Many Easter Traditions Origionated with the Rite of the Vernal Equinox

Not surprisingly, the Vernal Equinox - the recognized first day of Spring - has been a celebrated day of femininity and fertility for centuries. The ancient Germans and Saxons have a Goddess named Oestara, the Romans have Aphrodite and Venus. The list of feminine fertility Goddesses celebrated this time of year is extensive an covers the ancient world. When Christianity began to obtain a foothold in the ancient world - absorbing many of the resident Pagans - they recognized no one would convert if they had to abandon all of their own traditions and holidays. This is why so many pagan holidays and Christian holidays not only coincide on a calender but they also have the same practices - with slightly different beliefs behind them. If you break those traditions down, they actually make sense. I find it fascinating to examine what traditions have lasted through the centuries; although I find it sad that many people who practice them have no concept of the meaning behind them.

The Pagans believe the young God, born at Yule, develops through adolescence during this time - so that he may impregnate the Goddess at Beltaine (May 1). As a young man, he bursts through the forest - calling the animals out of hiding, full of exuberance and life. The Goddess is youthful as well, she calls the mothers to her - be they forest animals, livestock or human. If you discount the theology behind the beliefs it is easy to see where such beliefs came from. After the depressing hum-drum of a winter focused on the struggle to remain alive, the ancient people would be able to explore and play outside for a change, come the spring. These ancient peoples would no doubt have been like youths, excited to rediscover the land and celebrate Life.

Spring is a time of fertility. By the time of the Equinox - March 20 or 21 - the first hearty spring flowers are pushing their way up through the snow - patches of new grass may be found in spots of melting. The sun is gaining strength - lasting longer than the night, as well as warming the air and land. On the day of the Equinox night and day are equal in length, with the sun being perpendicular to the Equator.

Resurrection:
It should not be surprising that the main concept of this holiday is resurrection. If you think about the most basic purpose of this season it's the re-awakening of life that had been 'dead' throughout the winter. Trees again grow leaves, animals give birth, flowers again begin to bloom. Spring is a time teaming with life, coming after a time of darkness, waiting, and 'death'.

The 'God" of ancient pagan religions is a physical embodiment of the vegetation, and animals, in nature. The wildness that surrounds us all. In that aspect, there are many myths of gods that die and are reborn each year. Many would be born, grow - as the animals and harvest mature - then sacrifice as a means of protecting or feeding the people. Some would offer themselves as a sacrifice to protect the land, as the leaves and mulch protect the roots of a tree through the cold of winter. The majority of these "Year Gods" were like Christ - the result of a union between a deity and a mortal (even if only symbolic). The son (or demi-god) being a savior who saves his people or land in some way.

In ancient Rome, the rite in honor of Arris would begin on March 15 and would last for 10 days. A pine tree, representing Attis, would be chopped down and wrapped in a linen shroud; decorated with violet's and placed in a tomb in the temple. On the Day of Blood, or Black Friday, the priests cut themselves with knives as they danced - sympathizing with Cybele (Attis' Goddess mother) in her grief, and helping to breathe the energy necessary for his resurrection. Two days later, a priest would open the tomb revealing it is empty - this day was known as Hilaria or the Day of Joy - a time of feasting and merriment. Beginning with his death on the cross on Good Friday, it is believed by some that Jesus entered hell for 3 days while he was entombed. On the 3rd day, Easter Sunday, his body and soul rejoined, arising from the dead in order to ascend into heaven. This concept was not original, although I can not find evidence of the male doing the descending in ancient religions. For many ancient pagans, the Goddess would cross the veil to the Underworld, which was believed to be the resting place of souls in transition between this life and the next, and would exit in 3 days time.

The 3 days should also not be very surprising as there are many instances of the Trinity being sacred to almost all ancient religions. From the Holy Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - of many Christian religions, to the Triple Goddess - Crone, Mother and Virgin - of many pagan religions; to the sacred moon which is dark for the 3 days of the New moon (or Dark Moon). So it is not surprising the darkness of the new moon, at the time of year bursting with new life, would be honored with the fight between death and life. To conquer death. Imagine the battle each winter must have been for the ancients. Without proper heat and food as well as the problems with personal hygiene, death and illness ran rampant in the cold, dark months of winter. To emerge from the homes, victorious at having survived another time of darkness, must have seemed equal to victory in the greatest battle in life. Therefore, it should be no surprise this is such a popular theme at this unique holiday.

Eggs:
Many of us spend time with our children, dyeing eggs, filling plastic eggs with treats, going on egg hunts, and eating sweets in the shape of eggs at this time of year. Most people have no idea why the egg is so sacred. Many ancient myths hold the egg as a sacred representation of life on earth. If you break open an egg the yellow orb of the yolk was like the physical manifestation of the Sun God, which is being honored at this holiday, and the white shell represents the White (Virgin) Goddess. The egg as a whole is a symbol of birth - as a fertilized egg would mature into an animal.

