For some, Easter has a religious significance. For some, it is a time of family gathering. For some, it is the celebration of Ostara and of the goddess Eostre. For me and mine, it is eclectic in the feasting, gathering and sharing of a big meal at Spring’s bidding.
In spring, if we listen, we can hear Eostre singing to us of hope and new life. She sings us alive with Spring. The fertile ground begins to hint at greening and the early spring flowers begin their green climb towards the sun. As for us, our energy rises, we feel full of strength and we begin to accomplish tasks we did not have the energy for. In some way, we feel ready for fresh new ideas and adventures. We feel restless. We become open for fresh ideas and new beginnings. Our eyes seem keen to notice the small things that hint at spring. For those of us honoring Ostara, we are attuned to the story (Germanic) of when the rabbit was a bird. Yes, a bird. The bird was said to have been transformed into a rabbit by Ostara, goddess of Spring/the East/dawn/new beginnings.
It is said that Spring was late one years and Ostara was in a hurry to get Spring under way. Rushing along, she stumbled upon a small bird. It is lying on the ground, shivering and almost dead from the cold. She stopped because she is deeply connected to small dear things. She grabbed the bird and put her against her breast to warm it, but it was too late. She wanted to save this small bird who would never fly again, so she turned the little thing into a hare so he could hop away from death.
She gave the hare a few special gifts to remind him of being that vulnerable little bird. She gave the hare the gift of, every spring, being able to lay beautiful colored eggs on the celebration of spring.
Now you know why we color eggs for Easter and that it is attached to an old Germanic story and its Easter Goddess.
No matter how you celebrate it, let us join each other in the celbration of spring, after a long winter.
©Carol Desjarlais 3.23.24
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