How to Create an Ostara Altar || Wicca 101

This year Ostara is on March 19. This sabbat always falls on the spring equinox, a time when the light and darkness is equal. Right now in the world there is a lot of fear and darkness we are facing with the coronavirus and I’m definitely feeling a little freaked out myself. I don’t want to speak for others but I think the lesson Ostara is bringing me this year is to find that equinox balance of light and dark within myself.

Ostara is a sabbat of life and joy. The colors are bright and the symbolism is all about fertility & life. While everyone's altar may look different, I personally created my Ostara altar with the purpose of reminding myself that there is always life and beauty to be found - even in dark and difficult times.

The main feature of my altar this year is the flowers and greenery. While we don’t yet have fresh Spring flowers here in Chicago but it’s only a few more weeks away before the city is covered in daffodils and tulips.

Candles are always a great feature for altars. While spring pastel colors are best for this sabbat, white candles are multipurpose ‘magically speaking’ so there's no need to buy a bunch of new pastel candles if you have white ones lying around. This year I’m also adding an amethyst and a quartz crystal to amplify the positive energies of this equinox.

I picked up a chocolate bunny to represent the fertility aspect of this holiday. And as a bonus it will be a nice treat to eat on the day of the Equinox. I’ve done a previous video on Ostara symbolism and why bunnies are associated with this sabbat so I’ll link that here if you’d like to check it out.

I’m also adding a small bowl that I will fill with water on Ostara morning. This will be dedicated to Eostre, the Germanic Goddess of Dawn and Spring, who is often associated with this holiday. I also have a video I did a couple weeks ago about this Goddess and different ways to give offerings to her for the Equinox. You can check that out here.

As a tarot reader the sacred archetypes featured in tarot are a large part of my spiritual practice so I always choose a card or two to feature on my altars. Originally I was going to use the Empress card as she is a good representation of the fertility and beauty of spring. Though the more I thought about it I felt that there was another card that would be even better for Ostara this year - and that is the Star card.

In tarot the star card is number 17 and comes after right after the most dramatic card in the deck - card 16 - the tower. The star card represents the hope and healing that’s needed after a traumatic time in life. She is the card I rely upon anytime I personally feel fearful or anxious and she has always been a calming and beautiful presence in my life.

I hope you enjoyed this video and post. Comment below what your plans are for Ostara this year. If you also set up an altar for the sabbats, I'd love to hear what kinds of items you like to place on your altar for Ostara. I'm looking forward to reading all your comments. 

Ostara Blessings,
Scarlet