The Month of the Spring Goddess

A very Happy Veneralia: Day of Venus to each of you on this first day of April the month which was named Eostre Monath by the Anglo Saxons after “Eastre or Eostre” the Goddess of Dawn or Spring.

“Eostre is generally said to be an Anglo-Saxon Goddess associated with the renewal of life: Spring (season), fertility and the hare (for its quick and numerous reproduction). Eostre has been made to be a “goddess of Dawn” by modern writers, improvising on the theme of Eos; there is no sanction for this aspect in any historical document or ancient tradition. Though it has been said that she was sometimes depicted with a hares head, no authentic animal-headed deities appear in Germanic or Celtic cult objects. And, perhaps for good reason, there is no Celtic depiction of an Eostre whatsoever. Most likely the name of the Spring Goddess was lost and the name “Eastre” was substituted in the transcriptions of the 8th century. Other names given to her include Ostare, Ostara, Ostern, Estre, Eostre, Eoster, Eostra, Eostur, Eastra, Eastur, Austron, and Ausos.”– edited from Wikipedia

Many of the attributes associated with this Goddess which I have listed below appear to be from contemporary Western neopagan traditions. I suggest working with what “feels” right to you and honoring the many varied festivals and traditions on our multifaceted planet. Here in the wooded hills we begin to see the bunnies at this time of the year, thus, the mythology that the Goddess of Spring was associated with rabbits fits quite nicely.

I’m rather liking the idea of Alice of the WonderLand as a modern icon of the Spring Goddess Eostre. She’s fesity, very brave, smart, witty and has a great sense of adventure. And Mia of course, portrays her so perfectly.

Colors: White, green, pastels
Associated symbols: Rabbit, egg
Best day to work with: Monday
Best Moon phase: Full Strongest around Ostara
Suitable offerings: hard-boiled eggs, honey cakes, first fruits of the season
Associated Planet: Moon

The full moon for this month arrives on Friday April 6th, it will be in the astrological sign of Libra and is called The Pink Moon. The name is in reference to the herb moss pink, or wild ground phlox, which is one of the earliest widespread flowers of the spring. Other names for this month’s celestial body include the Full Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and among coastal tribes the Full Fish Moon, because this was the time that the shad swam upstream to spawn.


This month we are wondering in a forest of Alder wood. According to the modern neopagan Ogham calendar, it is the fourth month called “Fearn” (Alder) falling between March 18 – April 14. The Alder is associated with protection and courage. Steve Blamires, my favorite Ogham scholar, refers to the Alder period as one to find the strength to face things you have been avoiding.

The Song of the Alder Fairy
by Cicely Mary Barker

By the lake or river-side
Where the Alders dwell,
In the Autumn may be spied
Baby catkins; cones beside —
Old and new as well.
Seasons come and seasons go;
That’s the tale they tell!
After Autumn, Winter’s cold
Leads us to the Spring;
And, before the leaves unfold,
On the Alder you’ll behold,
Crimson catkins swing!
They are making ready now;
That’s the song I sing!


Reference:
Pagan News
Pagan Book of Hours
Farmers Almanac

Images:
Mia Wasikowska as Alice in Wonderland
Alder Photo by Phillip of Halifaxlight on Flickr

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