Other names for this holiday include Ostara, Alban Eiler, Esther, Lady Day, Ostarun, ôstartag', Eastre, Eoastrae, Oestre, Vernal Equinox, or Eostre.

On or around March 21st

This is the first true day of spring. And, like "Mabon" in the fall, it is the day when the hours of light and dark are equal once again. This time light overtaking dark as beneath soil the seeds of new life begin to awaken.

It is time to welcome Nature back from her long season of dormant sleep. For, with the full arrival of Spring, we begin to see shoots of new growth and swelling buds on the trees. The sap begins to flow, the ground softens, ice melts, and everywhere the fragrance and colour of spring slowly awakens and rejuvenates our own life force.

Energy is palpable in the air and is echoed in our bodies as the days become warmer and filled with promise. Spring is the season when animals begin to mate and flowers and trees pollinate and reproduce.

This is a time of great fertility, new growth, and newborn animals. As such there is great attention paid to those things that represent that theme. Among others, these include eggs, flowers, baby bunnies and chicks, etc.

Eggs are one of the most potent symbols of fertility, and as such, are given quite a lot of attention this time of year. Our ancestors in Europe often decorated and offered eggs as gifts to bring blessings of prosperity and abundance in the coming months.

Then later, as Christianity rose and pagan ways were shunned, it is believed that people took to hiding the eggs and having children make a game out of finding them. This would take place with all the children of the village looking at the same time in everyone's gardens and beneath fences and other spots.

Spring also marks a seasonal end to the eating stored foods and a return to eating fresh greens and meats. This turn back to Nature fills us with energy and replenishes our bodies with nutrients we might have been lacking during the winter months.

This is a time for many of us to create fresh, new beginnings in our lives: this can apply to jobs, relationships, living situations, lifestyle choices and more. A time to try new things and to appreciate the beauty and bounty of the earth's reawakening after it's long sleep.

Some celebration ideas for Ostara include:

• A few moments before the exact moment of the Equinox, go outside with a raw egg and find a reasonably level place. For a few moments just before and just after the Equinox, you can balance the egg upright (wider end down) by simply setting it down. It will stand up all by itself.
  Kids love this, and most adults are amazed and delighted as well. This little "trick" brings together two of the most potent aspects of this holiday: the balancing of the earth's gravity midway between the extremes of light and dark; and the symbolism of the egg.
• Colour eggs with natural dye or food colouring.
• Put on an egg hunt with your family or friends (this is a favourite with children).
• Eat of the fresh greens and early vegetables that are abundant now: dandelion greens, nettles, asparagus, etc.
• The forming of candy into the shape of rabbits or chicks is a way to acknowledge them as symbols. Then, symbolically, by eating them we take on their characteristics, and enhance our own fertility, growth and vitality. We must remember, fertility does not just apply to the birth of babes, but to the birth of any thing into our lives.
• Plant seeds or start a Magickal Herb Garden.
• Take a long walk in nature with no intent other than reflecting on the awe inspiring Magick of nature and natural energies of spring.
• The Spring Equinox is a very potent time for magick and, because it often falls in the period when Mercury is Retrograde, starting a new endeavor at this time can be problematic if care is not taken. One good way to avoid catastrophe is to engage in small, personally oriented rites or activities. Things such as a new haircut, a new clothing style or make-up, a new exercise program, the grand old tradition of spring cleaning, a new course of study. All of these are relatively "safe" ways to welcome the fresh, renewing energies of Spring into your life without risking the weirdness and unpredictability that is often a part of Mercury Retrograde.