Falling between March 20-23 in the Northern Hemisphere and often referred to as Ostara in witchy circles, the Spring Equinox is a time when light and dark, night and day, are in equal balance. A liminal time, and the symbolically the beginning of spring on the Wheel of the Year, the Spring Equinox, or Ostara, is ideal for focusing on growth, fertility, birth and rebirth.
Celebrating the Equinox
Some of my favorite ways to celebrate this Sabbat take me outdoors. If the weather is nasty, that outdoor time might be a quick, open-armed embrace of the dawn—just enough to breathe in the fresh promise of the season. But when the skies are clear and the air carries the first warmth of spring, I take my time. I spend the day preparing my garden, raking leaves, clearing debris, and filling the bird feeders to welcome back returning songbirds. And my favorite activity? Planting bulbs in anticipation of summer flowers, setting the intention for beauty and growth long before the first bloom appears.
There’s something incredibly powerful about getting my hands in the dirt. The energy of the Spring Equinox is rich with potential, and nothing embodies that promise quite like the act of planting. Watching something grow from a seed is a tangible reminder of transformation—of what patience, care, and a little magick can accomplish.
That said, I have to admit: while I love the idea of growing plants from seeds, my track record isn't the best. Whether it’s vegetables or flowers, I rarely see them through from sprout to harvest. So when I plant my vegetable garden this spring, I’ll be using starter plants, ensuring a thriving garden (and a better chance of homemade salsa!).
Spring Equinox Magick
But while starter plants are wonderful for gardening, when it comes to magick, manifestation, and spiritual workings, I reach for the seed packets. Seeds require patience, attention, and care—just like the most potent spells and intentions.
One of my favorite ongoing rituals begins at Imbolc, when I bless a handful of seeds with energies aligned with a long-term intention. As they sprout, I nurture them with moon water charged specifically for my working, tending to their needs as the spell unfolds. Now, as we approach Ostara, those seedlings sit in a sunlit pot, their delicate stems supported by a Crystal Word plant stake accented with moss agate, a stone known for growth and abundance. With each watering, I continue to weave magick into their care, until they are strong enough to be planted outdoors this summer—just as my intention takes deeper root in my life.
Of course, seed magick isn’t the only way to work with the energies of the Spring Equinox. This Sabbat is a time of balance, renewal, and the bursting forth of new possibilities. Whether you celebrate outdoors or within your sacred space, here are some ways to weave Ostara magick into your practice:
Spring Cleaning & Space Clearing – Just as we sweep away winter’s remnants from our gardens, clearing stagnant energy from our homes can refresh our spirits. Open windows, burn cleansing incense, or create a purification wash with herbs like rosemary, lemon peel, and lavender to wipe down surfaces.
Abundance Rituals – Ostara’s energy of renewal makes it a powerful time for prosperity magick. Work with citrine or green aventurine, set abundance-focused intentions, or create a charm bag filled with basil, chamomile, and bay leaves to attract wealth and opportunity.
Fertility & Creativity Workings – Whether you’re manifesting new life, new projects, or new inspiration, the energy of the Spring Equinox supports fertility in all its forms. Consider anointing a candle with jasmine or rose oil and visualizing your dreams taking shape, much like a seed waiting to bloom.
Egg Magick – Eggs are a deeply symbolic part of Ostara, representing fertility, transformation, and the cycles of life. Paint or decorate eggs with sigils or intentions, bury eggshells in your garden to encourage growth, or use egg-shaped crystals in your altar work.
Sunrise Blessings – As the day and night stand in balance, welcoming the rising sun can be a beautiful way to embrace Ostara’s energy. Step outside at dawn, breathe deeply, and set an intention for the season ahead, allowing the first light of day to charge your spirit with renewal.
Blessed Be
However you celebrate the Spring Equinox, I hope you see growth in the manifestation of your dreams.
Blessed Ostara Incense, perfect for honoring the Spring Equinox.
