Ostara/Spring Equinox Altar 2022

Ostara or the Spring Equinox celebrates the dawning of Spring and the return of life. It is first and foremost a fertility holiday, honoring the reappearance of flowers, birds, and rabbits. Snow is beginning the melt and flowers force their way through the frozen ground, dotting the landscape with their bright blooms, a symbol of hope and new life. As the Sun grows in strength in the sky, the air warms, bringing with it animals previously hiding during the colder Winter months. March and April mark the mating season for many birds and small mammals, which will culminate in a bushel of cute babies. This is also the time of balance, as an equinox is a balance between day and night. We didn't get snow here in Georgia this year except for the mountains and by the end of March, daffodils and tulips have already stopped blooming. However, the cherry trees, forsythia, dandelions, and purple deadnettle are in full bloom. I am an advocate for local witchcraft and customizing your Wheel of the Year to sync with where you live. After all, the Wheel of the Year is about celebrating the changing of the seasons and that looks very different across the world. I encourage you to find your own spring markers and incorporate them into your altar as best you can. While I don't feature any flowers on my altar this year (I have been having issues with my cats lately...some serious ones related to both health and behavior), I do feature some natural elements using crystals. I decided this year to go more along the theme of balance, creating a perfectly symmetrical altar to honor equality, balance, and togetherness.

1. Gold and White Rabbits- One of the most prominent symbols of Ostara or the Spring Equinox is the rabbit, representing fertility and new life. Rabbits begin breeding this time of year and are extremely prolific, hence their association with fertility. In fact, rabbits can be pregnant with more than one litter of babies at a time! I've included two rabbits on my Spring Equinox altar to represent fertility, but I have included two to balance the altar as the equinox represents balance. The golden rabbit represents the Sun while the white rabbit represents the Moon which is in perfect balance during the equinox. You will see that I have matched them with their respective symbols on the plaque in the center of my altar. (Where did I get it: Hobby Lobby 2017; Cost: $3 each)

2. Mangano Calcite, Rose Quartz, Tree Agate- Honestly, Mangano calcite and rose quartz are two of my favorite crystals (black tourmaline is number one) so if I can find a reason to put them on my altar, I do. You'll notice I also left the tree agate from my Imbolc or Winter Thermstice altar on this one as well. This is because the themes of Imbolc continue right on into Ostara. While both celebrate new beginnings and the returning of life, Imbolc is more about the returning of the light and Ostara more about fertility. Mangano calcite and rose quartz represent love, harmony, and balance. They both vibrate with a soft, soothing love, one that last's for an eternity, the perfect crystal to symbolize the loving relationship between Sun and Earth. Tree agate, on the other hand, is a symbol of Earth, new life, fertility, growth, and renewal. Its soft white and dark green hues represent the first of the plants breaking through the snow. (Where did I get it: Metaphysical Subscription Boxes; Cost: ~$6)

3. Sun and Moon Plaque- In the center is an incense holder without the incense. I used it because of its pink color and flower shape. The flower represents the new blossoms of Spring, and being pink, it represents love and unity, which results in the flowering fruits being so abundant at this time. I did not place any incense for this altar because the heavenly smell of the forsythia and dead nettle were enough. While cherry blossoms do not smell the best, the mixing of the two scents would not have created harmony and balance on this altar. (Where did I get it: Dollar Tree 2017; Cost: $1)

4. White Tealights- The Sun continues to grow in strength at Ostara, with it finally being equal tonight for the first time since the Fall Equinox. From this point on, day will continue to grow in length, as night slowly decreases until the Summer Solstice in June. The white candles in their opalescent candle holders are to sympathetically strengthen the Sun so my new seedlings may flourish and my flower garden bloom. White also symbolizes day, which again, continues to grow from this point on. I went with the opalescent candle holders this time because when the light hits them just right, they appear like pink, blue, and green, symbols of spring and Ostara. (Where did I get it: Dollar Tree 2019; Cost: $2.50)

5. Marble Egg- The blue, marble egg is the ultimate symbol of fertility and new beginnings. As Spring begins, the birds flock back to their mating grounds, building nests and laying eggs that will give birth to the next generation. I placed it in the center of my altar as fertility is the predominant theme of Ostara. The blue color represents healing, calm, and femininity, something I believe is currently lacking in the world right now. (Where did I get it: Marble Egg: Gifted; Cost: Free; Egg holder: Target 2018; $1)

TOTAL COST: ~$14

Like my other altars, most of the items I use are found, made, or purchased for around $1, although if the items must be purchased by you, then the cost will be higher. I hope you find this sort of breakdown helpful, especially for those of you looking to create Instagram-perfect altars on a budget!

Did you do anything special for Ostara this year? Let me know in the comments below!

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