Spring is one of the most beautiful seasons when new life is created, and nature begins to come alive. It’s also when we celebrate the festival of Eostre and sow the seeds for what we want to accomplish in the upcoming year. For millennia, people have celebrated Eostre and the fertility it promotes, welcoming in the hope of new life and the joy that it brings.
What Is Eostre?
Eostre is the spring festival of fertility honoring the goddess of the dawn, Eostre. Eostre’s name means East, coming from the area the sun rises and signifies new life and new beginnings. Eostre is the time when you can plant seeds both physically in the earth and metaphorically in your life, paving the way for you to accomplish new and exciting things in the upcoming year.
What Are The Origins Of Eostre?
Eostre origins come from Germanic and Celtic roots, but many different cultures have celebrated similar festivals for thousands of years. The ancient Romans honored Cybelle, mother of the gods, and her mate Attis. Indigenous Mayans celebrated the serpent god Kukulcan, and the Persians continue to celebrate a form of Eostre called Nowruz. It’s truly amazing how many cultures spanning the centuries have celebrated this revered festival.
How Eostre Was Celebrated In The Past?
The festival of Eostre is historically celebrated with a large feast full of joy and happiness. The earth’s fertility is celebrated, and the hope of new life is met with hopeful expectations!
How Do We Celebrate Eostre Today?
Chances are, you’re familiar with Eostre celebrations, as they are prevalent all around. Eostre is celebrated with symbols of fertility, the rabbit, and eggs. Rabbits are revered for their ability to reproduce quickly, and eggs are a literal symbol of fertility. Other celebratory symbols include:
- Colors – Lavender, green, and yellow
- Animals – Rabbits, lambs, chickens, and birds
- Plants – Asparagus, lettuce, and peas
- Flowers – Violets, Daffodils, and Forsythia
- Crystals – Moss Agate and Sunstone
There are many ways you can celebrate Eostre by yourself or together with others. Some of the most popular include:
- Planting seeds – Plant future pollinators to attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies
- Drink dandelion tea
- Cook with eggs and spring produce
- Dye eggs the traditional Eostre colors
- Go for a nature walk
- Make crafts with eggs, rabbits, or flowers
- Make and wear a flower crown
- Throw a feast featuring conventional Eostra foods like eggs and the produce listed above
Eostra is a beloved Wiccan festival that celebrates new life and fertility. Thrown during springtime, it honors the goddess Eostra and encourages sowing seeds to accomplish new and exciting things in the year to come. Whether you celebrate with yourself or with others, the festival of Eostra brings happiness and hope for what the year ahead will bring! It’s a time when you can leave bad habits and patterns in the past and cleanse yourself for the future ahead.