Celebrating Ostara: the Spring Equinox is here

Tomorrow marks Ostara, the Spring Equinox, a time of perfect balance in the Celtic Wheel of the Year and the official first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Day and light are in equilibrium at last, and from this point onwards the light will begin to defeat the dark. Right on cue, today felt like a switch had been flicked: the sun actually felt warm, the skies were blue and suddenly, everywhere, nature was stirring - flowers, birds and bees. It’s a time for fresh starts, plans and projects - I don’t know about you, but I have felt change in the air these last few days and it’s been a long time coming.

The Christian celebration of Easter evolved from the festival of Ostara, a time traditionally associated with fertility, renewal and rebirth. It takes its name for the goddess Eostre or Ostara who was traditionally celebrated in April. The hare is a traditional Celtic symbol for this time of year - linked to the moon, rebirth and immortality - and this is thought to be where the Easter bunny comes from. The egg is another Celtic symbol, one we still understand as representing fertility, growth and balance - particularly apt for the Vernal Equinox. The birch tree - one of the first to come into leaf - is also associated with this time of the year in the Celtic calendar: the Celtic goddess Ostara was celebrated by dancing in and around these trees between now and Beltane. I know I’ll enjoy watching the leaves of the silver birch I can see from my window emerging in the coming weeks.

I always like to do something to mark the occasion, whether that’s setting the table for a simple supper, making a cake full of Spring flavour or going to the Botanical Gardens for the first al fresco picnic of the year, I aim to be outside and to embrace nature and new season colours and flavours. We’re well past the darkest days now, and if that’s not worth celebrating I don’t know what is!

I thought I’d make a wee list of things I’m looking forward to in the coming weeks now we’ve reached this pivotal time of Ostara. Please do comment with your own as well!

• Spotting all the Spring flowers - is there anything more pleasing than a sea of cheery daffodil heads, bobbing in the Spring breeze?

• The daylight: we pay for it in Winter here in Scotland, but the long, long days of Spring and Summer are coming and I can’t wait for it to be light at 7 p.m.

• Losing layers! There’s a Scottish saying, ‘ne’er cast a clout ‘til May is oot’, but I’m hoping to at least lose the thermals in the coming weeks.

• Homemade hot cross buns slathered in butter - I’m thinking of sharing a round-up of recipes soon.

• Putting on a lighter duvet, changing my bed linen to a lighter and brighter set, and packing away the blankets for a while.

• Walks in the Spring woods - wild garlic is everywhere, and bluebells will be oh so soon.

• Blossom season - the magnolia is starting to flower and cherry blossom will follow. I can’t wait to see the Meadows in all its pink, floral glory.