An ancient Germanic myth stated a rabbit so loved the Goddess Eostre, he decorated his eggs and laid them at Her feet as a gift. She was so delighted She wanted all of Her people to experience the joy and beauty of the decorated eggs - to please Her further, the rabbit roamed the world delivering his decorated eggs to the people.

In fact, the egg is one of the chief symbols associated with Eostre - representing the egg of creation. The ancient Persians celebrated the new year on March 21. Many would celebrate by presenting each other with colorful eggs - as a symbol for wishing a person a fertile and prosperous year.

In the Ukraine, eggs were beautifully decorated with magickal symbols for protection, fertility, wisdom, strength, and posterity and given as gifts or used as charms.

In the middle ages, people not only abstained from meat, during Lent, but also eggs.

Egg layers - primarily chickens and ducks for farming - produce eggs at certain times of the year. In the fall production of eggs dwindle, stopping entirely around Yule (Dec 22). They will begin laying eggs around late Feb/early March. So that by the Equinox they are in full production. If you again conceder the harshness of winter - where food stores dwindle, and having anything fresh was something to celebrate - the gift of eggs had to have been view as extremely precious. For to be prosperous enough to eat the eggs, meant you had enough animals that you didn't need that egg to grow into a mature animal.

Planting / Gardening:
To druids (and pagans) the world over, the Spring Equinox is a time of new beginnings. Of setting into motion all those plans and dreams thought up during the introspection and contemplation of winter. Just as Spring is a time of the Earth's joy, the re-awakening of it's fertility we can celebrate that, and honor it, with the further planting and cultivating of a garden. It is a way each of us can feel the connection to nature and deity - we can hold the promise of life in our hands and hearts and watch that life come to fruition.

Baskets and Sweets:
I found it surprising to discover how long a tradition it has been - the gifting of Spring baskets of goodies. Some believe the idea of weaving a basket first occurred to humans after watching a bird weaving it's nest. This correlates the Spring Eggs and the Spring Gift baskets. (For Spring is when many species of birds return to the north as well). The traditional Spring Basket is filled with a large variety of goodies, and has been for aeon's. Many Christians and Catholics believe the tradition originated from the old custom of taking the food for Easter dinner to the Easter Mass to be blessed. But it probably originated with more ancient traditions. Hearkening back to the idea of the cold winter to the ancients - with the sacredness (and rarity) of fresh eggs - it is believed at the Spring Equinox (or there abouts) children would go house to house begging for fresh eggs. This, combined with the ancient tradition of bringing seeds, and the first crop, to the ancient pagan temples as a sacrifice to ensure a good growing season.

Furthermore, it was common (and still is in many corners of the world) to leave food and drink out for the fairies. It was once believed if the fairies were not honored at the Spring and Fall festivals, they would work mischief on the lives of the farmers. This offering is a lot of fun for those of us with young children. I've often told my children the myth that the gateway to the Fey's home lies through the soil - that they hibernate through the winter as the cold would be too much for their wings. So on the Spring festivals we make a snack of something sweet and dance around outside barefoot to 'wake' the faeries from their rest, that they might bless our garden. Traditional fairy treats were always sweet - usually honey, mead or candy - and it could be argued this also worked it's way into the Spring Basket tradition.

Lambs:
Many think Christians hold the card at honoring sheep at this time of year, but in fact, this is also an ancient tradition. The astrological sign of Aries - denoted by a lamb symbol - begins at this time of year. I believe it was coined because this is the time of year for lambs to have been slaughtered. Since most sheep give birth around Imbloc (Feb 2) they have hopefully grown large enough by the Spring Equinox to be slaughtered. This was a blessing to the ancients whose food supplies had been nearly wrung dry through the winter.

The Jews view the lamb as a symbol to honor those who followed Moses out of Egypt. The bible tells a story of how a lamb was sacrificed and the blood was sprinkled over the entrances of Jewish homes. They then ate the lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs - to protect them from the angel of God when it came to take all the first born of the Egyptians. But, when the symbolism is broken down, the lamb was seen as a blessing and protection against death in a time when food was scarce and fresh meat really was the deciding factor between life or death.

Rabbits:
Rabbits are strongly associated with this time of year. It all comes down to rabbits being a sacred pagan symbol blending sex, fertility, the moon, re-birth and renewal. As mentioned above one of the symbols for Eostre was eggs - which a rabbit would decorate in honor of her - so it shouldn't be surprising the rabbit was also a symbol of this goddess. It is said the ancients who worshiped her on the full moon following the Spring (or vernal) Equinox would see a sign of the rabbit on the moon. The rabbit is a strong symbol of fertility and desire to this day. {Hence statements like "Going at it like bunnies."} Further, rabbits and hares are a moon symbol (or goddess symbol) of vitality, fertility and life-force. A rabbits gestation is only about a month, and it tends to be the first animal of the season to procreate. This is one of the reasons the myth has remained so strong - rabbits feet are still considered lucky as they radiate this vitality. The saying, "mad as a March hare" supposedly was coined in the 15th Century in regards to the animals bounding over the wetlands in the springtime in an ever-present search for a mating partner.

