Ostara is the second Sabbat of the year, looking at the Gregorian calendar. It is the Vernal (Spring) Equinox, and happens around March 21^st. While everyone around you is celebrating the start of Spring, you know it’s actually the middle, not the beginning.

That is, unless you’re in the southern hemisphere, where it’s the middle of Fall.

In the northern hemisphere, flowers and trees are beginning to bloom. What looked dead at Imbolc, is beginning to show signs of life. Wildlife is giving birth to a new generation of young. The breeze outside may still be crisp, but the days are warming.

There’s not a lot about this Sabbat historically. Very little was written, and what was written about it, comes from Christian era writers. Most of what you believe to be historic fact, is in fact, nothing but stories and conjecture. Most of it based on the Christian holiday of Easter, which happens between Ostara and Beltane.

Even so, much of what we enjoy about Ostara, is still worth celebrating, no matter the origin. Easter bunnies laying multi-colored eggs to be found by children and adults, is still as much fun as it ever was. We use these symbols to teach about the fertility this Sabbat acknowledges.

Even the Christians acknowledge Ostara, though they don’t realize it. Easter is the first Sunday, after the first Full Moon after the Spring Equinox. You really can’t get more pagan than that. This is also why Easter can be anywhere from the end of March, to the middle of April.

Ostara is the rebellious teen, so sure of Herself, and eating everything in sight. Ostara sees the dreams of Imbolc as the simple fantasies of a child. Ostara has bigger dreams. Anything and everything is possible for Ostara, She can conquer the world, if She tries! Ostara has discovered new abilities...and urges.

Ostara wants too be taken seriously as an adult. She wants to start taking on responsibility for Her own life, though the less enjoyable ones, Ostara will gladly leave for Her parents. The world is Ostara's garden, and She lays claim to every bit of it, whether She should or not. Ostara is learning about boys, and the freedoms that being older brings.

Ostara is finding the attention She's getting, both pleasurable, and annoying at times. That comes with the changes Ostara has gone through. Ostara has changed physically from a girl, into a woman, but has not yet made piece with some of the things that change has brought.

At Ostara, we eat chocolate and candy, to symbolize the rich bounty that Nature will bring to us in the following months. We can feel guilt free for the sugary sweetness we indulge in, because Nature is about to bring us more.

You can play the following audio file about Ostara, from the Reaching For The Moon Podcast.