Inspiration Soup
The History of Easter From: http://www.dvercity.com/easter.html#easter_history The history of Easter is Christian, Hebrew, and Pagan. Like the days of the week, Easter's name is a survival from Teutonic mythology. The word "Easter" is thought to be derived from the Scandinavian word "Ostra"and Teutonic words, "Ostern" or "Eastre." Both Ostern and Eastre are mythological goddesses of spring and fertility. Their festivals were celebrated on vernal equinoxes. Easter traditions are closely related to the festival, ie., Easter rabbits and brightly colored Easter eggs. Easter rabbits are symbolic of fertility, and brightly colored Easter eggs are symbolic of spring's sunlight, as well as fertility, creation, and new life. Rabbits are known for the great capacity to produce in abundance, especially during Spring. Christians interpret and celebrate Easter through converging religious traditions. Emphasis is placed on the Jewish festival, Passover, an important feast celebrated for eight days, commerating the Israelites flight and freedom from Egyptian slavery. In Exodus 12, the Bible speaks of when the angel of death "passed over" the Israelites' dwellings, sparing their first-born. Passover is celebrated during the first month of the Hebrew year.Many early Christians were raised in the Hebrew tradition, but possessed Jewish origins. They regarded Easter as a new facet of the festival of Passover celebrating the advent of Jesus, the Messiah, as foretold by the prophets (see Luke 24:44-48). Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead at the feast of the Passover in Jerusalem. Controversial, Christians of Jewish and Christians of Gentile origin, differed on the day of Easter's observance. Western churches observe Easter on the first Sunday following the full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox of March 21. Eastern churches, who are closer to the birthplace of Christianity and have a stronger connection to older traditions, observe Easter according to the Passover festival's date. Easter occurs at the end of Lent. The Lenten season is 46 days of penitence in preparation for Easter. The six Sundays in Lent are not a part of Lent, however, are considered a commemoration of Easter Sunday. These Sundays are excluded from the Lenten fast. The last week of Lent is Holy Week, which begins with Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday is representative of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Crowds laid palms at his feet.The Last Supper, held the evening before Christ's Crucifixion, is commerated on Holy Thursday. The anniversary of the Crucifixion of Jesus, the day he was crucified and died on the cross for our sins, is held on the Friday of Holy Week (Good Friday). Easter Sunday, the day of Christ's resurrection, is the culmination of Holy Week and Lent. Catholic Mass on Easter Sunday did not exist in the early church. Easter occurred the night before Sunday's dawn and was called Easter Vigil. Those who were baptized at the Easter Vigil wore white robes throughout Easter week, a symbol of their new life. Those baptized previously wore new clothes, symbolic of their share in the new life of Jesus Christ, an external profession of the Easter grace. Easter parades evolved from the Middle Ages in Europe. Donned in their new Easter clothes, people would take a long walk after Easter Mass, a procession preceded by a crucifix of the Easter Candle. Christian Beliefs About Easter and Its Significance Christians celebrate Jesus' life and his resurrection through the observance of Easter. Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem Jesus' Cleansing of the Temple Jesus Questioned after the Parable of the Marriage Feats The Last Passover, the Lord's Supper instituted Jesus Prays in the Garden of the Mount of Olives and an Angel from Heaven Appears Judas's Betrayal of Jesus Peter's Denial of Jesus The Trial of Jesus Jesus is Mocked Jesus' Crucifixion and Death Jesus' Resurrection The Ascension of Jesus Christ Easter Traditions Easter is a holiday celebration for the whole family held every Spring. Passover, Lent, Holy Week, Good Friday, Easter Vigil In the past, colored Easter eggs were given as gifts and used in Easter-egg rolling contests. After being colored and etched with designs, Easter eggs were exchanged by romantic admirers and couples. This is similar to the traditon of exchanging valentines cards. In Medieval times they were given to servants, while in Germany, they were passed to children. Christians of the Near East adopted the Easter egg tradition, making it a religous symbol representative of the tomb from which Christ broke forth. Often colored red, the Easter eggs were symbolic of Christ's blood, which gave all believers a share in Jesus' new life. New Easter suits and Easter dresses. Easter lilies are a symbol of purity because of its delicate form and whiteness. White trumpet lilies bloom in the spring, around Easter. Lambs, a significant symbol of Jesus Christ, date back to the 7th Century, with the prayers for the blessings of lambs. The main feature of the Pope's Easter dinner was roast lamb. Butterflies are symbolic of Easter. Jesus emerged from the tomb the same person, glorified; butterflies emerge from cocoons as the same caterpillar in new form.
Ostara is a Wiccan celebration that occurs on the Spring Equinox, usually on or near March 21st. This is one of the Lesser Sabbats of the Wiccan religion. It is a time that is marked when day and night are of equal length. This is a day to welcome the arrival of Spring and a celebration of fertility and balance. We rejoice in new life and rebirth and say a farewell to Winter for several months. The symbols for Ostara are mostly spring related items including eggs, bunnies, arrival of flowers and gardening. The egg is probably the most common symbol representing rebirth and spring. This is also a time most Pagans set aside to bless and begin their upcoming gardens. This is usually done with prayers and chants and gifts bestowed upon their future plants. Ostara is one of a few Sabbats that allows one to really involve the kids. The coloring of eggs and hunting them out is one most often celebrated. Children who have been cooped up all winter long crave the beginning signs of Spring. They are finally able to get outside in nature and play once again with Mother Nature. This is a good time to do soul-searching work on one's own internal perspective. This is a time of balance taken the literal aspect due to the equality in light and darkness. Often this equality will allow one to personalize the Sabbat by finding internal balance in life. During Ostara celebrations foods shared usually include egg dishes, cheeses, fish, and the first fruits of the season. Deities usually include youthful and fertile Goddesses such as Persephone, Aphrodite, Hera, and Isis to name a few. Spell work may include a focus on new beginnings and letting go of past behaviors. One of my personal favorite activities is an egg activity. We boil eggs, one egg representing a behavior we wish to incorporate in our life. We color the eggs different colors and write down which color represents which behavior. Then during our Ostara celebration we randomly pick one egg while blindfolded. After taking the blindfolds off we tell each other how we are going to incorporate this new behavior into our everyday life. After eating the eggs, we crush up the shells and sprinkle them outside. Regardless of how one chooses to celebrate this Sabbat, it is often the simple happiness centered on the welcoming of Spring
