Origins of Easter

Firstly let me state that I do not wish to offend any belief systems but I'd like to write about the secular or non-Christian origins of Easter.

The leaders of the early Christian church were pragmatists and realised that the old religions held a lot of attractions to people and that they would have to adopt the old festivals to bring the people to their church.

Easter is just one such festival. Many of the symbols associated with Easter can be traced back to the Pagan goddess Eostre (the same root as Oestrogen). Bunnies are associated with this goddess whose symbol was a rabbit or hare. Exchange of eggs is an ancient custom, celebrated by many cultures, to signify rebirth following the spring equinox.

The early Christian church in Britain celebrated Easter at the equinox until the early middle ages, when they adopted the Nicaean directives which aligned Easter to the festivals prevalent in the Middle East - in this case the Jewish festival of Passover. This means that Easter Sunday will be the first Sunday after the first full moon following the Spring Equinox. Hence the reason that Easter Sunday can vary so much from year to year.

What ever your beliefs have a great and peaceful day.