Ostara ~ September 21^st

Spring equinox marks the first time of the year when the length of the day equals the length of the night. The exact date changes each year, but it usually falls on the 21st or 22nd of September. It's also known as Eostre, or also Lady Day. Some Pagans refer to Beltane as Lady Day, as well so try not to get confused.

The name of this Sabbat comes from the Saxon Goddess of the Dawn, Eostre. Her symbols are the egg and the rabbit, and this is primarily why these fertility symbols are so prevalent even today. Coloured eggs were left as offerings to Her.

The God and Goddess have grown past their childhood and are falling in love. They will not consumate their sacred marriage until Beltane, but the fertility of their joining is already celebrated. New flowers are seen, new livestock is born, new projects are started. Everything is new and bursting with life.

Activities and Rituals: Planting seeds, working on magickal or herbal gardens, herbal work, taking walks through gardens, parks, woodlands, decorating and coloring eggs.

Incense: Floral of any type. jasmine, African violet, rose, sage, strawberry, violet flowers, orange peel, rose petals, lotus, magnolia, ginger
Tools:

Stones/Gems: Rose quartz, aquamarine, amethyst, jasper and moonstone
Colors: all pastels, yellow, pink, green, blue
Symbols & Decorations: Colored eggs, seeds, earth, flowers and herbs appropriate
Foods: Eggs, honey, bread,seeds, sprouts and green leafy vegetables

Drinks: Eggnog, wines, dandelion, lindon teas, hyssop
Deities :

Goddesses: Virgin Goddesses, Moon Goddesses, Goddesses of Love, Androgynous Deities, some Fertility Goddesses. Some Ostara Goddesses are: Aphrodite (Greek), Eostre (Teutonic), Ma-Ku (Chinese), Lady of the Lake (Welsh-Cornish), Minerva (Roman), Isis (Egyptian), Rheda (Anglo-Saxon), Coatlicue (Aztec)

Gods: Gods of Love, Moon Gods, Gods of Song & Dance, some Fertility Gods. Some Ostara Gods are: Adonis (Greek), Lord of the Greenwood (English), Ovis (Roman Etruscan), Dylan (Welsh), Odin (Norse), Osiris (Egyptian), Attis (Persian), Mithras (Greco Persian)

Herbs and Flowers: all spring flowers. irish moss, crocus flowers, daffodils, Easter lilies, honeysuckle, iris, jasmine, roses, strawberry, tansy and violets. Acorn, Celandine, Cinquefoil, Dandelion, Dogwood, Honeysuckle, Iris, Jasmine, Rose, Tansy, Violet

Animals: Hares, rabbits, snakes, unicorn, pegasus

Work: unknown at this point