Hare's To It...

When I looked up “History of the Easter Bunny” I found a whole lot of information on the goddess Eostre or Ostara, but one article in particular jumped out. It said that there was only really one reference to Ostara by an 8^th century monk, Bede, and that he may have actually made her up (invented her). Interesting. This could be fake news from the year 725? Meanwhile, secular Easter traditions occur all over the world in 2017!

  

“Lore” of this ancient goddess includes her association with a hare and her banishment of said rabbit to the sky (where he exists as a constellation) and how she allowed the animal to come back once a year with eggs. Many articles indicate that early Christianity, while trying to compete with pagan traditions, set holy days to correspond with those traditions in order to gain more converts by easing the cultural transition in this manner.

In our family we usually go to an Easter morning Mass, but this year Russ had to travel that morning. We went to the Saturday evening Mass instead and I really had no idea that it would be two hours long and include a baptism and a confirmation, or that the baby would patiently and quietly sit through the ENTIRE MASS! #Amazing. The ladies behind us said I must have fed him holy water. 

The priest spoke (jokingly) about some people being anxious to resume the activities they gave up for Lent and that it might be better if we let go of things that weren’t good for us anyway (gossiping, too much sugar, etc.). I totally stressed out trying to accomplish all kinds of extra traditions – baskets from the Easter Bunny, egg coloring, family pictures, fresh flowers, and the meal after church. The stress of trying to get it all done brought me to tears and exhaustion. Why? What would be the big deal if we didn’t get to the eggs? Or the baskets? Or the fresh flowers on the table? Or anything?

I can see the significance of Spring and rebirth with the presence of bunnies and eggs. I appreciate the gratitude and newness that the season brings and the Easter traditions that support and reinforce those positive vibrations. So what of the origins if they create a positive experience? Right??? There can be great comfort and joy in continuing family traditions and creating happy memories. But then… what about the stress of them if it all gets to be too much? How about letting that part go? 

Hare’s to keeping all that serves us well, and allowing all that does not serve us anymore to fall away like dead leaves. Here’s to the rebirth. Here’s to the newness of spring and the clearing away of dust, clutter and that which weighs us down or stresses us out. Let every day be filled with new ideas, creativity, and new life. 

Namaste,

T

Here's to honoring our traditions. Whatever they might be. xo

"You may ask how did this tradition get started? I'll tell you. I don't know." 

- Fiddler on the Roof