Easter, Eostre and the Equinox

Ēostre was an ancient goddess of the dawn, of spring and rebirth after winter. During her celebration, people exchanged colored eggs. Pysanky, the Ukrainian art of decorating eggs, is several thousand years old.

In time Ēostre became Easter, The hare, her familiar, and the exchange of pretty eggs remain parts of that celebration. Easter is also the name given to the crucifixion and rising from death of Jesus of Nazareth, an event also connected to the Vernal or Spring Equinox [the two moments when the sun is exactly above the equator].

Across Earth’s northern hemisphere, the ascension from wintry darkness and cold to increasing light and warmth reminds that rising from what was to new life is possible.

Self Renewal Magazine says, “Self renewal is a process that allows individuals to reflect on their lives and make necessary changes to improve their overall well-being.” Here are tips.

The Spiritual Life suggests twenty ways to renew, including socialize with different people and declutter your space. Read more.

At this Easter season [in all seasons], consider Thomas Merton’s words,

There is in us an instinct for newness, for renewal, for a liberation of creative power. We seek to awaken in ourselves a force which really changes our lives from within. And yet the same instinct tells us that this change is a recovery of that which is deepest, most original, most personal in ourselves. To be born again is not to become somebody else, but to become ourselves.

BTW, Here’s why the date for Easter changes every year.

and
featured photograph is from my new book
The Noon-Collins Inn, Meditations on Grace
preview here

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