Mar
Ostara / Eostre
The reason that some of the Germanic cultures had holidays like Ostara and Eostre may be obvious, but what about choosing the date? The modern date is the first full moon after the Equinox. In ancient times, it might be the first full moon after the local stream floods due to the thaw. It may be the full moon after crocuses first appear, or a certain type tree show sprouts, etc. The reason is that Spring weather does not arrive on schedule. The equinox cannot assure that the right weather will manifest quickly. So it is that our ancestors chose to celebrate on a date when they felt sure the Spring weather was here for the long haul. The first full moon was a practical choice.
Keep in mind that our ancestors lived at different latitudes, so their way of determining the Spring festival would naturally vary. Spring warmth would be a few weeks off depending on whether the folks were way up in Scandinavia, out in central Germany or south in the Bavarian Alps. It also varied East to West, and Spring might bloom at a different time in England than in Finland.
