestors, eggs also carried a practical importance that made them even more meaningful. During the dark months of winter, hens produced very few eggs because of the limited daylight. But as spring arrived and the days grew longer, egg laying increased dramatically. After months of scarcity, fresh eggs once again became a reliable source of nourishment.
This simple return of food was a small miracle in itself.
It is easy to imagine families greeting those first baskets of eggs with relief and gratitude. Over time, decorating them with natural dyes made from berries, flowers, herbs, and onion skins became a joyful way of honoring the season. The bright colors mirrored the changing landscape — yellow blossoms, fresh green leaves, and the soft pastels of early spring flowers.
Another creature often connected with this season is the hare. Known for its quick movements and energetic behavior during the spring months, the hare became a natural symbol of fertility and vitality in European folklore. In some traditions it was even associated with the moon, adding another layer of mystery to its appearance in seasonal symbolism.
Folklore from parts of Europe also tells stories connecting the hare with the colored eggs of spring and sometimes even with the goddess herself. These tales helped inspire later seasonal traditions that many people still recognize today. While the details vary from one story to another, they all reflect the same theme — the joyful return of life, color, and abundance after the quiet months of winter.
For modern Wiccans and Pagans, Ostara celebrates the spring equinox, usually occurring around March 20 or 21 in the Northern Hemisphere. On this day, sunlight and darkness share equal hours, creating a moment of perfect balance in the cycle of the year.
From this point forward, the light continues to grow stronger each day.
Gardens begin to awaken. Birds gather nesting materials. Buds appear on branches that only weeks before looked bare and lifeless. The land itself seems to take a long breath after the quiet stillness of winter.
Whether through ancient symbols like the egg, seasonal folklore, or modern spiritual practice, Ostara invites us to pause and recognize this turning of the wheel.
It reminds us that balance always returns.
That life continues to renew itself.
And that even after the longest winter, the quiet promise of spring is always waiting just beneath the surface.
If you’re interested in the folklore of the hare and colored eggs you can read: The Hare’s Gift: Ostara Eggs & the Story Behind the Colored Shell
