A Guide to Cleansing, Balance, and Renewal During Ostara
Eostre, the Celtic Goddess of Spring and Dawn. AI generated image by Dani
The full moon in Virgo graces the sky on Friday, March 14 at 2:55 AM ET, just six days before Ostara, the Spring Equinox. This lunation, occurring in the meticulous and earthy sign of Virgo, signals a potent time for purification, organization, and setting the stage for the rebirth that Ostara heralds. As the waning moon guides us toward release and the equinox promises new beginnings, this celestial window is a powerful portal for clearing out stagnant energy, physically and spiritually, to make way for abundance and balance.
Ostara & The Celtic Origins of the Vernal Equinox
Ostara, the ancient festival of the Spring Equinox, marks the point of perfect balance between light and dark, day and night. Named after the Germanic and Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre, this celebration honors the renewal of life, fertility, and the Earth's reawakening. In Celtic tradition, the equinox was a time of sacred balance, where druids and priestesses performed rituals to ensure harmony between the worlds of the seen and unseen.
The Celts, deeply attuned to the cycles of nature, viewed Ostara as a time of planting intentions—both literal seeds for crops and spiritual seeds for personal growth. Eggs, as a symbol of fertility and potential, were often painted with sacred symbols and buried in the earth as offerings to the gods and goddesses of abundance.
Eostre & Her Magical Hare: The Origins of Easter
Eostre’s Sacred Hare; acrylic on canvas by Dani
The legend of Eostre and her magical hare is deeply woven into the fabric of modern Easter traditions. According to ancient folklore, Eostre transformed a bird into a hare, gifting it the ability to lay colorful eggs only during the spring festival. This hare, a sacred companion to the goddess, symbolized fertility, swiftness, and the cycles of nature.
As Christianity spread through Celtic and Germanic lands, many pagan traditions were absorbed and rebranded under Christian holidays. The veneration of Eostre and her hare became Easter, where the symbols of eggs and rabbits endured but were stripped of their original pagan significance. The Christian Church sought to suppress Celtic folklore and traditions, often demonizing them as heretical in an effort to establish religious dominance over indigenous spiritual practices. Despite this, the echoes of Ostara remain alive in modern Easter celebrations—hidden in plain sight like the eggs children eagerly search for each spring.
The Celtic Origins of Spring Cleaning
Long before the concept of ‘spring cleaning’ became common practice, the Celts observed a sacred cleansing of home and hearth during the waning days of winter. This was not merely a practical act, but a spiritual ritual. Homes were swept out with brooms infused with protective herbs, such as rosemary and lavender, to banish negativity and stagnant energy. Windows were washed with enchanted waters infused with mint and thyme to welcome clarity and fresh beginnings. The act of deep cleaning was believed to remove ill fortune and prepare the space for prosperity and growth.
Full Moon in Virgo Ritual: Purification & Renewal
What You’ll Need:
Tree Pose. AI generated image by Dani
Crystals: Amethyst (clarity), Moonstone (intuition), Clear Quartz (purification)
Incense: Frankincense & Myrrh for spiritual cleansing
Herbal Tea: A blend of chamomile, lavender, and peppermint
Yoga & Meditation: A sequence focusing on grounding (Tree Pose, Child’s Pose, and Forward Fold)
Ritual Steps:
Sacred Space Preparation – Light your incense and arrange your crystals in a circle around you.
Moon Meditation – Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and visualize the moon’s energy washing over you, clearing away what no longer serves you.
Yoga Flow – Move through grounding yoga poses, focusing on your connection to Earth.
Tea Incantation – As you sip your herbal tea, whisper: “By the waning moon’s silver light,
I release, I cleanse, I make things right.”Closing – Give gratitude and journal your intentions for the upcoming equinox.
Spring Cleaning Ritual: The Magic of Letting Go
The Art of Swedish Death Cleaning
Spring is the perfect time to practice Swedish Death Cleaning, a mindful approach to decluttering that asks: What would I leave behind if I were to depart tomorrow? This practice isn’t morbid—it’s a liberating way to take inventory of our possessions, making intentional choices about what adds value to our lives.
Ritual Steps:
Simmer lemon peels, eucalyptus, and cloves in water to cleanse the air naturally. AI generated image by Dani
Set an Intention – Before cleaning, light a white candle and say: “With broom and cloth, I clear the way,
For fresh beginnings on this day.”Declutter with Purpose – Sort through belongings with gratitude, donating or repurposing what is no longer needed.
Energetic Cleansing – Burn dried sage, rosemary, or palo santo in each room.
Air Purification – Simmer lemon peels, eucalyptus, and cloves in water to cleanse the air naturally.
Blessing Your Space – Place fresh flowers in a vase and say: “This home is filled with love and light,
May it be blessed, day and night.”
Managing Allergens & Keeping the Air Clean
Spring cleaning isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s also an opportunity to mitigate allergens like dust, pollen, and pet dander. Here are a few witchy and practical ways to keep your air pure:
Peace Lilies improve air quality and bring life to your space. AI generated image by Dani
Salt Lamps – These help neutralize airborne pollutants.
Herbal Sachets – Fill pouches with dried lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint to keep air fresh.
Beeswax Candles – They naturally clean the air by releasing negative ions.
Houseplants – Snake plants, peace lilies, and spider plants improve air quality and add life to your space.
Essential Oil Diffusers – Use eucalyptus, tea tree, and rosemary oils to clear congestion and refresh your home.
Closing Thoughts: Aligning with Nature’s Rhythms
As we bask in the light of the Virgo full moon and step forward into the energy of Ostara, we are reminded of nature’s eternal cycles—release, renewal, and rebirth. By honoring these sacred transitions with intention and ritual, we align ourselves with the wisdom of the Earth, stepping forward into a season of balance, vitality, and magic.
Blessed Ostara and Full Moon Blessings! 🌕🌿✨
I used the assistance of ChatGPT to help organize this blog.