The spring/vernal equinox, in Germanic traditions often called Ostara, inaugurates the new year on the Zodiacal calendar. From this point on, days are longer than the nights. Many mythologies regard this as the time of rebirth or return for vegetation gods (e.g. Attis) and celebrate the spring equinox as a time of great fertility.
Eggs Decorated For Ostara
Egg decorating is a very common tradition in vernal equinox celebrations throughout Europe.
Germanic pagans dedicate the holiday to their fertility goddess Ostara (the eastern star). She is notably associated with the fecund symbols of the hare and egg. Her teutonic name may be etymological ancestor of the words east and Easter.
Animal: Cormorant, Hare, Hawk, Rabbit, Sheep (Ram), Snake, Sparrow, Swallow
Colors: Pink, Green, Blue, Purple, White, Yellow
Days: March 20-23 Depending on year (Northern Hemisphere), September 21-23 Depending on year (Southern Hemisphere)
Elements: Air
Goddesses: Aphrodite, Ariadne, Artemis, Astarte, Athena, Coatlicue, Cybele, Demeter, Diana, Eos, Gaia, Hera, Idunn, Iris, Ishtar, Isis, Juno, Minerva, Ostara, Persephone, Venus, Vesta
Gods: Adonis, Attis, Cernunnons, the Dagda, Dumuzi, the Green Man, Mithras, Odin, Osiris, Pan
Minerals: Aquamarine, Moonstone, Rose Quartz
Ogham: Onn
Planets: Mars, Sun
Plants: Daffodil, Gorse, Honeysuckle, Lily, Rose, Violet
Seasons: Spring
Trees: Ash, Birch, Maple, Yew
Zodiac: Ares, Pisces
Issues, Intentions, & Powers: Fertility, Sunrise Ceremonies, Offerings to god(desse)s of spring and fertility
Some activities to celebrate Imbolc:
– Watch the sun rise and set
– Wreath making
– Color eggs
– Bless seeds for the garden
– Begin to germinate seeds
– Meditate on the balance of life
– Connect with your local fairies
– Alfrún