Today, in the old world, was the Beginning. This is why we have April Fool's Day (another post) and why the financial year still begins at this time on the calendar; this is the New Year. This is the day on which the sun regains its hold on the day; after this and until September, the days are longer than the nights.
Passover. The resurrection of Jesus. Nowruz. The rebirth of Mithras and of Attis, consort of Cybele. This time of year has always been about birth and rebirth.
That's why eggs and rabbits and baby birds.
Easter is named for Eostre who is also Eos who is also Aurora, the Goddess of the Dawn and of Spring, which is, in a way, the dawn of a new year or the dawn of the living things that have been sleeping under snow.
All of that is well and good, but it isn't why today is my Easter. Today is my Easter because, damnitall, holidays should be predictable and evenly distributed throughout the year (as I've mentioned before) and they should have good decorations.
And, since we in America celebrate Easter entirely in a pagan sense anyway, and clearly regard it (as it is) as a festival of Springtime and fertility, we may as well do the thing on the Spring Equinox.
So, today is for eggs and rabbits and birds and flowers and chocolate and peeps and brunches and fancy hats. Winter is finally dead today, at least for another turn of the wheel.
Of course, that's why I'll be so infuriated when it snows in April (but not when Prince does so), because GET IN THE GROUND, Winter!
Botticelli (as always) knew what was up:
No comments:
Post a Comment