Ostara
Colors
Grass Green, Yellow, Pink, All Pastels, Robin's Egg Blue
Other Names
Eostre's Day, Spring Equinox, Vernal Equinox, Alban Eiber, Bacchanalia, Lady Day.
Symbols
Eggs, New Moon, Butterflies/Cocoons.
Deities
Youthful and virgile God and Goddess.
Activities
Dyeing Eggs, Looking for Spring Growth.
Animals
Rabbits and Snakes.
Stones
Aquamarine, Rose Quartz, Moonstone.
Plants
Crocus, Daffodil, Jasmine, Irish Moss, Snowdrop, Ginger.
Meaning
Balance, New Life/Rebirth, Goddess and God in Youth, End of Winter (Non-Celtic), Light Overtaking Darkness.
Ritual Oils
Lotus, Magnolia, Ginger.
Lore
A traditional Vernal Equinox pastime: go to a field and randomly collect wildflowers (be sure to thank the flowers for their sacrifice before picking them). Or, buy some from a florist, taking one or two of those that appeal to you. Then bring them home and divine their magickal meanings by the use of books, your own tuition, a pendulum or by other means. The flowers you've chosen reveal your inner thoughts and emotions.
It is important at this time of renewed life to plan a walk (or ride) through gardens, a park, woodlands, forest and other green places. This is not simply excercise, and you should be on no other mission. It isn't even just an appreciation of nature. Make your walk celebratory, a ritual for nature itself.
Other traditional activities include planting seeds, working on magickal gardens and practicing all forms of herb work- magickal, medicinal, cosmetic, culinary and artistic.
Food
Foods in tune with this day (linking your meals with the seasons is a fine method of attuning with nature) include those made of seeds, such as sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds, as well as pine nuts. Sprouts are equally appropriate, as are leafy, green vegetables. Flower dishes such as stuffed naturtiums or carnation cupcakes also find their place here.
