Ostara & Easter: How a Pagan Spring Goddess and the Resurrection of Christ Bloomed Together
As the sun crosses the celestial equator and day finally balances night, we enter Ostara—a sabbat on the Wheel of the Year that celebrates the Spring Equinox. It's a time of renewal, fertility, and the triumphant return of light. But if you’ve ever wondered why bunnies, eggs, and springtime joy are associated with the resurrection of Jesus Christ, you’re not alone. The roots of Easter are tangled in both Pagan and Christian soil—and that’s what makes the story so fascinating.
What Is Ostara?
Ostara is one of eight sabbats on the Pagan Wheel of the Year, marking the Spring Equinox—when daylight and darkness are equal. Named after the Germanic goddess Ēostre (also spelled Ostara), this sabbat celebrates themes of:
Balance (light and dark in harmony)
Fertility (think eggs, rabbits, blossoming flowers)
Renewal and Resurrection (new life emerging after the death of winter)
Ēostre was said to be a dawn goddess who brought light and fertility to the land. Her sacred animal? You guessed it—the hare, a potent symbol of abundance and rebirth.
Rebirth Is a Goddess Thing
As the Spring Equinox unfolds, a sacred portal opens—one where Pagan sabbats and Christian celebrations brush shoulders, and ancient goddesses rise from myth to stir something within us. Ostara may be the headliner, but she’s not alone. Each goddess brings her own flavor of magic to the season—and honestly, they’ve all earned a place in your ritual wardrobe.
Let’s go beyond Ēostre for one hot minute.
Ēostre (Germanic/Northern Europe)
Vibe: Dawn, fertility, springtime awakening
Symbols: Hares, eggs, sunrise
Style Inspo: Flowy pastel maxi dress, embroidered floral details, vintage lace gloves, messy braids with wildflowers
Persephone (Greek)
Vibe: Queen of the Underworld returning to Earth; duality of life and death
Symbols: Pomegranate, flowers, butterflies
Style Inspo: Dark floral corset top + light chiffon skirt; pomegranate-red lipstick, gold accessories, and shadowy eyeliner
Flora (Roman)
Vibe: Goddess of flowers and blossoming
Symbols: All blooming things, garlands, May-time festivals
Style Inspo: Crown of daisies, off-the-shoulder top, bare feet, rose-scented perfume and a silk wrap skirt
Brigid (Celtic)
Vibe: Fire, fertility, and creative spark
Symbols: Wells, fire, lambs, poetry
Style Inspo: Wool shawls, earthy layers, copper jewelry, leather boots, and a journal always in hand
Demeter (Greek)
Vibe: Earth mother, goddess of the harvest, mourning and reunion
Symbols: Wheat, torch, poppies
Style Inspo: Wrap dress in muted earth tones, gold belt, ankle boots, wild hair full of sun-dried herbs
Astarte/Ishtar (Mesopotamian)
Vibe: Fertility, war, and resurrection
Symbols: Stars, lions, eggs, doves
Style Inspo: Metallic accents, dramatic eyeliner, statement jewelry
Across cultures, springtime has long been the domain of goddesses who govern life, fertility, and transformation.
Enter Christianity: The Resurrection Narrative
In Christian tradition, Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, three days after his crucifixion. This event is central to the Christian faith and symbolizes victory over death, spiritual renewal, and eternal life.
But here’s where it gets interesting: the date of Easter is not fixed like Christmas. Instead, it’s determined by the first Sunday after the first full moon following the Spring Equinox—the very season sacred to Ostara.
Syncretism: When Worlds Collide
As Christianity spread across Europe, it often absorbed and reinterpreted existing pagan traditions. This wasn’t just a marketing strategy; it was a way to make the new faith more accessible and palatable to those who already celebrated the cycles of nature. Very clever, indeed.
Ēostre’s name may have influenced the word "Easter" (especially in Germanic languages).
Eggs, which symbolized fertility in pagan rites, were adopted by Christians as symbols of Jesus’ empty tomb and resurrection.
