We are just about a week out from Ostara. Granted, when I look out my kitchen window in the morning, I see nothing but a blanket of white yet… but Spring is on its way. It will be here, even though right now, it surly don’t feel like we are ever going to see it.

Either way, Ostara is in about a week. My daughter is three now. The last couple of years we really didn’t do much other than balance eggs on their end on the Equinox. That has been a family tradition for as long as I can remember. You go and dig the eggs out of the fridge and try to balance them on the pointy end. One is only supposed to be able to balance the eggs on the first day of spring. We have never tried it any other day of the year; I realize, it should be able to be done of the autumn equinox as well…. but this is a spring tradition.

Picture is from 2012 “egg-balancing” on the equinox.

Like I said, my daughter is three. I want to start incorporating traditions for her into our Ostara celebration. Let’s be honest, until this year… I was doing all the motions, but it was for me so I could take picture of her. This year is going to be so different, at least I hope!

Now, growing up… I was raised Roman Catholic. Obviously then, I celebrated Easter with my family, and we had the “Easter Bunny” come to our house. It wasn’t until I was much older and beginning as a newbie that I realized the significance of the “Easter Bunny” in relation to being a Pagan. I liked the symbolism of egg hunts in regards to Osiris and Isis and the story of their love. I enjoyed the symbolism of  the sun and moon with the eggs.  Then again, eggs and rabbits go hand in hand with the spirit of the season (fertility anyone?).

This has brought me to my current feelings, as it stands. My child is going to have an “Easter Bunny”, but we are reverting back to the original spelling of Eastre for our visiting bunny. (Partly, I am doing this because our house isn’t totally out of the “broom closet” with all aspects of our family. We just aren’t ready to deal with some of them yet.)  I want my daughter to associate the bunny for what it was meant to be and represent to us as Pagans.  Granted, I am not going to be explaining to a 3 year old the significance of a bunny in regards to all the aspects with fertility, but I firmly believe that I want her to associate the bunny with the holiday it was meant for. Besides that, even as a Christian raised child, I enjoyed the mystery of the bunny. Why wouldn’t I want that for her? I want her to experience the wonderment and joy of searching for colored eggs in and around our home and a basket of goodies. I will take her on an egg hunt this year as well, hopefully I can find a children’s book about the love story of Isis and Osiris to read to her as well, otherwise I will be doing my best rendition of the story as I can remember it. (this would be the time for me to say that if any of you know of one published, please contact me…)

So as we creep ever closer to Ostara, my daughter and I will start doing more and more art projects with the theme of eggs and spring. I will be doing my best to try and teach her what Ostara means to us. My only hope is that she has fun, the rest will come with time, and I know that. =)

To each and everyone of you… May you have a very blessed Ostara and a wonderful year of abundance ahead!