Eostre

Matron of Spring

Goddess of the Dawn

A New Dawn

Eostre (also known as Easter; Proto-Germanic *Austrǭ) is a Germanic fertility Goddess of spring and the dawn. Attested in Bede's The Reckoning of Time, she is the namesake of the early English month corresponding to April (Easter-month; Old English Easter-mōnaþ). Many cognates of her name are found across Germanic cultures - notably the Old High German Ôstara.

 

A feast historically took place in her name during this time; to which our Order observes during the Easterblōt.

Art: God Idol - Eostre by C.N.J. Cornwell, 2023.

Art Analysis

A new dawn has risen; with it comes the illustrious Eostre in this god-pole design – an idol for her worship.

 

Her golden hair as brilliant as her manifestation, our Dawn Goddess’ beauty is without doubt. Atop her head sits a crown of daisies – white as the virginal maidens on the May Day and orange as the first light of Sunna. Flanking this is a large forget-me-not; both flower and devotional of our ancestral Folk who could not forget the ancient name of Easter.

 

She brandishes a wicker basket full of the bounties the end of winter brings. A peeking bunny peeks out, symbolic of virile fertility. Colourful eggs, so renowned in our English custom, fill the rest of the hamper as signs of new life. Reflective in the coming of Spring then herald, our rosy-fingered Matron Easter is resplendent as the warmth in our lives – much felt around this season!

An abstract depiction of the Sunne’s rising dawn is her sacred image for this design and sits above her Runic Name. The idol shape remains consistent, as does the Sonnenrad (Sun-Wheel) to symbolise divinity.

 

As soft as silk and exquisite as gold, Eostre is a beauty without equal. Easter is her month and, under the Pink Moon, the Easterblōt is observed by our Order. Forget not the joy of Spring’s coming, as the days grow longer, and warmth abound. Forget not her name either – it is not to be passed over... Hail the Coming Dawn!