Spring Equinox and Ostara
Welcoming light and contemplating lost knowledge
Today we celebrate spring equinox, and as I have previously mentioned - with the arrival of the spring light and sounds of life - chirping birds, the thrum of a woodpecker and buzzing of flies - I feel life return to myself. So, today is a day to be grateful we have survived another winter, and be grateful for the return of the light and warmth. As a photographer, the return of light is something I value dearly. Have you read my post on the importance of light?
Drawing with Light
The morning light shines in through the kitchen window and is filtered through my hair, giving it a warm tone and making it seem like a golden lens flare dancing in my peripheral vision. It puts a smile on my face.
Last year I read up on some history and folklore about the predecessor to Easter. As with most religious holidays, they are based on old folk traditions (more ‘pagan’ traditions if you will) and have since been converted to Christianity as well as commercialised. With that, we have lost an important part of what the older traditions were helping us with:
Staying grounded. Living in tune with nature, and following the seasons as they change. Because living with nature is so important for our well-being. And it used to be vital for survival as well, knowing when to plant seeds, when to harvest, and how and what to store over winter to ensure we always had food available. Knowledge and a mindset that are lost to the modern world.
Easter has its roots in Ostara (named after the German Goddess of Spring), a pagan solar holiday honoring spring’s warmth, light from the sun, and the awakening of the earth. The lore of an Easter bunny (that was actually a hare, ‘Osterhase’ in German) and eggs has many old traditions, mainly in Germany. There is a legend that the Goddess Ostara, at the end of winter, found a wounded bird, and in order to save it, she turned it into a rabbit. But the transformation did not fully become complete; the hare was still able to lay eggs. He brought these as a gift to the Goddess after painting them in bright colors.
Isn’t it interesting that we now see bunnies, eggs, and feathers sold everywhere around Easter, partially as a symbol for the holiday, but also just pieces in the game that is consumerism? Yet another theme stores can shove in our face to get people to buy things they don’t really need…
Celebrating the arrival of light and warmth
Our inside plants look like they are perking up now that the days are longer and have more light, and I try to care for them by giving them fresh soil and by rinsing off their leaves so that no dust can stand in the way of photosynthesis. Planting flowers and seeds for your garden is a great seasonal activity to do right now as well, in preparation for summer.
I have done some winter planting where I try to mimic what naturally happens in nature: The soil is covered in snow and as it slowly gets warmer and it melts the seeds get water and the sign to “wake up” and start growing.
Another good way to celebrate the season is by doing some spring cleaning. It does not have to be hard work or intense; we have shaken and hung a lot of rugs and bedding outside and started to keep windows open on warm days to get fresh air into the house. Do what’s manageable and enjoyable for you.
Spring cleaning and celebrating also need to happen on the inside. It’s important to take some time for yourself to reflect on the winter that has passed. How did it affect you, and what did you do to battle the darkness?
For me, winter seems to hit harder than it used to. I am not sure if it because I am older, or because winter weather wise isn’t as magical as it used to be (oh global warming and what not…) I end up not spend enough time outside, and as I result I feel like I am not keeping my body as active as I would like. So, I shall reflect on that while gratefully appreciating the arrival of spring, promising to make the most out of enjoying the season ahead of us.
Do you know much about older folk traditions and beliefs? Do you find it interesting? And, do you feel that you are intentionally aware of the seasons as they shift, and how it affects your life?
Live slow and stay wild / Rania
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Great post Rania. Yes I tend to follow the Wheel of the Year, celebrating each of the eight festivals with nature in some way...in fact I posted my first post on Substack at Imbolc, as I see this as the start of a new year...a time of renewal and new beginnings. It feels like The Wheel is far more in tune with natures cycle than the dates set meteorologically or through the church calendar. Ostara blessings to you 😊
Rania, I really enjoyed this post. Thank you for it. You reminded me of the importance of staying connected to what is around us and to nature. It is so easy to become lost or distracted by other things - but the connections and awareness you speak of are very important. Thank you again for the wonderful reminder and conversation.