One thing in advance:
Ostara is a very controversial firm, whose origin is not clearly defined and is often associated with speculative or modern interpretations in connection.
Despite the controversial origin of Ostara, we want the Festival to have a closer look and in the myths of immersion, the about tendrils. Whence comes Ostara? What is the role it played in the story? What has this to do Ostara with Várblót to? And what Similarities there are with other spring celebrations? We dive into the fascinating world of this ancient Festival.
1. The meaning of the Name "Ostara"
Ostara is one of the eight-year celebrations in the Celtic year and the spring equinox is celebrated. It is a Festival of fertility, of light and of a new beginning. The nature is awakening from the winter sleep, and the balance between the light and the darkness brings with it new energy.
- The Name Ostara is often associated with the Germanic goddess Eostre - in connection.
- Eostre is a spring and fertility goddess, have been with dawn, light, and renewal associated was.
- However, there is only a single historical record by the venerable Bede in the 8th. Century.
Etymological Meaning
- Eostre is related to the old English Ēastre, from the later Easter (Easter) was.
- The root of- or east- means "dawn" or "East".
- The rising sun symbolizes the new beginning of spring.
Grimm's influence on the Ostara image
- Jacob Grimm (19. Jh.) handle Bedas report about Eostre , in German mythology (1835) on.
- He speculated about a Germanic spring goddess Ostara, and a self-titled Fixed.
- There is no historical evidence for such a Festival – the idea comes from speculative reconstructions.
- Nevertheless, it was the idea of Ostara of neo-heathens and Wicca taken.
Ostara and Alban Eiler
- Alban Eiler ("light of the earth") is a modern-day Celtic Festival is the spring equinox.
- It comes from the modern Celtic movement, and emphasized the balance of day and night.
- While it should have Celtic roots, lack of historical evidence for such a Festival in ancient times.
- Alban Eiler and Ostara are today in many neopagan traditions.
2. The Celtic year and the role of Ostara
Ostara is one of the eight festivals of the Celtic year, for the the natural cycles of the sun and earth oriented.
The eight-year celebrations of the Celtic year run:
Samhain 31. October - ancestor festival, the beginning of the Celtic year
Jul 21. December - winter solstice - rebirth of the light
Imbolc 1. February - the festival of lights, the return of the sun
Ostara 19.-23. March - spring equinox – balance of light and darkness, fertility
Beltane 30. April - Fertility celebration, the beginning of the summer
Litha 21. June - summer solstice - the highest position of the sun
Lughnasadh 1. August - First Harvest, Gratitude
Mabon 21.-23. September - autumn equinox - the time of harvest, the Balance of day and night
Ostara as a turning point in the year circle
Ostara is between Imbolc (festival of lights) and Beltaine (Fertility) . It is the time in which the sun's light and the nature in full force awakens.
During Imbolc for the first signs of spring, is Ostara, the Moment of equilibrium, where the light finally the darkness defeated. After that, it goes with Beltaine in the high spring, celebrates the growth and fertility of nature.
3. Várblót: The real spring festival in paganism?
What is Várblót?
Várblót is an old Nordic Festival in the spring is celebrated. The Name Várblót is made up of two Parts: Var – the Name of the goddess of fertility, growth and renewal of the earth is responsible and the blót, which in old Norse "victim" or "Fixed" means. The Feast was a Ritual to honour the gods and the spirits of nature, in which sacrifices were offered to pray for fertility and the benevolence of the gods for the coming growing season. Várblót was a time of renewal, growth and the Transition from Winter to spring.
Why celebrate the Gentiles, today, Várblót as Ostara?
Historical roots of Várblót:
Várblót has strong historical roots in the Nordic Tradition. It was an established Ritual, which is documented in ancient sources and traditions.
In contrast, based Ostara mainly on speculative reconstructions of the Works of Jacob Grimm and Beda Venerabilis come, with no clear historical evidence for such a Festival.
Connection to the Nordic spirituality:
For many modern pagans, particularly in the traditions of the Ásatrú or Norse paganism, is Várblót an authentic Celebration deep in the spiritual practices of the ancestors is rooted. This practice is a direct continuation of the old Norse religious traditions.
Ostara is often of the wiccan and neopagan movements celebrated the Feast with a spring-like symbols, such as eggs and rabbits connect – but without the deeper religious and cultural significance, the Várblót is wearing.
Sacrifices and rituals:
Várblót focuses on the sacrifices and rituals, and the gods are being offered for the coming year of prosperity and fertility to ask. These rituals are strongly associated with the Nordic religious practice, and often involving a sacrifice, such as Mead, beer, and other food.
At Ostara, the focus is more on the Celebration of spring with symbols of renewal and light, where the ritual character, and the deep spiritual significance in comparison to Várblót often less stress.
The gods and symbols:
In Várblót , in particular the Norse gods like Freya and Vár worshipped, while Ostara often as a General Celebration of light and growth without specific divine worship is being celebrated.
4. Similarities between Ostara and other spring celebrations
Ostara is the only Festival that is celebrated in the spring. Many cultures have similar celebrations:
Easter (Christianity)
Celebration of the resurrection of Jesus, a Symbol for new life
Nowruz (Persia)
New year same festival at the spring equinox, symbolizing renewal
Holi (Hinduism) – Color
stands for fertility and the victory of light over darkness
Chinese Spring Festival
Fixed for cleaning and a fresh start, the beginning of the new year in the Chinese calendar
Hilaria (Roman Empire)
To Cybele celebration in honor of the goddess, associated with fertility and joy
The fact that so many cultures similar to spring rituals, shows how deep the change is rooted in the times of the year in the human consciousness.
Conclusion
In summary, Ostara is a multi-layered festival whose origins and meaning are still not clearly understood. It combines historical, speculative and modern elements and shows the deep-rooted human longing for renewal and the transition from darkness to light. Whether as a celebration of fertility and light within the Celtic annual cycle, as a symbolic ritual in modern pagan movements or in comparison to other spring festivals around the world, Ostara and similar celebrations remind us how important the changing of the seasons is to us.
Ultimately, however, it is up to each individual to decide what they celebrate and what they believe in. Whether one chooses the symbolic meaning of Ostara, prefers the deeper spiritual practices of Várblót or connects with other traditions remains an individual choice. In the diversity of the festivals lies an invitation to self-reflection and to come into harmony with nature and the seasons.