The meanings of the different customs observed during Easter/Eostre Sunday are buried with time...
Only one thing is certain, All of these customs are a Salute to Spring...
Most Pagans know that Easter has is roots in the ancient customs of celebrating the Vernal Equinox, and many have heard the stories of Eostre the Goddess of the Dawn. There is some dispute about such things among the Pagan community (isn't there always?) But, as a Pagan Parent I have embraced Eostre and her Hares...
One Familiar custom of Easter/Eostre is the Easter Bunny. Tomorrow children all over will wake up to find that this wonderful Rabbit/Hare has left them baskets full of candy & toys... He has also hidden all the eggs that they so joyfully colored & decorated today... Children will hunt for these eggs (and eggs full of candy) in a gran egg-hunt... Neighborhoods & organizations organize egg-hunt competitions and children will compete to find the most eggs... Easter eggs seem to go fairly far back in both English and continental celebrations, and of course symbolize the beginning of new life. The hare also known for its fertility appears fairly early in Easter celebrations.
As Pagan Parents, What is it that we tell our children? Surely not the Judeo-Christian stories? There just isn't allot of info out there to provide us with stories of our own. I think we should embrace the Goddess Eostre... There are a few wonderful tales. While we color our eggs today, I will tell my grandchildren tales of this Beautiful Goddess and her Hare... As I hope many Pagan Parents will also be doing.
Eostre's sacred animal is a Hare/Rabbit — an obvious symbol of fertility — and the egg is her symbol of fertile purity. So Easter Egg hunts are packed with symbolic meanings of rebirth and renewal.
Grimm in his Teutonic Mythology maintained that "Ostara, Eástre, was Goddess of the growing light of Spring." The date of the holy tide would make this a reasonable conclusion. Holy water in the form of the dew or water collected from brooks was gathered at this time. Washing with it was said to restore youth. Beautiful maidens in sheer white were said to seen frolicking in the countryside Also according to Grimm, the white maiden of Osterrode, was said to appear with a large batch of keys at her belt, and stride to the brook to collect water on Easter morning. Eostre/Easter is a Holiday of Transition, as is Spring...
Cross buns were of course baked and eaten. While this could be a Christian addition, that cakes were often use in Heathen rites is apparent in any survey of the lore. And the cross may be symbolic of the rune Gebo or the buns may represent the sun wheel...
Bonfires and vigils also seemed to play a role in many Easter rites.
Another part of this custom is the Easter Lily;
For many, the beautiful trumpet-shaped white flowers symbolize purity, virtue, innocence, hope and life—the spiritual essence of Easter...Since the beginning of time, lilies have played significant roles in allegorical tales concerning the sacrament of motherhood. Roman mythology links it to Juno, the Queen of the Gods. The story goes that while Juno was nursing her son Hercules, excess milk fell from the sky. Although part of it remained above the earth (thus creating the group of stars known as the Milky Way), the remainder fell to the earth, creating lilies.
A mark of purity and grace throughout the ages, the regal white lily is a fitting symbol of the greater meaning of Easter. Gracing millions of homes and churches, the flowers embody joy, hope and life. Whether given as a gift or enjoyed in your own home, the Easter Lily serves as a beautiful reminder that Easter/Eostre is a time for rejoicing and celebrating.
Have a Blessed Eostre/Easter
I wish you all Love & Light in your lives
Wicca Dreamers Mary
Only one thing is certain, All of these customs are a Salute to Spring...
Most Pagans know that Easter has is roots in the ancient customs of celebrating the Vernal Equinox, and many have heard the stories of Eostre the Goddess of the Dawn. There is some dispute about such things among the Pagan community (isn't there always?) But, as a Pagan Parent I have embraced Eostre and her Hares...
One Familiar custom of Easter/Eostre is the Easter Bunny. Tomorrow children all over will wake up to find that this wonderful Rabbit/Hare has left them baskets full of candy & toys... He has also hidden all the eggs that they so joyfully colored & decorated today... Children will hunt for these eggs (and eggs full of candy) in a gran egg-hunt... Neighborhoods & organizations organize egg-hunt competitions and children will compete to find the most eggs... Easter eggs seem to go fairly far back in both English and continental celebrations, and of course symbolize the beginning of new life. The hare also known for its fertility appears fairly early in Easter celebrations.
As Pagan Parents, What is it that we tell our children? Surely not the Judeo-Christian stories? There just isn't allot of info out there to provide us with stories of our own. I think we should embrace the Goddess Eostre... There are a few wonderful tales. While we color our eggs today, I will tell my grandchildren tales of this Beautiful Goddess and her Hare... As I hope many Pagan Parents will also be doing.
Eostre's sacred animal is a Hare/Rabbit — an obvious symbol of fertility — and the egg is her symbol of fertile purity. So Easter Egg hunts are packed with symbolic meanings of rebirth and renewal.
Grimm in his Teutonic Mythology maintained that "Ostara, Eástre, was Goddess of the growing light of Spring." The date of the holy tide would make this a reasonable conclusion. Holy water in the form of the dew or water collected from brooks was gathered at this time. Washing with it was said to restore youth. Beautiful maidens in sheer white were said to seen frolicking in the countryside Also according to Grimm, the white maiden of Osterrode, was said to appear with a large batch of keys at her belt, and stride to the brook to collect water on Easter morning. Eostre/Easter is a Holiday of Transition, as is Spring...
Cross buns were of course baked and eaten. While this could be a Christian addition, that cakes were often use in Heathen rites is apparent in any survey of the lore. And the cross may be symbolic of the rune Gebo or the buns may represent the sun wheel...
Bonfires and vigils also seemed to play a role in many Easter rites.
Another part of this custom is the Easter Lily;
For many, the beautiful trumpet-shaped white flowers symbolize purity, virtue, innocence, hope and life—the spiritual essence of Easter...Since the beginning of time, lilies have played significant roles in allegorical tales concerning the sacrament of motherhood. Roman mythology links it to Juno, the Queen of the Gods. The story goes that while Juno was nursing her son Hercules, excess milk fell from the sky. Although part of it remained above the earth (thus creating the group of stars known as the Milky Way), the remainder fell to the earth, creating lilies.
A mark of purity and grace throughout the ages, the regal white lily is a fitting symbol of the greater meaning of Easter. Gracing millions of homes and churches, the flowers embody joy, hope and life. Whether given as a gift or enjoyed in your own home, the Easter Lily serves as a beautiful reminder that Easter/Eostre is a time for rejoicing and celebrating.
Have a Blessed Eostre/Easter
I wish you all Love & Light in your lives
Wicca Dreamers Mary