Ostara and Easter

[triedit]

Some of you know from my signature that I recently celebrated Ostara and have Beltane upcoming. With Easter approaching I thought I would share the commonalities.

Ostara is actually a German word which means, loosely, "east" and relates to the goddess of rebirth and the rising sun. Traditionally Ostara is a whole month of feasts and thanksgiving for rebirth of animals and crops and living things in general. Modern day Pagans (sometimes called neopagans) tend to just celebrate at the beginning of Ostara's month.

Ostara celebrations and rites often involve a hare or rabbit. This is symbolic of reproduction--the giving of new life. This is an ancient thing and probably is the beginning of the idea of the Easter Bunny. Celebration of this animal can be traced back to prehistoric times in Europe. The decoration of eggs is also a celebration of fertility and new life that dates back to ancient times. In Germany, the celebration of Ostara also included indulging in sweets--yet another similarity with the Easter Basket.

Ostara Month was traditionally the month we now know as April. Ostara celebrations in neapaganism however are celebrated at the Spring Equinox.

The color white is much used in Christianity in Easter celebrations. The name given by the Frankish church to Jesus' resurrection festival included the Latin word "alba" which means "white." (This was a reference to the white robes that were worn during the festival.) "Alba" also has a second meaning: "sunrise." When the name of the festival was translated into German, the "sunrise" meaning was selected in error. This became "ostern" in German. Ostern has been proposed as the origin of the word "Easter."

So while Christians celebrate the rebirth of Christ (or his being raised from the dead, etc) at Easter, pagans celebrate rebirth in general. We're not so different after all.

[karrie]

tried, there's no 'similarity' between the Pagan use of rabbits, eggs, and sweets, and the Christian use of them... they're the same thing. There is no basis in Christianity for those things, they are Pagan carry overs like the Christmas tree and lights.

If you ask any Jehova's witness why they refuse to celebrate many Christian celebrations, it has little to do with Jesus himself, and more to do with the Pagan symbols and traditions that have crept into it all.... the cross as you pointed out may not be accurate but may rather be a Pagan relic. It's all so intermingled as to be indiscernible in some ways. It's one of the more interesting manifestations of humanity in my opinion.

[Frogger]

Many Christian celebrations haveborrowed elements of pagan celebrations. This was not done because Christians believed in those pagan elements but as a way to slowly and as painlessly as possible to introduce pagans to Christianity. Rather than throwing away all pagan traditions they tried to include them and give them a Christian twist. Pagans worshiped trees so Christians have Christians have Christian trees. Pagans carved out turnips and placed candles in them to scare away evil spirits so Christians have Jack-O-Lanterns on All Hallows Eve.



Mixing Christian and non-Christian traditions reminds me of a story.

A pastor was talking to a group of young Sunday School children about the meaning of Easter.

One child said, "Easter is when the Easter Bunny delivers colored eggs."

"No", said the pastor, "that's not the real meaning."

Another child spoke and said, "It is when we eat chocolate bunnies and peeps."

Again, the pastor said, "No, that's not right."

Finally a little girl spoke up and said, "Easter celebrates when Jesus rose from the dead after three days."

"Great. said the pastor. He was really happy that the little girl knew the true meaning of Easter.

His face fell when the little girl continued, "And if he sees his shadow we will have six more weeks of winter."

[JoeSchmoe]

This was not done because Christians believed in those pagan elements but as a way to slowly and as painlessly as possible to introduce pagans to Christianity.

A rather rosy picture of history... perhaps some revisionist history!

Historically, pagans were persecuted by Christians. Pagan symbols were banned by the church.

[mikezila]

A rather rosy picture of history... perhaps some revisionist history!

Historically, pagans were persecuted by Christians. Pagan symbols were banned by the church.

and Christians were persecuted by pagans. can you name 2 religions that came in close contact and one didn't persecute the other as soon as it had the chance?

[karrie]

A rather rosy picture of history... perhaps some revisionist history!

Historically, pagans were persecuted by Christians. Pagan symbols were banned by the church.

The history of the Catholic church will generally admit that their timing for both Christmas and Easter were an attempt to overwrite existing Pagan holidays, and that after the initial attempts to scrub Pagan symbolism, they allowed symbolism such as trees and eggs and lights to continue.

[JoeSchmoe]

and Christians were persecuted by pagans.

Yup... but you missed my point.... I was simply refuting the rosy picture... the real picture is rather a more bloody one.

can you name 2 religions that came in close contact and one didn't persecute the other as soon as it had the chance?

I agree with your premise... all the major religions have blood-stained hands and have caused untold suffering, as you have alluded to with your question.

but:
I don't recall followers of First Nations religions persecuting other faiths....

Have Daoists ever persecuted anyone? I'm not sure...

[mikezila]

Yup... but you missed my point.... I was simply refuting the rosy picture... the real picture is rather a more bloody one.

yeah? so? welcome to the human condition.

I agree with your premise... all the major religions have blood-stained hands and have caused untold suffering, as you have alluded to with your question.

like humans need religion as an excuse, it's just nice to have one handy.

but:
I don't recall followers of First Nations religions persecuting other faiths....

they didn't bother with an excuse...just being from another tribe was enough to get you killed.

Have Daoists ever persecuted anyone? I'm not sure...

i'm sure there a few behind the China's brutal suppression of Falun Gong.