The story of the goddess and the hare is a popular folktale that has been passed down through generations in various forms. The tale typically centres around the goddess Eostre, also known as Ostara, who represents the spring season and new beginnings.
In one version of the story, Eostre was on a walk in the woods when she came across a bird that had been injured by a hunter's arrow. The goddess took pity on the bird and decided to heal its wounds. She transformed it into a hare so that it could better protect itself from hunters.
The hare was grateful to the goddess for saving its life and wanted to show its appreciation. It asked Eostre what it could do to repay her kindness. The goddess replied that she wished for the hare to be her messenger and to spread her message of hope, joy, and renewal throughout the land.
From that day on, the hare became a sacred animal and a symbol of Eostre's message of renewal and fertility. It is said that during the spring equinox, the hare would dance and play in the fields, bringing joy and abundance wherever it went. It was also believed that the hare laid eggs, which represented new life and growth.
The story of the goddess and the hare serves as a reminder of the importance of kindness, compassion, and gratitude. It also symbolizes the cyclical nature of life and the need to embrace change and transformation in order to grow and thrive.
Updated: May 3, 2023
In many cultures, the hare is considered an animal totem with a variety of symbolic meanings. Here are some common associations with the hare as an animal totem:
Speed and Agility: Hares are known for their incredible speed and agility, which can be a symbolic representation of quick thinking and being able to respond to changing situations in life.
Fertility and Rebirth: Hares are also associated with fertility and rebirth, as they are known for their prolific breeding and ability to produce many offspring. In some cultures, the hare is even considered a symbol of the moon, which is also associated with cycles of growth and renewal.
Intuition and Sensitivity: Hares are known for their acute senses and awareness of their environment, which can be symbolic of being in tune with one's intuition and being sensitive to the energies around them.
Trickster Energy: Hares are often depicted as mischievous and playful, which can be a symbol of embracing one's inner child and having a sense of humour and playfulness in life.
Transformation: In some cultures, the hare is considered a shapeshifter, which can be symbolic of undergoing transformation and metamorphosis in life.
The hare as an animal totem can represent a variety of traits and qualities, including speed, agility, fertility, intuition, playfulness, and transformation.
The Festival of Ostara, also known as the Spring Equinox, is a pagan holiday that celebrates the arrival of spring and the awakening of new life. It usually falls around March 20th or 21st in the Northern Hemisphere and September 20th or 21st in the Southern Hemisphere, depending on the astronomical timing of the equinox.
The name Ostara is derived from the Germanic goddess Eostre or Ostara, who was associated with the spring season and new beginnings. The holiday is also sometimes referred to as Eostre or the Vernal Equinox.
The Festival of Ostara is a time to honour the balance between light and dark, as the days and nights become equal in length. It is also a time to celebrate the return of warmth and light, the awakening of new life in nature, and the renewal of the earth's fertility.
Some common traditions and practices associated with the Festival of Ostara include:
- Decorating eggs, which are a symbol of new life and fertility.
- Planting seeds and bulbs to honour the rebirth of nature and new beginnings.
- Lighting candles or holding bonfires to represent the return of warmth and light.
- Holding feasts or gatherings to celebrate the arrival of spring and the renewal of life.
- Honouring the balance between light and dark by meditating on the themes of balance and harmony.
The Festival of Ostara is a time to embrace the energy of new beginnings, renewal, and growth, and to honour the balance between light and dark in nature and in ourselves. What are some of your favourite Ostara Traditions? I would love to hear about them! Please leave a comment below!