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The Origins of Easter: An ancient Celebration of Fertility & Renewal, with Sensual Rituals performed by the Priestesses of the Goddess
- Renee Boje
- Feb 4
- 9 min read
Updated: Mar 17
To view the complete chapter on this subject from my book, please visit my Patreon Page. If you resonate with this blog entry & are interested in diving deeper in exploring the history & magic of plant spirit medicines, please visit my crowdfundr website, where your can learn more about the book I am currently working on, Entheogens & the Goddess, and discover the ways in which you can support the birth of this passion project.
Introduction: In honour of our next Wheel of the Year Women's Ceremony, celebrating the Goddess Ostara & the Spring Equinox coming up Thursday March 20th I offer this blog entry made with Love & Devotion for the Goddess Ostara.
Long before the time of Christ, the celebration we now call Easter was woven into the sacred rhythms of nature, rooted in the divine mysteries of the Goddess. Born of ancient traditions that honored the cycles of life, fertility, and renewal, this sacred season was once a time of ecstatic reverence for the Great Mother, celebrated through sacred rites, joyous unions, and the gifts of the Earth’s bountiful medicine.
Ishtar: Ancient Goddess of Spring who’s history is abundant with symbols we now associate with Easter
During the 3rd and 4th centuries BCE, the Mesopotamian Mother Goddess Ishtar, who was known as the Queen of Heaven & was worshipped throughout what was once called Akkadia, Babylon, and Assyria. And is now called Iraq, parts of Iran, Syria, Kuwait and Turkey Ishtar was revered for her compassion and her ability to heal.
In the East, the great Goddess Ishtar reigned, her name echoing in the chants of priestesses who called forth love, fertility, and abundance. She was born of an egg, a vessel of cosmic life, and each year she descended into the underworld to reunite with her beloved Tammuz, ensuring the renewal of life on Earth. This sacred marriage of Goddess and God was reenacted in the temples of Babylon, where high priestesses joined with the sacred king in a rite of divine union, sealing the harmony of the heavens and the Earth.
As the wheel turned, the worship of Ishtar transformed, but her spirit endured. Even as patriarchal religions sought to suppress her power, she lived on in the figure of Esther, the Jewish Queen who, like Persephone, was taken by force but used her divine wisdom to save her people. The festival of Purim, still celebrated today, is a lingering echo of these ancient rites—revelers donning masks, drinking deeply, and celebrating the triumph of the Goddess’s wisdom over tyranny.
Sacred incense was burned by the devotees of Ishtar to bring them closer to their Goddess. The herb they burned was called Sim Ishara which means “aromatic of the Goddess Ishtar”
A well respected Assyrian scholar named Dr. Erica Reiner believed Sim Ishara is the same Akkadian herb known as “qunnabu”, or cannabis.
Many Goddesses from a wide variety of cultures have similar qualities to Ishtar, including Aphrodite, Innana, Astarte & Ostara/Eostre.
Historical and Mythological Background
Like the goddess Ishtar, the goddess Ostara, is an ancient Germanic deity associated with spring, renewal, and fertility, who represents a powerful feminine archetype that has endured in cultural and spiritual traditions. Ostara is primarily known through references to Eostre, a Germanic goddess mentioned by the 8th-century scholar Bede in The Reckoning of Time (Bede, 725). Bede notes that the month of April, called Eosturmonath, was named after the goddess, and that pre-Christian Anglo-Saxons celebrated her during this time. While historical evidence about Ostara is limited, her association with spring and fertility is reinforced by later Neopagan and Wiccan traditions, which connect her with renewal and the balance between night and day during the vernal equinox (Hutton, 1996).
Her mythology is also linked to the fertility of the land, the awakening of animals, and symbols such as the hare and the egg—both of which are potent representations of rebirth and fertility (Grimm, 1835). These symbols persist in modern Easter traditions, which are believed to be influenced by pre-Christian Ostara celebrations.
Ostara as a Feminine Archetype
As a figure of transformation, abundance, and cyclical rebirth, Ostara embodies the nurturing, creative, and regenerative aspects of femininity. Her role as a seasonal goddess aligns her with the rhythms of nature, emphasizing growth, fertility, and the balance between darkness and light. This paper explores Ostara as a feminine archetype, examining her historical significance, symbolic associations, and relevance to contemporary discussions of femininity.
