The Roots of Easter Sunday

From feasts with family and friends to the Easter Bunny, people all over the world celebrate spring holidays to usher in the new season and to honor their faith traditions. Understanding the origin of Easter and its related holidays can provide you with a renewed appreciation for the season.

 

Springing Forward

Since ancient times, people have celebrated the arrival of spring. It signifies the end of the bitterly cold (and often lean) months of winter and, in many cultures, enjoys an association with birth, the circle of life, and renewed energy. The Spring Equinox, which occurs in late March, serves as a signpost for these events.

 

Early Pagan Festivals

There are multiple theories about which Pagan traditions inspired Easter and its related celebrations. Many believe that the concepts of resurrection and rebirth are entwined, suggesting that spring celebrations revolve around newness: new opportunities, new starts, and new chances for growth.

 

The rabbit (or hare) was often associated with the Goddess of Spring, and some scholars opine that Easter relates to the ability for light to conquer darkness. Similarly, the egg has long been associated with springtime because it represents fertility and birth. Many people consult online psychics during this season to decide how they might renew their energies in the coming months.

 

A Mix of Legends

Christians celebrate Jesus's death and resurrection throughout Passover and Easter. However, Pagans have also long celebrated similar stories related to gods and goddesses. The precise deities vary depending on the source of the information; for instance, Romans, Egyptians, and Greeks all celebrated their own pantheon of gods, yet many of their stories related to one another.

 

While all of these stories might seem to contradict one another, their shared themes unite them around the Easter season. While different cultures and religions might celebrate in their own ways, they often use the same symbols and traditions.

 

Celebrations Galore

Christmas and the winter holidays might receive the lion's share of attention when it comes to celebrations, but Easter commands just as much frivolity. People from all religions and walks of life often gather together with friends and family to share meals.

 

People in ancient civilizations often exchanged eggs, which aligns with the modern practice of hiding eggs for children. The egg's symbolism stands for the ability for life to conquer death, which has filled generations of cultures with hope.

 

Modern Traditions

Today, people celebrate Easter, the Spring Equinox, and other holidays much as they have for thousands of years. It's possible to honor tradition and heritage, however, by eschewing the materialistic trappings of the holiday and instead celebrating its origins.

 

Celebrating outdoors, for instance, is a powerful way to acknowledge nature's gifts and to honor the Earth's contributions to human life. An outdoor picnic or an outdoor service at church could easily fill this role. It's also an excellent time to take advantage of a psychic network so you can make the most of spring.

 

If you've ever wondered about the origins of Easter and its relationship with earth-based religions, now you know. Celebrating Easter is a long tradition that continues to this day.