Rabbits and hares, sacred to Ēostre, morphed into the Easter Bunny.
Springtime rituals, once devoted to the earth’s rebirth, became metaphors for spiritual rebirth in Christ.
The Deeper Magic: Rebirth in All Its Forms
Whether you're casting spells or attending church, Ostara and Easter both celebrate the same underlying truth: death is not the end. New life springs forth. Light returns. Hope blooms.
For Pagans, it's the Earth herself waking up.
For Christians, it’s the soul awakening through Christ.
Both paths point to transformation—a resurrection of the spirit, whether through nature or the divine.
How to Honor Both
Feeling called to blend traditions or honor them side-by-side? Here are a few ways to celebrate the season mindfully:
Decorate an altar with spring flowers, pastel colors, and symbols of both Ostara and Easter.
Plant seeds, both literal and metaphorical, to represent your own personal rebirth.
Host a feast that honors the season and invites loved ones to reflect on what’s blooming in their lives.
Journal or meditate on the theme of resurrection. What part of you is ready to rise?
Dress for the Season You Want: Style as Spellwork
Your wardrobe isn’t just a closet—it’s a ritual tool, a mirror, and a portal. Spring is the season of blooming, rebirth, and reawakening. When you dress with intention, you’re not just picking out an outfit—you’re casting a spell for the energy you want to embody.
Here’s how to turn getting dressed into sacred self-expression:
1. Start With the Energy
Ask yourself: What do I want to call in this season?
New love? Think soft, romantic fabrics and rose quartz accessories.
Creative spark? Go bold with prints, color blocking, and statement pieces.
Clarity or healing? Whites, blues, and flowy silhouettes can help reflect that vibration.
Let your style align with the spell you're working—even if it's just stepping into the day with purpose.
2. Choose Symbolic Colors
Color magic is powerful, and spring is full of life-giving tones. Use these as your palette:
Pale pink – love, softness, inner child healing
Sky blue – clarity, communication, peace
Lavender – intuition, balance, self-compassion
Green – abundance, new growth, heart energy
Gold – solar power, confidence, resurrection
Pair colors with crystals or herbs for even more intention (like wearing green with moss agate or lavender with amethyst).
3. Play With Texture & Layers
Spring is all about the in-between—not quite warm, not quite cold. Use layers to symbolize your own unfolding:
Lightweight cardigans = protection without restriction
Sheer fabrics = vulnerability and transparency
Lace and crochet = ancestral threads and softness
And don’t be afraid to mix textures like raw cotton and silk—contrast is part of the season. Honestly, it’s a favorite of mine year-round.
4. Accessorize With Archetype
Every goddess or archetype you channel can shape your accessories:
Persephone vibes? Try a pomegranate charm or butterfly earrings.
Ēostre energy? A flower crown or hare ring works like a sigil.
Brigid's fire? Copper cuffs and fire opal bring her warmth into your look.
Modern goddexx? Think celestial tattoos, moon-phase earrings, or even a bold, cosmic eyeliner.
Accessories aren’t extra—they’re totemic. Let them be your talismans.
5. Finish With Embodied Intention
Once you're dressed, pause. Breathe. Look at yourself like you would a temple altar.
Ask: What am I awakening today?
Let your outfit be a mirror of your magic, a love letter to the season, and a spell that walks with you.
Merge the Sacred & the Styled
You don’t have to choose between a witchy Ostara altar and Easter brunch with family. You can be the floral-draped enchantress who blesses her mimosa before sipping it. The goddess archetypes remind us that duality is divine—light and dark, sacred and mundane, rebirth and remembrance.
In the end, Ostara and Easter are not rivals but reflections. They both mirror humanity’s deep longing for light after darkness, life after death, and beauty after the barren stretch of winter.
So this spring, whether you're honoring Jesus' resurrection, planting seeds under a waxing moon, or just dressing up to feel alive again—know that you are the ritual.