Archetypes are universal symbols or patterns found in mythology, psychology, and literature. Carl Jung’s theory of archetypes suggests that these figures emerge in human consciousness as fundamental aspects of the collective unconscious (Jung, 1959). Ostara, as a goddess of spring, aligns closely with several key feminine archetypes, including the Mother, the Maiden, and the Creatrix.
The Maiden: Ostara reflects the youthful, vibrant energy of the Maiden archetype, embodying innocence, new beginnings, and hope. Just as spring is a time of renewal, Ostara symbolizes the potential for transformation and fresh starts, encouraging growth and exploration (Walker, 1983).
The Mother: As a fertility goddess, Ostara also represents the Mother archetype, nurturing life and ensuring abundance. Her connection to the cycles of the earth reinforces the idea of feminine wisdom, care, and the sustaining power of creation (Neumann, 1955).
The Creatrix: In some interpretations, Ostara embodies the Creatrix archetype, the divine force responsible for generating new life and sustaining the natural world. Her influence is seen in the budding of flowers, the return of animals from hibernation, and the renewal of the earth after winter (Ruether, 2005).
Goddess Ostara Created with AI Symbolism and Cultural Influence
Ostara’s symbols, particularly the egg and the hare, carry deep associations with fertility and regeneration. The egg represents potential, the cycle of life, and the interconnectedness of all beings. The hare, known for its prolific reproduction, signifies fertility and the energetic force of life returning to the earth (Frazer, 1890).
A Sophisticated Hare Created with AI In modern Pagan and Wiccan traditions, Ostara is honored during the Spring Equinox, a time of balance and transition. Rituals often include planting seeds, decorating eggs, and invoking the goddess to bless new endeavors (Adler, 1979). Her influence is also evident in contemporary feminist spiritual movements, which emphasize the sacred power of feminine energy and its relationship to nature (Starhawk, 1989).
A Newspaper Illustration Valentine, Nebraska Democrat of April 9, 1903. In a newspaper article from 1903, below the above illustration of Ostara, it states: “Ostera was worshiped very generally in northern Germany, and it is believed that the fame of the goddess spread to England, where the Saxons joined in worshiping her. Until the beginning of the present century the court was paid to Ostera by the kindling of great bonfires and in other ways, and even to-day in some of the remote districts where many superstitious beliefs are treasured by the peasantry the fame of Ostera still lives.”
Goddess Ostara Created with AI To this day, the most recognizable trace of the modern Easter Bunny leads us to Ostara. Ostara was known by many names across the world: Astarte, Esther, Ishtar, and Eostre. Her name gives us not only the festival of Easter but also words like “estrogen,” which carry the essence of feminine vitality and creation. Legend tells us that Ostara transformed her beloved bird into a magical hare, bestowing upon it the ability to lay eggs during her sacred festival—a symbol of life’s miraculous rebirth and the divine balance of nature’s cycles.
Priestesses of Ostara celebrating her on her feast day with cannabis ale The ancient Germanic people honored Ostara through sacred rites of renewal. They gathered in joyful celebration, drinking cannabis-infused ales, feasting upon the sacred hare, and joining in ecstatic union beneath the warm light of the spring sun. These sacred gatherings, led by priestesses and wise women, wove together song, dance, and the revelry of divine love, calling forth the fertile energies of the Earth to ensure the abundance of the coming year.
Entheogens in German History:
The term Entheogens was coined by R Gordon Wasson, Jonathan Ott and Carl Ruck. It is a more reverent way to describe botanicals as well as certain derived chemical substances, which induce altered states of consciousness that assist humans in connecting with the divine within. Entheogens have been an integral part of various cultures throughout history around the world.
Viking Goddess Freya with her Lynx drawn chariot filled with Cannabis Created with AI Ancient Germanic Practices
Historical records suggest that ancient Germanic tribes employed entheogens in their spiritual and ritualistic practices. Cannabis, for instance, was possibly associated with the Norse love goddess, Freya. Linguistic evidence indicates that the word "hemp" derives from Old English "hænep," tracing back to Proto-Germanic origins, suggesting early familiarity with the plant. The etymology of this word follows Grimm's Law by which Proto-Indo-European initial k- becomes h- in Germanic.
