The spring equinox, also known as Ostara or Eostre, is a pagan celebration that marks the arrival of spring and the balance between light and darkness. This ancient festival has roots in various cultures and has been embraced by modern pagans worldwide. During the spring equinox, the Earth's axis is not tilted towards or away from the sun, resulting in equal lengths of day and night. This astronomical event has long been associated with fertility, rebirth, and renewal. Pagans view this time of year as a powerful moment of transition and an opportunity to reconnect with the natural world. One of the key aspects of the pagan celebration of the spring equinox is the honoring of the goddess Eostre or Ostara.
One of the key aspects of the pagan celebration of the spring equinox is the honoring of the goddess Eostre or Ostara. She is often associated with the fertility of the land and the coming of spring. Many rituals and customs during this time revolve around paying homage to her, such as lighting bonfires, decorating eggs, and offering flowers and fruits.
Celebrating the Spring Equinox as a Christian (with a blessing)
Today is the Spring Equinox in the northern hemisphere. The sky is slightly overcast this morning but the sun is breaking through, important since we also experience a rare solar eclipse today.
I love marking the seasons. It’s still a relatively new practise for me, and I tend to make it up as I go along. “Happy Spring Equinox!” I greeted Rasmus with when he came downstairs this morning. “OK…” was the response, which made me giggle. I know, they are not the most know, anticipated or celebrated of days, especially for Christians like us, who often come with a healthy dose of skepticism to anything that sounds remotely pagan.
But there is so much blessing and wisdom to be found in embracing the annual cycle of the seasons, to allowing these calendar days to remind us to stop and notice that time is moving, that there is this amazing rhythm and life force within the world, keeping it all moving, keeping us alive.
Learning to live within and celebrate the natural cycles of the years is a reminder of one of the first things we ever learn in Sunday school: that God is Creator. This life force that keeps us spinning on this little planet, that prompts the animals to wake from their winter hibernation, prods the seeds to begin unfurling and pushing up through the dark earth towards the light, guides the wild geese back on their annual flight to their summer home.
The more I learn to live within and celebrate these seasonal shifts, the more wonder I have for the way it all holds together, the incredible force and energy in this world, the stunning beauty of it all.
Today, the lightness and darkness are in perfect balance. We are midway between the winter solstice (just before Christmas) and the summer solstice in June. Equal light and equal dark. It reminds me to check how balanced my own life is right now.
Where is the balance between work and rest? Between body and spirit? Between my emotions and my mind?
We’re also on this side of the summer solstice, moving towards the light, longer days, drawn out evenings. Spring has definitely sprung here in Luxembourg. The parks are a blaze of crocuses, with the daffodils beginning to bloom as well. The days are warmer, heavy coats being discarded for lighter jackets. And there’s a new sense of energy again as we get out of the house more, enjoy the warmer brighter days after the long cold winter.
It’s a moment to do an emotional and mental spring clean. Some years I have chosen this day to clean the windows as a spiritual practice that allows me to think about where I could do with sweeping away some inner cobwebs and built up layers of grime, allow a little more light into the dark corners.
And there’s this amazing sense of renewal and rebirth all around us! We are just a few weeks from Easter, our greatest celebration of rebirth and resurrection. And part of the Christian calendar is to practice this season of Lent before Easter, a time of reflection and repentance. Traditionally we banish flowers from the church, don’t utter Hallelujah throughout this season, deny ourselves some of the things we desire to remind ourselves of the deeper desires of our heart.
There is so much wisdom to be found practicing Lent. And yet it seems like the whole world is already celebrating ahead of us! Rebirth is happening all around us these days, pointing us to the truth that it is happening in us too. And so I do the work of Lent, the spring cleaning of the windows of my soul, checking the balance in my own life and making steps to correct it when I’m all wonky. And at the same time I remember to rejoice in this work of rebirth in me which is so gradual and yet so powerful.
Spring brings such potential and fertility. The equinox today asks of me, what is awakening in you? What is ready to blossom? And what are you being called to give your energy to in this coming season of light?
Wishing you a blessed equinox today!
May you find the balance you desire and need,
light and dark,
spirit and body,
mind and soul.May you recognise the gradual powerful rebirth
happening within you.May you awaken to the potential
and the blossoming
of your own self.And like the wild geese,
May you find your way home.
Live in the southern hemisphere? Happy Autumn Equinox to you! You can read past posts here and here.
The dark half of the year (fall and winter) are all about introversion, rest, reflection, and working within the spirit realm. The bright half of the year, which begins on Ostara, is an invitation to return to the physical world, including the physical body, literal or metaphorical fertility, and the pleasures of food, flowers, and friends.
The use of symbols like eggs and rabbits during this celebration also holds great significance. Eggs are seen as a representation of new life and fertility, while rabbits symbolize abundance and the rapid growth of nature during the spring season. A common practice during the spring equinox is the creation of an altar or sacred space to honor the Earth and connect with its energies. This may involve arranging flowers, plants, and other natural elements and may incorporate the use of candles, crystals, and other tools to enhance the spiritual experience. Embracing the pagan celebration of the spring equinox allows individuals to tap into the energy of nature's cycles and acknowledge the profound changes happening around them. It encourages a deep appreciation for the beauty and vitality of the natural world and offers an opportunity for personal growth and spiritual connection. Participating in rituals and customs associated with the spring equinox can be a meaningful experience, whether individually or as part of a community. It provides a way to honor the changing of seasons and to celebrate the life-giving energy of the sun. By embracing this ancient pagan celebration, individuals can reconnect with the cycles of nature, foster a sense of unity with the Earth, and find inspiration for personal growth and transformation. The spring equinox offers a chance to celebrate the arrival of spring and the gifts of renewal and rebirth that it brings..
Reviews for "Discovering the Ancient Roots of the Spring Equinox Pagan Celebration"
1. Robert - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Embracing the pagan celebration of the spring equinox". I expected a more informative and educational book about the origins and traditions of spring equinox celebrations. However, the book was full of personal anecdotes and opinions from the author, which made it feel more like a memoir than a factual account. I would have liked to see more research and references to back up the claims made in the book. Overall, it didn't meet my expectations and I wouldn't recommend it to someone looking for a deeper understanding of pagan traditions.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I couldn't get through "Embracing the pagan celebration of the spring equinox". The writing style was bland and repetitive, and I felt like I was reading the same information over and over again. The author's personal bias towards paganism was also evident throughout the book, which made it difficult for me to engage with the content. I was hoping to learn more about the history and cultural significance of the spring equinox, but this book failed to deliver on that front. I would advise others to look elsewhere for a more comprehensive and objective exploration of this topic.
3. John - 2/5 stars - "Embracing the pagan celebration of the spring equinox" was a letdown for me. I expected a more balanced and inclusive perspective on the spring equinox celebrations, but instead, the book focused solely on pagan traditions. As someone who is not interested in or affiliated with pagan practices, I found it difficult to connect with the content. I think the author missed an opportunity to explore the spring equinox from a broader cultural and historical standpoint, which would have made the book more accessible to a wider audience. Overall, it felt exclusionary and limited in its scope.