Oestara

Oestara is the Saxon/Norse name of the Goddess of growth and fertility. She is universally worshiped: She has many traits in common with the Baltic Goddess/spirit Vila, and her name is common to the Hebrew matriarch Ester. Many of our words for the female's process of fertility and recreation come from Her name, such as Estrogen. The Christian holiday of Easter is named for Her: the name is a holdover from the Pagan celebration of spring, Ostara, which bears Her name (Easter probably derives from the Hebrew form of Her name, Ester). While the purpose of the celebration changed---from honoring spring to honoring the rebirth of the Christian messiah--the name remained.

The bird on Oestara's shoulder is a great tit, the national bird of Estonia.

Acrylic on canvas, 12x36.