Ostara

The second of the three fertility festivals, Ostara arrives in burst of color and birdsong. This sabbat is a celebration of rebirth, renewal, and the fertility of Mother Earth. The day is celebrated on the Spring Equinox, a day of balance between light and dark; after which the scales tip toward the light, and nature begins to reawaken after her winter slumber.

Colors

Any pastel or spring color - think "robin's egg" blue, mint green, "cotton candy" pink...

Symbols & Themes

chicks, bunnies, spring flowers, grass, eggs, birth, re-birth, dawn  newborns (animal and human), bird nests, cradles, balance, turning to light

Deities & Archetypes

Blodeuwedd; Maiden as Virgin; Ostara; Eostre

Ostara Activities

Clean your Space Learn More

Clean your Space

“Spring cleaning” is a cliche for a reason!  With the new season, it is the perfect time to prepare your home for new fresh energy…
Start an Herb Garden Learn More

Start an Herb Garden

Ostara is the perfect time to start your own herb garden both for magical and culinary purposes!  Use some forethought when planning your garden. Here…
Coloring Ostara Eggs Learn More

Coloring Ostara Eggs

First, hard boil however many eggs you wish to decorate and add one to two tablespoons of white vinegar. Next, prepare the dyes on the…

Recipes for Ostara

Strawberry, Goat Cheese, & Wild Violet Salad

This is a great way to incorporate the spirit of spring into a brunch or after-ritual dinner.  If you are collecting the flowers yourself, be  sure you are identifying the flowers correctly, and from a place where they are not sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals.  You also want to steer clear of flowers growing near a road, as they will be exposed to exhaust fumes from passing cars.
Print Recipe
Course Salad
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

Salad:

  • 4 Cups organic mixed baby lettuces I used a spring mix because it goes well with the mildness of the violets.
  • 1 Cup wild violets you can leave the stems on or remove them, they are edible but slightly tough.
  • 1 Cup organic strawberries hulled and sliced.
  • 4 Ounces pasture raised, soft, herb goat cheese

Dressing:

  • 1/3 Cup wild violet infused white balsamic vinegar*
  • 1/2 Cup very good quality extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla lavender & wild dandelion syrup, or you can substitute a very good local honey, I recommend wildflower honey.
  • Sea salt & fresh ground pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Layer all salad ingredients, beautifully on serving dishes, I like to do mine separately so each person gets an even amount of toppings.
  • In a salad shaker or glass jar with a lid, place all dressing ingredients and shake, vigorously till they are emulsified, meaning they are creamy and thick, about 2 to 3 minutes. You can also do this in a blender, adding the olive oil slowly at the end, after you have mixed the other ingredients, I don’t bother with this it works just fine without electricity.
Keyword Ostara

Hummingbird Cake

Hummingbird Cake is a traditional southern recipe full of fruits, nuts, and spices and covered in a delicious cream cheese frosting.  It’s the perfect way to welcome the warm days of Spring.
Print Recipe
Course Dessert
Cuisine American, Southern

Ingredients
  

Cake

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 large eggs beaten
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple, undrained
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 2 cups chopped bananas

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup butter or margarine softened
  • 1 16-ounce package powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; add eggs and oil, stirring until dry ingredients are moistened. (Do not beat.) Stir in vanilla, pineapple, 1 cup pecans, and bananas.
  • Pour batter into three greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans. Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.
  • Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake; sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped pecans on top. Store in refrigerator.
  • From the Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook, January 1999

Frosting:

  • Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at low speed until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla.

Notes

From the Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook, January 1999
Keyword Ostara

Chocolate Peanut Butter Eggs

Okay, I admit it: Reese’s Cups are my downfall.   In case the Ostara bunny forgets to deliver yours, here is a great recipe to make some scrumptious treats for yourself!
Print Recipe
Course Dessert
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar
  • 1¼ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 cups milk chocolate chips or 12 ounces milk chocolate, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening

Instructions
 

  • Line a baking sheet with wax paper or parchment paper; set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan, combine the peanut butter, butter, and brown sugar over medium heat. Heat until completely melted and starting to bubble a little, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat. Add the powdered sugar a ¼ cup at a time, stirring until completely combined with the peanut butter mixture after each addition. Set aside and let cool to room temperature.
  • Using a medium cookie scoop or a heaping tablespoon, scoop out peanut butter mixture and shape into eggs. I found it easiest to roll the scoop into a ball, and then roll it into a short cylinder. I placed it on the baking sheet, and then used my fingers to shape the ends into an egg-like oval. Refrigerate to allow the peanut butter eggs to set, about 30 minutes.
  • Once the peanut butter eggs are set, melt the chocolate chips and shortening together in the microwave on 50% power in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until completely melted. One at a time, dip a peanut butter egg into the chocolate and, using a fork, flip it over so it is completely covered. Remove it from the bowl, letting any excess chocolate drip off. Return it to the baking sheet, and repeat with all of the peanut butter eggs. Sprinkle with decorations, if desired. Return the chocolate-covered peanut butter eggs to the refrigerator to allow the chocolate to set, about 30 minutes. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Keyword Ostara

Vanilla, Lavender, and Wild Dandelion Syrup

Print Recipe
Course Salad
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 3 Cups wild dandelion flower petals you want the yellow part of the flower only, no green.
  • 2 1/4 Cups boiling water
  • 1/2 package of 100% natural Sure-Jell fruit pectin.
  • 1 Organic vanilla bean whole.
  • 1 Tbsp organic lavender
  • 2 Cups fair trade organic, raw cane sugar
  • 1/4 Cup fresh squeezed orange juice

Instructions
 

  • Pour the boiling water over the dandelion petals, add in the vanilla bean and lavender and let them steep at
  • least 2 hours, up to 24 hours.
  • Strain and reserve the liquid and vanilla bean.
  • In a non-reactive pan over high heat bring the dandelion infused liquid, orange juice and sugar to a boil. Add in the pectin and boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Cut the vanilla bean in half and scrape out the seeds from both halves and add them into the mixture.
  • Ladle into clean, sterilized canning jars and cover. Tip them upside-down to seal, or store them in the fridge to eat immediately.
Keyword Ostara