Editorial

When people think of Easter, they most likely equate it as a Christian celebration when in actuality Easter began as a pagan festival of springtime and the renewal of life.

It was during the early days that communities would gather to honor the various goddesses of their particular region — thanking them for the Spring crops from Mother Earth and the renewal of life after a hard winter season.

In the Christian tradition of Easter, it meant the celebration of the "Risen Christ" — a time when life, in its’ sacredness, was resurrected. It was also a period of miracles and the reaffirming of one’s faith.

Easter is associated with the sun and the Vernal Equinox; however, it was originally based upon the Luna calendar.

Easter was derived from the ancient Saxons word, "Eastre" — the celebration and return of Spring.

The word "pagan" was taken from the Latin word, "pagani" which means "country dweller" who had a "nature-based religion."

So, if you celebrate Easter as a Christian or a pagan, the important thing to remember is that we honor what our soul belief is. It matters not if our neighbor has a different philosophy about Easter — what counts most is our heart’s relationship to this sacred festival/celebration.

It is a renewal on some level ­ perhaps of vows or the recognition of new life in all forms. And then again, it can just be the simple joy that Springtime brings.

Time honored traditions, pagan or Christian, can exist side-by-side, each weaving their magic and expressions into the very fabric of humanity.

The Easter season is a gift of the heart. May what we love and cherish the most during this time merge with others to create new and stronger traditions.

Happy Easter, enjoy the renewal of life. Take care,

Michelene