What is Easter?

Find out about the meaning and symbolism of Easter!

When is Easter and what are its origins?

The Christian festival of Easter is traditionally celebrated on the first Sunday after the New Moon that follows the Spring Equinox. Easter has its origins in the ancient Anglo-Saxon festival of the Goddess Eostre. This is another example of a Christian festival that is based on a much older Pagan tradition.

What has the Hare got to do with Easter?

The Hare is the sacred symbol of the Anglo-Saxon Goddess Eostre who gave her name to the Christian festival of Easter. In modern times the ‘Easter Bunny’ has come to represent the Hare, it is a more commercially viable version of the original Pagan symbolism. In Pagan times the Hare, also known as the Corn Spirit, represented fertility, new life and growth.

How do Easter eggs fit in with this?

The painted eggs that are associated with Easter are ancient symbols of fertility, derived from the once wide-spread belief in Northern Europe that Hares laid eggs. This supposition arose as they sleep in nest-like structures called ‘forms’, quite similar to Lapwing nests.

In fact, eggs are symbolic not only of new life, but of life after death and were often carved upon tombs and used as decorative images in temples throughout the ancient world. For example, such carvings can be seen at the Temple of Isis at Sidon in Lebanon. Hence the early Christians seizing upon this symbolism to promote the concept of the resurrection of Christ.

Who is Eostre?

Eostre is the Anglo-Saxon Goddess of Spring, symbolising fertility, new life and growth. She is associated with the countryside and with agriculture, as new life springs forth from the earth after it’s winter sleep. As such, she would have been honoured in order to invoke her blessing upon the land to ensure a bountiful harvest. Eostre is mentioned in Anglo-Saxon literature and is linked with the Maiden aspect of the Triple Moon Goddess.

How did Eostre become Easter?

Eostre’s sacred animal is the Hare and her sacred symbol is the egg. The egg being linked to the laying of eggs by birds at this time of year, leading to new life. Easter is associated with the month of April and hot cross buns, so popular now, have their origins in Pagan offerings to Eostre. Originally, the crosses on the offering symbolised the four quarters of the moon.

As with many other Pagan festivals, such as Halloween and Christmas, the early Christians took over this Pagan celebration of the Spring, stamping their mark upon it. They replaced the ‘rebirth’ and ‘regeneration’ of the countryside with the celebration of the resurrection (rebirth) of Jesus Christ.

The Pagan offerings of ‘moon cakes’ given in homage to Eostre then became our modern day hot cross buns. The crosses representing the four quarters of the moon, then came to represent the cross used at the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In this way, by usurping ancient beliefs and festivals, the early Christians were more easily able to convert the indigenous population to Christianity.

Why not make a Spring altar dedicated to the Goddess Eostre?

Lay a white cloth upon a table and decorate it with the following objects:

Vases of Spring flowers such as bright yellow daffodils, sweet scented hyacinths, violets and primroses.

Silver candle holder with a yellow or green candle

Incense with an uplifting scent to invoke the spirit of Spring

An image symbolic of Eostre, the Goddess of Spring

Yellow and green ribbons

Crystals such as yellow calcite, citrine, aventurine and malachite

Moon cakes or hot cross buns to use as offerings

When you have created a beautiful, personal altar to Eostre, the Goddess of the Spring, light the candles and incense. Allow the incense to waft around you and gaze deeply into the candle flame. Focus on what you would most like to achieve in the coming year and ask Eostre to bless your new project.

Place the moon cakes or hot cross buns upon the altar as an offering to Eostre. By eating some of your offerings you will ingest the essence of Eostre’s blessing which will imbue you with the power to achieve your heart’s desire.  Remember to say a prayer of thanks to Eostre for the granting of her blessing on your new project.

Warning: Be mindful not to leave lighted  candles unattended!