The Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft: The Complete A-Z for the Entire Magical World - Judika Illes 2005

Ostara
Calendar of Revelry and Sacred Days

See also Easter.

Ostara is the Anglo-Saxon spelling of the name of the Germanic deity of spring, whose celebration closely coincides with the vernal equinox. Among her sacred attributes are rabbits, painted eggs, babies, and children. Although “Ostara” and “Easter” are merely slight variations on the same name, Ostara still holds pagan resonance and lacks the profound identification with Christianity that Easter has; Ostara is the name most frequently used by Neo-Pagans. It names one of the Wiccan sabbats.

Celebrations and rituals of Ostara correspond with pagan Easter practices. Further details will be found in the entry for Easter.