Ostara 2026

Merry Meet and Welcome to you magickal souls!!!!

It's almost time for Ostara, which is another name for the Spring, or Vernal, Equinox. This event typically happens around 20th March, perhaps even celebrated for three days but how long you want to celebrate for is up to you.

This is the mid-point between Imbolc and Beltane, as well as the mid-point between Yule and Litha (the Winter and Summer Solstices).

This is one two times where light and darkness are equal and balanced. Because of this, the seasons are also balanced between the light half of the year and the dark half of the year. This energy can be harnessed by sowing the seeds of change in our lives while considering the new beginnings that may still be seeking balance within our lives.

The Spring Equinox marks the start of the season of fertility and growth. Eggs and seeds are among the most important symbols of this time as they hold the promise of new life within. Flowers and even rabbits are also symbols of this celebration – the first due to this being the time they bloom and bring colour to the earth, and the second because they can breed very quickly and are therefore fertile.

Easter is the christian alternative of this and due to the conversion practices of some Christian sects, that is why all the symbols of Easter are the same as those for Ostara. These conversion practices included, but weren't limited to, making the places, beliefs and traditions Christian rather than pagan/heathen.

Ostara is also called Eostre, pronounced the same way and the name of a Germanic or Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility. It should come as no surprise that She was honoured in Lower Saxony and in Angeln, both of which are in northern Germany.

This is the perfect time of year for spring cleaning as it allows us to clear out the old to make way for the newer energies. While it is always good to have a clean home and regularly declutter, this is the time when it seems most appropriate, removing everything that is unnecessary that we've collected over the winter months.

Colours that are associated with Ostara are yellow and green. Yellow for the light of the Sun that is growing stronger each day, and green for the budding plants and trees. Any colours could be used as flowers come in a variety of them.

Other symbols, aside from eggs, flowers and rabbits, are sprouting seeds and feathers. Sprouting seeds to represent the return of life to the earth, and feathers because they symbolise the return of birds. Birds are associated with the themes of renewal and light, so this makes sense.

In the past, I have done a collective reading but this year, I want to be more personal and share a reading I have done for myself so that I can focus on the energies I want to bring in during this time. I've put together my own spread for Ostara and used Radleigh Valentine's Fairy Tarot deck.

What is being born or renewed in my life right now?

Ace of Spring

This is an interesting card because within this deck, the suits are the seasons and we're in the middle of Spring currently.

Anyway, it's an Ace which means it's full of new-ness. So this, to me, says that energy is being born into my life that relates to this new energy, perhaps something that I haven't experienced before.

Within this card, I feel like the tree is a cherry tree. (This is one of my favourite trees, as well.) Cherry blossoms are associated with renewal, friendship, peace, new beginnings, the temporary beauty of life, and cherishing the present moment. All of these are things that I could bring new energy to.

How can I nurture and care for this growth?

Seven of Winter

With this card, I feel as if I'm being encouraged to see the truth of my situation, even if it's something I might prefer to ignore and deny.

Just because the world at large can be cold and isolating, it can also bring a stillness that frees up reality. It also stops me from being able to run away from the truth as my steps linger on in the ice or snow.

The fairy shown here is doing her own thing and enjoying herself, so perhaps this is what I need to do to nurture and care for this new growth symbolised by the Ace of Spring. She's not looking for approval from anyone or anything else, finding confidence and self-assurance within.

Where do I need to restore balance in my life?

King of Autumn

It's intriguing that this card was pulled for tis question because Autumn is the opposite to Spring, and the Autumn Equinox celebrates the balance between the fading light and growing dark.

Perhaps this card is advising me that I need to balance the light and the dark, the positive and the negative, all of the opposites within my life.

Just looking at the compassion association has led me to consider whether I balance comforting and caring about others with giving myself the same treatment. Perhaps I need to see how I can put my own situation into better perspective, and be both tender and fierce in equal measure.

What is about to blossom in my life?

Princess of Autumn

With this card, it might appear at first as if responsibility is something serious and shouldn't be enjoyed because it is a burden. But responsibility doesn't have to be a burden; if it is viewed as a source of power, of growth and self-improvement, and fulfillment, then it should be enjoyed.

Perhaps this card comes to say that with the other three cards, I am about to be more cheerful and therefore enjoy the responsibilities I have.

Or maybe this card is just asking me to enjoy life in general more, regardless of what I do.

It may be that I am about to start down a journey of studying that I am almost certain to enjoy.

All of these cards are insanely relevant to my life and what has been happening recently. I will definitely work towards integrating the advice and ideas I have had thanks to these cards as I think they will be helpful as I move towards the next phase of my life and year.

I already have a plan to do my own hanami ritual, where I appreciate the beauty of nature around me and attempt to make the most of my time on this earth (regardless of how long I have). This will likely be a more mindful practice, like sitting under a tree (cherry trees aren't populative where I live) and reading a book. Although if the weather isn't appropriate then I will work on taking some time that day to sit and marvel at the natural world I can see from within my home.

I hope this inspires you to consider how the energies of Ostara are working within your life, or even if you might be able to work more closely with those energies. If you would like your own personal Ostara reading, my diary and inbox are open.

Peace and love to all!!!!