Ostara - Spring Equinox

Ostara or Spring Equinox is celebrated each year in March. On that day, the sun would be on equator, and the day as well as night would be exactly equal. Equator is the imaginary line or latitude that encircles the earth’s center, dividing it into two equal halves or hemispheres. The upper one is the northern hemisphere, and the lower one is the southern hemisphere. Our sun shines directly on that line twice in any year. Spring equinox, however, is the one that announces arrival of spring, which is followed by summer. The other equinox is referred to as the autumn equinox, because it is followed by autumn and then winter. Since summers in Northern and southern hemispheres differ, calling the equinox in March as the Spring Equinox would not be exactly right for everybody.

In fact, even in Northern hemisphere, there are several places where snow and bitter cold would be around for some time more. Therefore, spring equinox is not likely to really usher in spring in Siberia, or even northeastern parts of the United States. But people are happy enough to reach that date, as it is symbolic of hope, joy, and the end of the hardships in some way.

Not all religions celebrate this festival. In fact, Christians do refer to Ostara as a pagan festival. Nevertheless, the rituals, customs, and traditions of this festival are very appealing because they are a way to appreciate the nature, and its bounties. There is a lot of joy of course, after all, winter would be soon leaving, and almost everything around would spring back to life with colorful flowers and fruits, after the hibernation. So pictures of flowers, fruits, birds, and bees are used to send greetings of this festival just like snow, reindeers, and mistletoe form inseparable part of Christmas greetings.

Ostara is also known as vernal equinox. People get together, celebrating this occasion. They tie some bells and ring them as a way to announce the arrival of happy times. Chiming bells do create that impression. Of course, there are gods and goddesses responsible for all this. So these pagans offer prayers to them. Later in day, some form of entertainment is on cards, which is accompanied by some rich food, and wine. New clothes and food, prayers and dances mark the occasion.

Children are given bunnies and eggs. Eggs are often filled with sweets that they would relish. This custom has slowly crept into Easter, which comes around the same time each year. Pagans who celebrate Ostara greet each other with Merry Meet. And as they part, they say Merry Part. But the festival is not confined to Europe, and English speaking nations. Even in eastern countries like India, arrival of spring is celebrated with fun and gaiety. People don yellow color clothing signifying the arrival of sun. The dates, however, are different from the Vernal Equinox. .