The Story of Ostara and the Hare

As the days grow longer and the earth begins to wake, many turn to the old stories that celebrate the return of spring. One such tale—perhaps my favorite—follows the goddess Ostara, and how a little hare came to carry her magic.

In this version of the story, Ostara, goddess of the dawn and renewal, finds a bird lying in the snow with its wings frozen and useless after the long winter. Moved by compassion, she transforms the bird into a hare, an animal better suited to the land and the season ahead.

But the hare kept something of its bird soul. It could still lay eggs, bright, beautiful eggs that held the spirit of spring. As a gift to Ostara, the hare began decorating and delivering them each year, marking the turn of the seasons and the joy of rebirth.

And so, in this telling, the Easter Hare came to be—not born from candy aisles or cartoons, but from an old, tender tale passed down like a quiet blessing. A story spun from threads of kindness, magic, and gentle transformation. Over time, as stories often do, the hare softened into the familiar bunny we know today—still carrying eggs, still bringing wonder, still arriving with the light of spring. It may not be ancient, not in the way of old stones or stars, but it’s been carried lovingly through time—gathering meaning as it moves, like seeds caught in the wind. And perhaps that’s what makes it feel so sacred still, especially in the hush of early spring.

Of course, this is only one version of Ostara’s story. I’ve heard others, and I imagine more have been whispered through time—each one shaped by the hearts that hold it. Whether you see her as a goddess, a symbol, or a spark in the soil, I think she carries the same message: new life, renewed hope, and the warmth that follows winter.