THE EGGS OF EASTER

The name "Easter" originated with the name of an ancient Goddess called Eostre. She was the Great Mother Goddess of the Saxon people in Northern Europe. Similarly, the "Teutonic dawn goddess of fertility [was] known variously as Ostare, Ostara, Ostern, Eostra, Eostre, Eostur, Eastra, Eastur, Austron and Ausos." Her name was derived from the ancient word for spring: "eastre." Similar Goddesses were known by other names in ancient cultures around the Mediterranean, and were celebrated in the springtime. Some were: Aphrodite from ancient Cyprus, Ashtoreth from ancient Israel, Astarte from ancient Greece, Demeter from Mycenae, Hathor from ancient Egypt, Ishtar from Assyria, Kali from India. But back to Eostre: The entire month of April was the month of Eostre. The celebrations were centered around fertility, prosperity and growth, and the main symbols were the egg and the hare. Eostre’s light was said to be carried by the hares, perhaps reflecting lengthening days and rabbits seeking tender green bites at sunrise. Hares were also said to be familiars of witches, and reputed to have supernatural powers. In both situations, due perhaps to rapid reproduction, especially in the spring, hares were seen as a symbol of plenty, reproduction, and fecundity. The egg, of course, also represented all those things. And being spring, eggs would certainly been available in abundance during the month of April. To pagans, eggs represent the rebirth of the Earth, and are seen as a celebration of spring. Eggs symbolize new life, just as a chick emerges from an egg, and the Earth emerges from winter into spring. Today we all still share images of rabbits, dye Easter eggs, and eat baby chicks in the form of Peeps. Despite centuries of efforts by the church, those older traditions celebrating the renewal of spring and the richness of the Earth remain. And that’s great - recognizing the great cycle of life that plays out in nature does not diminish religious belief. Rather, it encourages us to wonder at the miracle of life that we all share. Happy Easter!