Easter is derived from two ancient traditions: Pagan and Judeo-Christian. Easter celebration is definitely traceable all the way back to ancient Babylonian trinitarian paganism, Circa 1500 B.C. Pagans have celebrated death and rebirth themes following the Spring Equinox for millennia. Passover Pasch can be traced to a pre-Israelite pagan ritual practiced by wandering Semitic shepherds.
Easter derives its name from Eostre, an Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring. Eoster was the goddess of fertility to the ancient Babylonians; also known as Ishtar and Astoreth (the false goddess Solomon bowed down to in the Old Testatment). A month corresponding to April had been named “Eostremonat,” or Eostre’s month, leading to “Easter” becoming applied to the Christian holiday that usually took place within it.
Passover Pasch an ancient pre-Israelite Pagan ritual practiced by wandering Semitic shepherds and The Feast of Unleavened Bread was originally a traditional Canaanite agricultural harvest which was later adopted by the Israelites. The Feast of Unleavened Bread marked the start of the barley harvest; barley was the first crop to ripen. Because they occurred at about the same time each year, the two celebrations became merged into a two day observance. The Passover became associated with the exodus of the Jews from Egypt. Thus it’s not surprising that religious historians believe that many elements of the Christian observance of Easter were derived from earlier Pagan and Judaic celebrations.
It seems probable that around the second century A.D., Christian missionaries seeking to convert the tribes of northern Europe noticed that the Christian holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus roughly coincided with the Teutonic springtime celebrations, which emphasized the triumph of life over death. Christian Easter gradually absorbed the traditional symbols becoming a holy day of reflection, thoughtfulness and reverence on the occasion of the anniversary of the resurrection of Jesus. Read more.
Melinda
April 8, 2010
Great piece, TiTi–I love the Spring Equinox and I belong to a group of Pagans in San Francisco–we always have celebrations during this passage. Interestingly enough, I was born on the Summer Solstice. One summer, an entire camp of Pagans were convinced I was a reincarnated Goddess because of this! I found it a bit embarrassing actually . . . .
.-= Melinda´s last blog ..The Definition of Insanity =-.
timethief
April 9, 2010
@Melinda,
T his year we didn’t get into celebrating Spring Equinox as we have previously. Even though we had flu shots we were both sick. We’ll make up for that at Summer Solstice. Summer Solstice is an auspicious day to be born on. Lucky you. :)
We are apparently going to have a sunny weekend. I can’t wait to get outside and enjoy it. I hope your weekend is sunny in all ways too.
Love,
TiTi
Lana
April 12, 2010
Regardless of any associated rituals, let’s hear it for Spring! (This year it seemed to take a particularly long time to get here, too!)
.-= Lana´s last blog ..Northern Harrier =-.
timethief
April 13, 2010
@Lana
I’m with you. Yay for Spring! :)
celestial elf
February 18, 2011
Great Post!
Thought you might enjoy my Eostre machinima,
featuring Lisa Thiel’s Ostara song,
I wrote the poem and Lisa let me use her song…
bright blessings ~