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Oschdre is the Pennsylvania German word for Easter, but its origins are in the name of a Germanic spring goddess. In fact, the word Easter has its roots in the Anglo-Saxon name of the same goddess.

According to Jacob Grimm (Teutonic Mythology, volume I, p. 291), the Old High German adverb of ôstar expresses movement towards the rising sun. Grimm postulates that worship of the goddess must have been so firmly ensconced that the Christians tolerated the use of Her name, even applying it to their highest holiday.

To Urglaawer, Oschdre is indeed one of the highest holidays. It is the vernal equinox, the representation of light over dark, warm over cold, spring over winter, etc. The goddess Oschdre is associated with fertility, hence the appearance of eggs and hares in the secular American celebration of Easter. In fact, much like Yuletide, most of the Eastertide secular observances have their roots in Germanic traditions that were passed through to the wider American culture via the Pennsylvania Germans. Folks who are interested in learning more may want to read Eastertide in Pennsylvania: A Folk-Cultural Study, by Alfred L. Shoemaker, though there are plenty of other resources that will be even more candid about the Heathen roots of many traditions that most people consider Christian today.

Distelfink Sippschaft's Oschdre Sege (ceremony) fell on Friday, March 20, this year, as that was the date of the vernal equinox. With an altar full of flowers, dyed eggs (some dyed naturally, others, admittedly, used modern techniques), holy mead and apple cider, and other offerings, we hailed the arrival of Oschdre and thanked the goddesses and gods for the blessings of this bountiful land.

From here we begin the spiritual time of indoor planting and preparation for Walpurgisnacht, which falls on April 30 and signifies the return of Haerrin Holle to the soil. Pennsylvania German tradition holds that three Frost Giants (or frost spirits) pass through in May (13th, 14th, 15th), after which it is safe to plant anything outdoors.

Hail Oschdre!