Ostara

What is Ostara?

The name is a modern one. It comes from Ēostre, a spring goddess the English monk Bede wrote about in the eighth century, whose name also gave us Easter. Modern pagans took up the name Ostara for the equinox in the twentieth century.

The symbols are the ones spring has always had: eggs, hares, seeds and the first blossoms. It is a festival of balance and beginnings, a good moment to plant something, literally or otherwise.

The equinox sunrise at Loughcrew

In the Loughcrew hills in County Meath, a cluster of passage tombs as old as Newgrange, perhaps older, keeps its own appointment with the sun. On the mornings around both equinoxes, the rising sun shines into Cairn T and lights up stones carved with suns and flower-like patterns.

People still climb the hill before dawn to watch it happen.

Ways to mark Ostara at home

• Dye eggs naturally

  Onion skins give a deep amber, red cabbage a soft blue.

• Plant seeds

  A tray on the windowsill is enough. Herbs or wildflowers are forgiving.

• Walk at the balance point

  Take a walk at sunset on the equinox and notice how much light is left.

• Open the windows

  Let the first warm air through the house.