Two Easters

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This year my family is celebrating two Easters…one in America and one in Greece.

Elysian mysteries in ancient Greece celebrate rebirth after death in winter. In modern Greece, Easter celebrations connect with the Christian Orthodox faith.

In Greece...Easter means RED eggs!

  

...and candles at midnight

There have been accounts of dying and rising gods for thousands of years of our history…the resurrection of Egyptian Horus, Mithras, worshipped at Springtime, Dionysus, resurrected by his grandmother. All the stories highlight fertility, conception, renewal, descent into darkness, and the triumph of light over darkness or good over evil. They represent the cycle of the seasons and the stars.

The goddess Eostre

From Lakota scholar Tristan Picotte, here's a New World view: “For many Native American cultures, the seasons also coincide with certain traditions and beliefs. The arrival of warmer weather signals the return of animals and plants. Beautiful greens roll across the plains and mountains, and wildlife forages in the area. Tribes recognize this as the time to gather, confer with one another and make decisions that affect the community as a whole. For our ancestors, these gatherings decided who got to go where, how adversarial tribes were to be handled, and what new resources were available.”

The name of our holiday, Easter, comes from Eostre, goddess of Spring, also Ostara, Austra, and Eastre. She is a spirit of renewal.

The Latin name for Easter, Pascha is derived from the Hebrew Pesach, meaning Passover. Both holidays celebrate rebirth – in Christianity through the resurrection of Jesus, and in Jewish traditions through the liberation of the Israelites from slavery.

Whether you observe a religious holiday or the coming of Spring, I wish you a happy spirit of rebirth.

Some Spring Celebrations

 

         Spring marks the end of winter and the beginning of summer. The vernal equinox, falling on March 21, when the length of the day and night are equal, marks the beginning of spring.

        Since ancient times, the vernal equinox has been celebrated in many cultures around the world. In Christianity, Lent is the prominent spring-time observance, signifying Christ’s sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for forty days, while Easter, appropriately enough, marks the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. Indeed, many other cultures, such as the ancient Egyptian, celebrated the rebirth of their main Deity Osiris, every year during this period.

In Persia, the festival of Nowruz, which dates back to the pre-Islamic Zorastrian civilization, is celebrated joyfully, even in present times. It is Iran’s New Year, and is observed by visiting friends, family, and sharing meals.

        The popular Hindu festival of Holi occurs in Spring as well. Also known as the ‘Festival of Colors,” it is a time of celebration, merry-making, love, and forgiveness. Children (and adults) throw colored powders and water on each other, all in good fun. While mostly observed in India, it has now spread to other places in the world.

        By far the largest festival in China, the Spring equinox marks the start of the country’s Lunar New Year. A seven-day festival. It features the iconic red lanterns, dragon dances, fireworks, banquets and parades. Exuberant celebrations are held all over the world.

Best wishes to all on the Spring equinox!

 

        Mohan Ashtakala (mohanauthor.com) is the author of "Karma Nation," a literary romance and "The Yoga Zapper," a fantasy. He is published by Books We Love. (www.bookswelove.com)