Lambs and Sheep's Association To Ostara

Lambs and sheep are closely associated with Ostara, but their significance predates early paganism by thousands of years. In fact, sheep have been part of humankind's history for so long that it's difficult to precisely trace their origins.Today's flocks likely originate from wild sheep that lived in Northern Europe and Asia millennia ago. But, sheep, as we know them, are very different from their ancestors.

Research indicates domestication and selective breeding of sheep began in Iran around 6000 BCE. Their initial use was to provide milk and meat to growing human populations. The earliest evidence of spinning wool from thread and yarn dates to about 3500 BCE, so it can be assumed that sheep with thick, woolly coats were being bred by then.

All indications are that sheep were the first animals to become fully domesticated and, therefore, the first livestock. As people started growing their flocks, they inevitably became a measure of wealth. Commercial trade around wool, cloth, and sheep products allowed farmers to improve their living standards and provide food security for their families.

It's little wonder then that sheep have played such an essential role in symbolism, mythology, lore, and magick in ancient and more recent history.

We take a closer look at how sheep and their lambs have influenced people and why they're connected with Ostara.

Symbolism

In Western culture, the best-known symbolism of sheep are references to Jesus Christ. He is frequently referred to as the Good Shepherd and the Lamb of God.

The lion and the lamb are also symbols in both Christianity and Judaism. According to St. Augustine, in the Christian faith, the lamb is Christ's sacrifice and the lion, His resurrection.

While not mentioned in Eastern religions, in Asian culture, sheep symbolize spiritual sacrifice.

This relates to either complete devotion to spiritual practice or self-sacrifice due to a lack of spiritual life.

Sheep appear in the zodiacs of Chinese and Western astrology as well. The Chinese Year of the Sheep denotes creativity, sensitivity, empathy, and a tendency to anxiety. Aries, the ram in the Western zodiac, is quite the opposite, bringing the energy of daring, blatant honesty, vigor, and determination.

Mythology and Lore

Since sheep farming has spanned continents for thousands of years, myths and lore vary greatly. In ancient times, shepherds were highly esteemed—the larger the flock they tended, the more significant they were.

In Eastern Europe, it was believed rams could ward off all evil. As a result, effigies of rams were carried as talismans for protection against anything from illness to stock theft. The ram's head was carved into utensils, weapons, walls and doors of homes, stables, and barns as well.

Greek mythology tells of the winged ram, Chrysomallos, with a fleece of real gold. Although he was sacrificed to Zeus by Phrixus, his fleece represents power, royalty, and true kingship. Whoever holds that fleece is the true ruler.

Aesop, thought to have been a slave in ancient Greece, used sheep and lambs in his well-known fables. Two of which are "The Wolf and the Lamb" and "The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing."

The ancient Egyptian god of fertility, procreation, and water, Khnum, is depicted with a ram's head. Despite sheep being considered unclean at the time, rams were often used in ancient Egyptian ceremonies and rituals in temples.

In Northern Europe, falling asleep while counting sheep is thought to come from old Celtic dialects shepherds used to keep count of their flock. Numbers chanted melodiously were said to gently put children (and adults) to sleep.

Communities in Europe believed that on Christmas Eve, all sheep face east. After bowing three times, they're gifted with the ability to speak after sunset. This gift could only be given when no human was present and lasted until sunrise. If, however, people listened closely, they could hear the sheep singing hymns, foretelling events to come or gossiping about their living conditions.

Folklore then also believed that Mother Mary protected and loved sheep. If sheep complained of ill-treatment at the hands of shepherds or farmers, it would mean a black mark against their name in the big book held by God.

In ancient Wales, it was said that fairy folk could steal sheep from farmers to grow their flocks. Consequently, farmers regularly held protection rituals to protect their sheep. It was further thought that pixies allowed their flocks to graze on the moors of Northern Wales. Anyone who tried to corral or harm these sheep was destined to ill fortune.

Ostara

Ostara, also known as the spring equinox, continues the celebrations of new life as the lambing season arrives with spring. The spring equinox marks the day when both day and night are equal.

Forests and farmsteads are bursting with new life as blossoms bloom, new crops sprout through the soil, and lambs make their welcome arrival.

New-born lambs are defenseless at birth, but they're born into the protection of the flock that surrounds them. They're precocial, too, meaning they can stand shortly after birth, offering some defense against predators.

Being steady on their legs so quickly means it's not long after lambing season that fields are dotted with happy, jumping, and running groups of lambs. Their joy and play are symbolic of the harvest's growing bounty in the months to come.

In Wiccan tradition, as the sheep suckle and watch over their lambs, the goddess, too, now in her maiden form, nurtures her son. In doing so, she transfers her fertility to the earth, overseeing the budding blossoms and flourishing new life all around her. In the meantime, her son busies himself enjoying nature, dancing, playing, and being creative. He will grow up to become the god and goddess' lover at Beltane.

Calling the Lamb

Sheep in various stages of their lives represent innocence, peace, purity, trust, sacrifice, and protection. Lambs are the picture of innocence, peace, purity, and trust.

Ostara is an excellent time to bring these virtues into our homes and lives. It's also an ideal time to honor those who gave us life and raised us.

You can use the festivities of Ostara to honor your parents and ancestors because, like a lamb, you too depended on them to become the person you are now. They live on in your genetic makeup, and their soul-energy shaped you. Whether their influence was positive or negative, you are who you are today because of them.

The survival of sheep and lambs is closely connected to each other and the seasons. With their calm demeanor, no matter what challenges they face, they teach us gratitude on a very deep level.

They show us how to be grateful and content with what we have right now and how to remain calm, no matter what. When we're overly focused on either the past or present, we neglect to appreciate what we have today.