Spring awakening!
While the Easter long weekend is now over, it got me thinking about traditions.
Growing up in a Christian household, this was a time when we would "praise the resurrection of Jesus Christ". I would wake up to an Easter egg hunt, get dressed in my Sunday best and head to church with my parents. This was always followed by a fancy Easter dinner, prepared by my Nan, and inevitably more chocolate than I knew what to do with!
While I grew up with these traditions, year after year, I don’t feel that I ever truly believed in any of it; to me it was always about family time… and chocolate. And, to be honest, it still is!
While religion and “God” are not something I have any belief in nowadays, I am still surrounded by those who are truly devoted, those who claim to be, and those who clearly aren't fooling anybody. I never really cared before, and just went along with it all, but having a daughter to instill honest and open values in has created a need to figure things out for myself.
And so, I have!
Despite the fact that I have probably been to church 1000 more times than he ever has, DH likes to poke fun at me and call me a heathen because I am not Catholic, like he PRETENDS to be (yes, I said it). And so, I have turned to Paganism. What is a Pagan?
Whatever Easter is to you, I guess we can all agree that it is about the celebration of life; fertility and rebirth... and, in my case, irony.
Growing up in a Christian household, this was a time when we would "praise the resurrection of Jesus Christ". I would wake up to an Easter egg hunt, get dressed in my Sunday best and head to church with my parents. This was always followed by a fancy Easter dinner, prepared by my Nan, and inevitably more chocolate than I knew what to do with!
While I grew up with these traditions, year after year, I don’t feel that I ever truly believed in any of it; to me it was always about family time… and chocolate. And, to be honest, it still is!
While religion and “God” are not something I have any belief in nowadays, I am still surrounded by those who are truly devoted, those who claim to be, and those who clearly aren't fooling anybody. I never really cared before, and just went along with it all, but having a daughter to instill honest and open values in has created a need to figure things out for myself.
And so, I have!
Despite the fact that I have probably been to church 1000 more times than he ever has, DH likes to poke fun at me and call me a heathen because I am not Catholic, like he PRETENDS to be (yes, I said it). And so, I have turned to Paganism. What is a Pagan?
A person holding religious beliefs other than those of the main world religions.And, in fact, most historians, including Biblical scholars, agree that Easter was originally a pagan festival!
Synonyms: heathen, infidel, idolater, idolatress; archaicpaynim
The origin of Easter can be traced to the pagan festival called “Ishtar”, which is pronounced “Easter.” On this day, Anglo-Saxons honored Eeostre or Eastre — a goddess of spring and fertility. She is also known as Ostara, Austra, the goddess of the dawn and a bringer of light.
Her symbol was the hare (a symbol of fertility) and eggs are associated with this goddess. This story is backed by the writings of an eighth-century monk and historian called Venerable Bede.
http://www.pulse.ng/
So while there is no crucifixion or resurrection, both of which have been shown to be false by the way, there are bunnies, eggs and chocolate! And, since the Christians stole those symbols from the Pagans, they must be the best part, right? So you can have them, as long as we can share!
Whatever Easter is to you, I guess we can all agree that it is about the celebration of life; fertility and rebirth... and, in my case, irony.
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