The Wheel of the Year - Ostara

The movements of the Sun and the changing seasons can pass by largely unnoticed by many of us. We might notice the increasingly earlier dusk in Autumn or the lengthening of the days in Spring, but inside our homes, with lights and heating, it is sometimes easy to forget to tune in to the Wheel of the Year and the seasonal changes.

In previous times, when we were mostly farmers, travellers and otherwise workers outside of the house, the seasons and the movements of the Sun were fundamentally important. And the Spring Equinox, known as Ostara, would have been an important marker on the pagan calendar.

During Ostara, the Earth's tilt to the Sun is so that on all parts of the Earth day and night are equal. In the Northern Hemisphere, after Ostara, the days lengthen as the Earth is tilting more towards the Sun. Whereas in the Southern Hemisphere, the darkness would now start to take over as they prepare for Winter.

This is a great time to celebrate the rebirth of the soil and the land. Ostara is known as a time of fertility and abundance, a season to welcome back life after the cold, dark Winter. Spring is the time of year when the cycle of life, death and rebirth is complete. As plants bloom and new life returns, the theme of resurrection is ever present. For that has gone dormant to become revitalised, alive and reborn.

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To get an idea of what colours are appropriate for Spring, all you really have to do is look outside. Decorate your altar in any of these colors. Notice the yellows of the daffodils blooming behind your house, the purples of bluebells, and the greens of new leaves popping up everywhere. Pastels are often considered Spring colours as well, so feel free to add some pinks and blues into the mix. You can use any crystals with those colours or coloured candles. Candles are great to honour the Sun and celebrate the return of warmth and light.

Since Ostara is also a time of new growth and life, you can add potted plants such as new crocuses, daffodils, lilies, and other newly planted bulbs or seedlings to your altar.

This is the time of year when animals are bringing forth new life too. You can put a little basket of eggs on your altar, or figures of new lambs, rabbits, and calves. You might want to add a chalice of milk or honey. The milk represents the lactating animals who have just given birth, and honey is long known as a symbol of abundance.

Allow nature to be your guide, and find your inspiration there. Go for a Spring walk, harvest fallen items from the woods and meadows and other areas near your home, and bring them home to place on your altar to celebrate the season.

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