There are many way’s to represent this Goddess because I found her legends extend back to the Sumerian times.
This goddess, Ostara, Goddess of Spring and the Dawn (Oestre / Eastre) is named for a Saxon goddess who was known by the names of Oestre or Eastre, and in Germany by the name of Ostara. She is a goddess of the dawn and the spring, and her name derives from words for dawn, the shining light arising from the east. So as you can see, I used the dawn as her crown!
Our words for the “female hormone” estrogen derives from her name. Ostara was, of course, a fertility goddess. Bringing in the end of winter, with the days brighter and growing longer after the vernal equinox, Ostara had a passion for new life.
Her presence was felt in the flowering of plants and the birth of babies, both animal and human. The rabbit (well known for its propensity for rapid reproduction) was her sacred animal.
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Easter eggs and the Easter Bunny both featured in the spring festivals of Ostara, which were initially held during the feasts of the goddess Ishtar | Inanna. Eggs are an obvious symbol of fertility, and the newborn chicks an adorable representation of new growth. Brightly colored eggs, chicks, and bunnies were all used at festival time to express appreciation for Ostara’s gift of abundance.
This Spring Goddess who stands on the cusp of womanhood, represents purity and the innocence of childhood, where the soul’s dreams and magic still prevail. What better way to express that she is pure than to depict her naked as a baby when they enter this world.
The celebration of SPRING reminds us of the cycle of rebirth and the need for renewal in our lives. Use this spring energy to fulfill your dreams, with benefit to every living thing and harm to none.
The Maiden Archetype represents purity and the innocence of childhood, where the soul’s dreams, magic and make believe still prevail.
It is also an aspect of the Triple Goddess, together with the Mother and the Crone they represents the cycles of the moon and the different stages of a woman’s life.
Shadow Maiden is very self centered all, her dreams and energy is expended on achieving her own personal needs and goals.
These qualities reflect the nature of this Spring Goddess who stands on the cusp of womanhood. Her self-absorbtion meant she was late and nearly caused the death of a young bird but undeterred the resourceful Goddess transforms the bird into a rabbit.
The story goes, already feeling guilty for arriving late one spring, the Goddess Ostara was appalled when the first thing she encountered was a little bird who lay dying on the forest floor, his wings frozen by the snow.
Filled with compassion, Ostara lovingly cradled the shivering creature and saved his life by turning him into a white snow hare and gave him the name Lepus, with the ability to run rapidly so he could evade all hunters.
Honoring his earlier life as a bird, she also gave him the ability to lay eggs in all the colors of the rainbow.
The Hare was sacred in many ancient traditions and was associated with the moon goddesses and the various deities of the hunt. In ancient times eating the Hare was prohibited except at Beltane (Celts) and the festival of Ostara (Anglo-Saxons), when a ritual hare-hunt would take place.
Ostara correspondences:
Plants and Herbs – honeysuckle, violet, Crocus flowers, Daffodils, Jasmine, Irish Moss, Snowdrops and Ginger.
Incense – Jasmine, Frankincense, Myrrh, Dragon’s Blood, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Aloes wood, Benzoin, Musk, African Violet, Sage, Strawberry, Lotus, Violet flowers, Orange peel or Rose petals.
Stones – Aquamarine, Rose Quartz and Moonstone.
Food – All food in tune with the season, including: eggs of all types, hard-boiled or in a salad, honey cakes, first fruits of the season, fish, cakes, biscuits, cheeses, honey and ham, and whatever game can be hunted.
In conclusion, metaphysically, Ostara – the Spring Equinox is a time of renewal and new beginnings, a time to plant your seeds and plan for the future. Think Goddess™!
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