During the Renaissance, some believed rabbits procreated without the male being necessary, and they became a symbol of the Madonna's virgin birth. A 16th Century painting by Titian shows Mary clutching a white rabbit, illustrating purity and a control of sexuality. Therefore to many Christians the rabbit became an important symbol of docility, gentleness and submission. I find this tradition somewhat silly - and i am not one to find many traditions silly, as I try to respect them all. But to associate an animal that will procreate as often as possible (right in front of anyone around as rabbits are not shy) with the opposite of promiscuity seems, to me, a little strange. Christians aren't the only ones to have a slightly confused symbolism of the rabbits personality though. Asian images often show a rabbit - traditionally it was thought to represent womanly grace and stillness. So I tend to chuckle at the multitudes of rabbits given as gifts throughout the world at this time of year - since most people don't realize what they're trying to say with such a gift.

Traditional Foods:
This holiday is unique in the broad spectrum of foods that were honored. Many of the ancients had larder's that were near empty by this point, so some of the foods were dried nuts - such as pumpkin, sunflower, and pine, left from the last seasons' harvest. As farm animals were beginning to produce young they would also produce milk so dairy products were also abundant. Things that most represent the season in my opinion, though, are leafy green vegetables, flower dishes and sprouts - as these are the first of the produce available in the spring.
Nuts / dairy / lamb / leafy greens / sprouts / flower dishes / sweets such as candy and hot cross buns

Activities and Ideas to honor the Equinox:
*This is a time of balance between light and dark - sun and moon. Implementing plans to balance your life are one of the most popular themes.
*So too, cleaning the clutter built up through the dark time of the year bring about the term Spring Cleaning, further bringing balance into your home (as dust is a magnet for negativity) - you can further the balance of the world by collecting garbage and debris from your favorite park or beach.
*Go out and collect the first blooms in your area, even if you have to buy them in a store. Filling your home with the first blooms of the season, brings the vitality and prosperity of Spring into your life.
*Plant early seeds - peas, lettuce, cabbage, lily's, etc. You can also start some of the late spring foods indoors.
*Part of the Persian New Year celebration consisted of a special dinner of 7 foods that began with "S". This is great for those of us homeschooling.
*Decorate a small table near a window with a mirror, bowl of water with a fresh picked green leaf floating in it, a candle for each person in the house, rose water, a small dish of sweets & fruit; is also a great way of inviting the Sun & Springs blessings upon your family.
*Draw or paint spouting leaves on an egg and bury it in your garden to help stimulate your plants.
*Light pairs of white and black candles - symbolizing dark and light, positive and negative energy - meditate on developing the balance of the day deep within yourself.
*A fantastic way to break bad habits is to make your own effigy to the habit, once it's complete in representing all your feelings about that habit, burn it - symbolizing the breaking of the psychological connection to the habit or negativity.
*Have each family member choose a seed or seedling - each person holds the seed in their hand and visualizes the plant in full bloom, then visualize it soaking up all your hopes and dreams, wishes for vitality, for someone special. Plant the seed in a pot of soil and pat down the earth (representing the element earth); pour a bit of water over it (from the element of water); take a deep breath of air and hold it for a moment visualizing all of your love for that person - blow a gentle breath over the pot infusing it with your love (from the element air); finally place the pot in direct sunlight for the day of the equinox (sunlight representing the element fire). Give the potted plant to the person you made it for.
*Make a personal charm out of an egg - this is a bit like the negativity effigy, except you want to fill the decoration with all the qualities of something you want to cultivate within yourself. For instance, if I want to be a more patient person, I would focus on that intent while painting the egg with pictures or symbols that represent patience to me. Again set it out in direct sunlight on the day of the equinox to receive the sun's blessing. That night, eat it.

For The Family:
*Dye eggs with natural dyes. Then hide them - the family can search for them. - Once the eggs have been eaten, have the children glue the broken shells onto a piece of paper - or a paper plate, and they make a mosaic of the day. You can use a hole punch to make a hole, use a bit of string and you can hang it in the window.
*Another thing I love to do with the kids - Create a collage of the dark half of the year. Each child gets a page in my scrap book of the year. They can choose from family snap-shots taken over the winter or they can print things off of the computer or draw their own - but they make a page that represents this past season and what they experienced or learned during it.
*Take a walk with your family watching the evidence of winter fading away, looking for signs of Spring. This is a fabulous way to spend time as a family, outside in the sun and fresh air.
*Make an Equinox Mobile that represents the season as well as the balance between light and dark - decorating it with suns & moons, plastic or paper eggs, flowers, clouds, etc.