Ostara altars at the Temple

by Gemma & Alex Hughes

The Male altar at Ostara

Ostara is considered by some as the first day of spring, a time for new beginnings, for hope and personal growth. In some traditions it is at this time that the horned god is reborn, which has been represented by the god Pan. Pan is a god of the wild and is connected with shepherds, fertility, spontaneity and music.

To represent the equinox in this time of balance, the altar decoration includes a disc representing the sun and the moon, each occupying half the circle.

The Birch tree is one of the first to come into leaf and is a pioneer species, often being one of the first plants to colonise new areas. In this way the Birch is connected with fertility and new beginnings. Birch is also a traditional wood used for making a bessom (broom / brush) which would be used for sweeping one’s home, especially at this time during a spring clean where the build-up of dust, dirt would be removed from homes after the winter. This annual purge is still done by many to not only clean the physical but also cleanse the spiritual aspects of one’s home. Silver birch bark has been included on the altar and the Birch tree is represented on the light box.

Other natural spectacles that can be seen in the spring have been included on the altar including daffodils, boxing hares, and frogspawn, each bringing an aspect of new beginnings and hope.

The Female altar at Ostara

Ostara is the spring equinox when the day and the night are the same length. To honour this time of balance, a circle is made up of two equal halves has been placed on the altar. At the centre of the circle a sunstone and a moonstone shine brightly in harmony alongside each other.

As mother nature pulls on her spring cloak of bright new growth, birds are busy nesting and laying eggs. The nest on the altar represents this time of activity. It has been woven from ivy and the eggshells were found whilst out walking, honouring the birds without taking anything from them.

The four different coloured eggs symbolise spring fertility and the balance of the equinox. Each different colour represents a different element. White for air, blue for water, green for earth and yellow for fire, placed together on the altar in perfect union.

At this time of year you may be lucky enough to catch sight of a “Mad March Hare”. Hares, box during the mating season and not as most people believe only the males. Female hares will rebuff unwanted attention from males by raising up on their back legs, stand their ground and engage in “boxing” if he won’t take no for an answer.

March is the time of year when our hibernating reptiles such as slow worms, adders, grass snakes and common lizards, start to wake up. They sluff of their old skins and re-emerge into the warm spring sunshine. In honour of this time of transition from old to new the piece of serpentine has been placed on the altar.