The History & Astrology of Easter

According to the Venerable Bede, an early English historian, the Anglo-Saxons had a goddess named Ēostre. Bede describes them as having feasts in her honor during the month of April.

Some researchers believe that Bede, himself, invented Ēstre, but others disagree, believing she was a real Anglo-Saxon goddess.

According to Jacob Grimm (one of the two Grimm brothers:

“Ostara, Eástre seems therefore to have been the divinity of the radiant dawn, of upspringing light, a spectacle that brings joy and blessing, whose meaning could be easily adapted by the resurrection-day of the Christian's God.”

When Christianity finally arrived in England, the Church simply kept the pagan spring equinox holiday, but repurposed it to symbolize Jesus’ rebirth instead, which, as Grimm suggests, fit very nicely with the symbolism of the pagan holiday.

The modern English word “Easter” derives from name of this goddess. Ostara, the name of the holida, also came from the name of the goddess.

Ostara, the spring equinox festival, coincides with the Sun’s entry into Aries (0°)—the astrological New Year.

This is a true beginning point. While the calendar year starts in January, astrology begins when life itself begins to rise again. Aries marks the shift from potential to action, mirroring the Earth’s reawakening.

Just before this, the Sun moves through Pisces—the final sign—symbolizing release, endings, and dissolution. Ostara is the threshold where that inner, invisible process becomes visible momentum.

The equinox also reflects the balance of the Aries–Libra axis:

Aries initiates

Libra balances

So this moment isn’t just about moving forward—it’s about moving forward with awareness.

At its core, Ostara in astrology represents:

A reset of energy

The courage to begin

The emergence of something that’s been quietly forming.

It’s not full bloom—it’s the first undeniable sign of life.

Happy Easter! Wishing you and yours a blessed holiday. Keep shining your light. And if no one has told you yet today, you are important and the world needs you.

Shea