We don’t know eggsactly!

We don’t know eggsactly! But it seems that the Easter traditions we follow today date back to long, long ago….

Way back when, folklore seems to have the origins in what was then the ‘Festival of Eostre’, which took place during medieval times. Eostre was the goddess of fertility, whose animal symbol was a Bunny. That in turn symbolized Spring and New Life. The Holy Scriptures tell us that the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus occurred round about the time of the Jewish Passover, which equates to our spring. Easter was established in western Europe as being the first Sunday after the full moon following the vernal equinox, the day from which the hours of sunlight become progressively longer.

The two symbols of fertility, the egg and the hare, come together in the ancient German tradition of a mythical hare that laid coloured eggs in its form for good children to find on Easter Day. This was taken to the US by German immigrants in the 18th century and, as Easter gradually became commercialized, the hare became a rabbit and the egg became chocolate. Yum, yum !

Also, because rabbits are known for their energetic breeding patterns, Eostre supposedly laid, decorated and hid her eggs, which were then handed out to good children. Indeed, a heartwarming story which hopefully will live on for generations.

Even more than Easter eggs at our home we enjoy hot cross buns on Good Friday – which Wendy will be making any day now. Traditionally these are eaten on Good Friday, because the cross on the buns symbolizes the crucifixion of Jesus. The buns themselves are also a way to remember the bread and water consumed during the period of fasting that precedes Easter. Additionally, the spices in the buns are seen as representing the spices used to embalm Jesus' body.

More importantly, and without any ambiguity some 2000 years ago, Jesus was sentenced to death for claiming to be the ‘Son of God’. His resurrection 3 days later, defeating both death and sin, celebrates the Christian occasion of Easter. Even today, and in so many ways, Springtime and Easter characterize Good News and Love for all of us.

So this weekend, as we bathe in the purple, white and gold of this joyous occasion celebrating Christ’s victory over death at the cross, borthnaturals wishes you many blessings, together with safe and special activities / reflections of your own.

HAPPY EASTER.