Joyous Ostara! Happy Easter! 2025!
Happy Easter! Joyous Ostara! As the flowers bloom and the world awakens to the bright hues of spring, we potatoes find ourselves feeling...well, complicated. Usually, we adore this time of year! When the air starts to warm, the flowers begin to bloom, and everything feels fresh and alive. But this year has been heavy. More downs than ups. More anger and frustration than celebration.
The truth is, it's been hard to feel festive at all. Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day came and went, but they felt dimmer and exhausting. The joy we normally feel has been dulled by the constant barrage of chaos and cruelty from the government, from the world. And now, as we approach Ostara and Easter, we’re struggling to find the light.
But we’re still trying. We’re still here. We’re still adamantly searching for the joy. And we want to encourage all of you to do the same, even if it feels impossible. Even if it feels like a fight. Because, in a world this broken, carving out space for joy is an act of rebellion.
The Ancient Festival of Ostara
Ostara, rooted in ancient Germanic and Norse traditions, marks the Spring Equinox—the moment when day and night are perfectly balanced. It’s a celebration of renewal, growth, fertility, and the awakening earth. A time when the natural world begins to come alive again, thawing from the cold grasp of winter.
The name Ostara/Easter is thought to be derived from Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and dawn. Her symbols, the egg and the hare, represent fertility, rebirth, and the promise of new beginnings. Just like the Earth itself waking from its long winter slumber.
During this time, people would gather to celebrate the renewal of life and light. They’d decorate, feast, drink, and paint eggs, symbols of fertility and creation. It was a joyful, vibrant holiday meant to honor the natural cycles of the world.
From Ostara to Easter
With the Christianization of Europe, the early church, as it often did, saw these beloved pagan traditions as a threat. Rather than erasing them entirely, they rebranded them to fit the Christian narrative. Ostara, with its deep-rooted connections to life, fertility, and renewal, was repurposed to align with the story of Christ’s resurrection.
This blending, known as religious syncretism, deserves critical reflection. While it may have unintentionally preserved certain aspects of Ostara, the church’s primary intent was to replace it, not honor it. The goal was to devour the old traditions and establish dominance, not create harmony. And yet—despite the erasure, despite the forced assimilation—the spirit of Ostara survived! The eggs, the rabbits, the celebrations of life and light! They endured.
So many of these cherished customs still echo through our modern celebrations, woven into the fabric of Easter whether acknowledged or not. And acknowledging them doesn’t diminish the joy of the season! It deepens it. It brings an honesty and richness to our celebrations, recognizing the beauty of what once was and what still persists.
Despite the attempts to replace and rebrand, the spirit of Ostara stands, bright, resilient, and alive. Even in times of turmoil, the essence of renewal and hope has persisted. And maybe that’s something we need to hold onto, now more than ever.
Celebrating Traditions Old and New
We potatoes are doing our best to find joy where we can. Even if it feels different this year. Even if it feels harder. We’re still setting our table with holiday treats—this year, we are weary, and keeping our feasting incredibly light. So we decided instead of focusing on a large meal, to make ourselves an Ostara basket, which is something we have not done for many years now! It felt important this year to treat ourselves a little bit. It’s not an elaborate basket, but it’s cute, fun and soothing, and that’s what we need right now.
Ostara basket with assorted candies, dark chocolate rabbits, and mimosas. It is not a lot, but it is fun and different for us! We have not had a basket in an incredibly long time! :)
It’s okay if your celebrations feel smaller or quieter. It’s okay if you’re not able to muster the same enthusiasm you used to. Joy doesn’t have to be big and loud to be real. It can be the simple act of enjoying a favorite movie, lighting a candle, or just taking a moment to breathe.
We’ve put together a cozy movie lineup—nothing too heavy, just a mix of favorites that feel soft and kind. We feel we can all use some gentleness at this time.
Easter/Ostara Movies 2025!
Bambi
Miss Potter
Mary Poppins
4. Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day
5. Wallace and Gromit and the Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Paddington
Zootopia
Holding Space for Healing
We know this year has been harder than most. We know that finding joy feels like a struggle. And if you can’t find that spark of happiness right now, that’s okay. It’s okay to feel heavy. It’s okay to feel tired. It’s okay to not be okay.
This season of renewal doesn’t demand anything of you. It doesn’t insist you feel bright and joyful. Renewal can be quiet. It can be rest. It can be allowing yourself to feel the weight of the world and choosing to honor your own needs first.
Maybe your celebration this year is simply giving yourself permission to rest. To acknowledge that things aren’t okay but that you’re still here, still moving forward. And that’s enough.
Cheers to the Season!
As we gather to celebrate, let’s allow ourselves to embrace whatever joy we can find—even if it’s small, even if it’s fleeting. Let’s honor the traditions of the past, the rituals of renewal, and the persistence of light in dark times.
And if you can’t feel joyful this year, know that you’re not alone. You are seen. You are valid. Whatever you’re feeling right now, it’s okay. Do not sacrifice your peace, your money, or your well-being for the sake of this unhinged society, the pressures of capitalism, or harmful family dynamics. Take care of yourself, and remember that your well-being and peace are so important.
May your days be gentle. May your nights be peaceful. And may you find whatever comfort you need this season. Cheers to the wide variety of artists and their wonderful art that keep us going. Cheers to the light we all have within us, even if it’s a little dim right now. And most importantly, cheers to you!
Happy Ostara, Happy Easter, and Happy Spring 2025!
The Ostara/Easter Drinking Game!
Take a sip anytime:
1. Anyone says “Easter”
2. Anyone says “bunny”, or “rabbit”
3. Carrots on screen
4. Rabbit or Rabbits on screen
5. You hear chirping birds
6. Anyone is dyeing eggs
7. There is an Easter egg hunt
8. Colorful eggs on screen
9. Colorful spring flowers on screen
10. There is family drama of any kind
11. There's a gathering with friends or family
12. There is candy onscreen
13. There are Peeps marshmallows on screen
14. There is a Easter parade or festive event
15. All scenes set in a Church
Have you seen any of the movies on our itinerary? Did you love them? Did you hate them!? What films do we need to watch? Do you like this drinking game? Are there rules missing? Is the game too intense? What do you like to do to celebrate during this time of year? What are your favorite traditions? Have you come up with any new or different traditions? What do you think of this holiday? Any and all thoughts are welcome! Let us know down in the comments and always remember to be safe and drink responsibly! (Drinks can be water, soda, anything nonalcoholic, etc. Please be safe, have fun and take care of you!)