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Heartwings Love Notes 821 - Celebrating This Lovely Time Of Year

Heartwings says, "As the seasons change there is much to celebrate."

The equinox has just passed. Daily the light lingers longer and shines brighter. From time immemorial people have found ways to celebrate the coming of the warmer, lighter days and the passing of the dark, cold ones. Back when primitive cultures worshipped personalities that embodied the seasons, they recognized and celebrated gods and goddesses of spring, summer, fall and winter. Celebrations around the world centering on spring, especially in cold climates had much in common with today's Christian Easter

The rising of Christ from the tomb ends a period of self-deprivation or fasting known as Lent. The rebirth of the garden and the growth of new life is echoed in the Christian observance. In the days before refrigeration and supermarkets, Lent was observed willy-nilly, because the garden and the fields were bare and brown. In the cold climates all there was to eat were stored, dried vegetables, roots and grains. Nothing green was available. The growth of the first plants was something to be hailed as individuals foraged and found fresh vegetable matter to eat after the long winter months.

There was great cause to rejoice in the coming of the longer light and the warmer days. Different cultures evolved their own observances centering around their own deities and beliefs. Many of these customs have come down to us and are part of our observances today. The ways we celebrate our Easter, similar to our Christmas celebration have become a conglomeration of the various cultures from which we derive our present day civilization. However they are all a reflection of the original reasons to celebrate: the coming of a time of growth and renewal after a period of hardship and sacrifice.

These customs all contain the affirmation that growth and change will proceed uninterrupted and that the ultimate harvest will be a good one. The bunny that brings the Easer basket is Germanic in origin, a favorite of the goddess of spring. The symbolic eggs too come from there as well as other places, representing symbols of new life. When you buy marshmallow Peeps or chocolate eggs, you echo the innocence of that beginning. The purchase of new clothes too is symbolic as is the Easter feast common to most families. What seems meaningful is not how we celebrate but that as from time immemorial, we acknowledge the wonderful coming of warmer weather and brighter days for us all.

May you celebrate the season however you do, and gather together with joy.
 

I love to hear from readers and would be honored if you would comment and let me know any suggestions or thoughts. If a friend sent you this, you can sign up at my web site, www.heartwingslovenotes.com, where more love notes can be found in the archives.

Blessings and Best Regards,
Tasha Halpert
 

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