Ostara (Leanne Daharja Veitch)

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  • (Posted 2011-03-21)  CPDL #23288:       
Editor: Leanne Daharja Veitch (submitted 2011-03-21).   Score information: A4, 6 pages, 64 kB   Copyright: Personal
Edition notes: First release of movement 5, "Ostara" from "Wheel of the Year" as a separate work.

General Information

Title: Ostara
Composer: Leanne Daharja Veitch
Lyricist: Number of voices: 5vv   Voicing: SSATB
Genre: SacredPagan music

Language: English
Instruments: Mixed ensemble: Hand drum and cello (cello may be replaced by keyboard)

First published: 2004
Description: First release of movement 5, "Ostara" from "Wheel of the Year" as a separate work.

(Click here for What is Ostara?)

What is Ostara?

Corresponding with the Christian celebration of Easter (and both festivals derive their names from the Norse Fertility Goddess Eostre), Ostara is a celebration of life and fertility.

In the Southern hemisphere, Ostara falls on the 21st and 22nd of September, and in the Northern hemisphere it falls on the 21st and 22nd of March. It is at this time, the vernal equinox, that poultry begin to increase their lay rate, hence the association with eggs at this time.

Symbols of the Equinox include fertile animals (hence the association in the Northern Hemisphere with the rabbit at this time of the year) and eggs - a symbol of new life and new beginnings.

Colors of the season are soft green, white, and soft yellow, and the festival is associated with Venus, the Goddess of Love, and with children and childhood innocence.

Ostara is also associated with the Vernal (Spring) Equinox, and the festival of Alban Eiler (Scottish). It is one of the two annual points of equilibrium and balance.

Ostara is a time for collecting wildflowers, and baskets of flowers are traditional. Also traditional are hats and bonnets decorated with flowers and feathers - it is no coincidence that the many racing carnivals where hats, flowers and feathers are most prized, should fall at this time.

External websites:

Original text and translations

English.png English text

Ostara (repeated)

All hail Ostara when all life is reborn
Honouring new life on Ostara morn

All hail Ostara as the sun rises in the morn
from the freezing biting cold of winter
all hail the day
all hail the light

Life rising
Life growing
Weaving life

Rising, lighting, growing, all hail the light!