Revival of Nature

We celebrate the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere with the spring equinox on March 20. The beginning of spring is celebrated as an important time in many cultures and belief systems. In the Northern Hemisphere, it usually occurs around March 20 or 21, during which time nature begins to reawaken, plants sprout, birds migrate, and days become longer and warmer. In mythology, the arrival of spring is associated with the rebirth of the gods and their return to earth, thus nature awakens again. The beginning of spring is also important in Eastern philosophy and is associated with cosmic balance. The balance between feminine and masculine forces, such as Yin and Yang, Shiva and Shakti, plays an important role in the cycle of nature. It is thought that with the arrival of spring, this balance and harmony in nature is re-established. Also emphasized is the balance between opposing elements, such as fire and water; Fire is thought to be associated with vitality and activity, while water is associated with softness and abundance.

The arrival of spring is generally seen as rebirth or revival in mythology. In many cultures, spring is associated with the gods and goddesses, and during this period it symbolizes the revival of nature, increased fertility and the resumption of life. For example, in Greek mythology, the symbol of spring is when Persephone comes out of the underworld, meets her mother Demeter, and gives life to nature.

Sumerian Mythology

Dumuzi (known as Tammuz in Babylon) in Sumerian mythology is an important god figure associated with the cycle of nature and fertility. Dumuzi is Inanna’s lover and also a shepherd. According to the story, Inanna goes underground for some reason but cannot return. The only condition for her to return to earth is for someone else to go underground in her place. Inanna, angry at her husband for not mourning for her, sends Dumuzi to the underworld. However, when Dumuzi goes underground, the soil becomes infertile, animals do not give birth, and infertility occurs. Therefore, it is decided that Dumuzi must be taken from the underground, and Geshtinanna offers to go to the underground world for her brother Dumuzi for half a year. As a result of this accepted offer, Geshtinanna goes underground and Dumuzi comes to the surface. They are with Inanna for 6 months of the year, and for this reason, flowers bloom, crops increase, and abundance spreads throughout the world again.

In this way, in Sumerian mythology, the story of Dumuzi is closely associated with the cycle of nature and the beginning of spring. Dumuzi’s death and rebirth reflects the process of death and revival of nature and is one of the symbols used to celebrate the arrival of spring.

Egyptian Mythology

In ancient Egyptian mythology, Osiris was an important figure as the god of fertility, death and rebirth. The story of Osiris is closely related to the cycle of nature and is symbolized by the beginning of spring.

The story of Osiris begins with his murder by his brother Set. Set dismembers Osiris’ corpse and scatters it. However, Osiris’ wife, Isis, finds him and collects his 7 pieces. With the magic power of Isis, Osiris gains the power to resurrect from the dead and becomes the symbol of life after death.

The death and rebirth of Osiris symbolizes the cycle of nature and the constant change between life and death in Egyptian mythology. This story is linked to the soil as the source of fertility and reflects the agricultural cycles of planting the seed, growing, dying and being reborn.

Celtic Mythology

In Celtic mythology, nature gods such as Cernunnos or Belenos are associated with the beginning of spring and fertility. Cernunnos is known as a horned god in Celtic culture and is a symbol of fertility, fertility and life.

Germanic Mythology

Ēostre or Ostara is a goddess who symbolizes the beginning of spring in Germanic mythology and pagan traditions. Ostara is associated with fertility, rebirth and the awakening of nature. In the German pagan tradition, Ostara marks the official beginning of spring and celebrates the revival of nature during this period.

Ostara’s name is also considered the origin of the English word “Easter” and is associated with the Christian Easter. In Christianity, Easter celebrates the rebirth of Jesus after his death and is therefore similar to the revival of nature. Some elements from the pre-Christian German pagan tradition may have been integrated into the Christian Easter.

One of the symbolic elements of Ostara is the rabbit figure. Other symbols include the egg, because eggs and rabbits are symbols associated with fertility, rebirth and abundance.

Thus, there is a strong connection between Ostara and the beginning of spring, and Ostara plays an important role in celebrations of the awakening and revival of nature. These celebrations are held to celebrate the new beginnings of communities and the revival of fertility and life.