Germanic Priestesses communing with Amanita Muscaria Mushrooms in Ceremony Created with AI Additionally, the Amanita muscaria mushroom, known for its psychoactive properties, is believed to have been used by these tribes. The mushroom's vivid appearance and mind-altering effects likely made it a candidate for ritualistic purposes, possibly to induce trance states or communicate with the spirit world.
Medieval and Renaissance Periods
During the medieval era, the use of entheogens in Germany became intertwined with the practices of folk healers and midwives. Plants such as henbane (Hyoscyamus niger), belladonna (Atropa belladonna), and mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) were commonly used in herbal potions and ointments. These plants contain tropane alkaloids, which can induce altered states of consciousness. During the dark ages those working with entheogenic medicines had to do so in secret to avoid being persecuted for witchcraft.
Priestesses of the Goddess Ostara celebrating her with cannabis ale Created with AI Given the historical evidence of the use of entheogens in Germany, it is easy to imagine the ancient Germanic Priestesses of the Goddess Ostara would likely have prepared cannabis ale to share with their community during the Spring Equinox in celebration of their beloved Goddess Ostara and the coming of Spring.
Goddess Ishtar Tarot Card image Created with AI Honoring the Goddess Today: As a feminine archetype, both the Goddess Ishtar and the Goddess Ostara embody the themes of renewal, fertility, and transformation. They serve as a reminder of the cyclical nature of life and the importance of balance between light and dark, growth and stillness. Whether viewed as a historical deities or as a symbolic representation of the feminine principle, Ishtar and Ostara continue to inspire those who seek to reconnect with nature’s rhythms and the creative power of femininity. Their enduring presence in both ancient and modern traditions highlights the timeless relevance of feminine archetypes in understanding the world and ourselves.
Goddess Ostara Tarot Card Image Created with AI Though the old ways have been reshaped by time, the sacred echoes of the Goddess remain. In the eggs we dye in vibrant hues, we honor the cosmic womb. In the rabbit, we see the spirit of fertility and abundance. And in the renewal of the Earth, we celebrate the unending cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, the eternal dance of the divine feminine.
To truly honor the coming of Spring, we can reconnect with these ancient rites in our own sacred ways—lighting candles in Ishtar and Ostara’s name, planting seeds as an act of devotion, partaking in the gifts of the Earth’s sacred herbs, and joining in love and pleasure to celebrate the magic of life. The Goddess is ever present, her whispers carried on the spring breeze, calling us to rejoice in the beauty of the world she has blessed us with.
Blessed be.
Written with Love & Devotion by Renee Boje
To view the complete chapter on this subject from my book, please visit my Patreon Page. If you resonate with this blog entry & are interested in diving deeper in exploring the history & magic of plant spirit medicines, please visit my crowdfundr website, where your can learn more about the book I am currently working on, Entheogens & the Goddess, and discover the ways in which you can support the birth of this passion project.
References:
Primary and Historical Sources:
Bede. (725). The Reckoning of Time. Translated by Faith Wallis. Liverpool University Press, 1999.
Grimm, J. (1835). Deutsche Mythologie. Göttingen: Dieterichsche Buchhandlung.
Frazer, J.G. (1890). The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion. Macmillan.
Hutton, R. (1996). The Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain. Oxford University Press.
Academic and Theoretical Works:
Adler, M. (1979). Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today. Beacon Press.
Jung, C.G. (1959). The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious. Princeton University Press.
Neumann, E. (1955). The Great Mother: An Analysis of the Archetype. Princeton University Press.
Ruether, R.R. (2005). Goddesses and the Divine Feminine: A Western Religious History. University of California Press.
Starhawk. (1989). The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Goddess. HarperOne.
Walker, B.G. (1983). The Woman’s Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets. HarperOne.
Image Citations:
davideferro.net. (CC BY 2.0). Queen of the Night Relief. Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9811114
Sailko. (CC BY 3.0). Ishtar on an Akkadian Seal. Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=77568210
The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (CC0). Cultic Scene on an Assyrian Cylinder Seal. Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=117746113
Eduard Ade / Johannes Gehrts. (Public Domain). Illustration of Ostara. Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
Additional References:
Valentine, Nebraska Democrat. (April 9, 1903). Historical newspaper article on Ostara.
Wasson, R.G., Ott, J., & Ruck, C.A.P. (1978). The Road to Eleusis: Unveiling the Secret of the Mysteries. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
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