Comment 5 of x
The Truth About Easter
(and why it is so glorious to celebrate it!) 

The name Easter originated from the two names, one Babylonian, Ishtar, and the other Phoenician, Astarte (or Ashtaroth) both names of the pagan Goddess of Fertility and therefore Spring.  Both Astarte and Ishtar were pronounced "Easter." The Goddess Ishtar/Astarte held several titles and like the Hindi Goddess Kali, in time came to symbolize both a creator and destroyer. In the Saxon/Sachsen cultures of ancient Europe the Goddess Astarte was written as Eostre/Eastre. 

Comment 4 of x
The celebration of and to Eostre/Easter involved making sacred (sacrificing) the festival meal/meat and showing reverence to the rising Sun. It was a time for the tribes to gather and enjoy stories and celebrate the arrival of Spring, the season of Astarte. It was strongly associated with all the rites of spring, including the coming / birth of the new animals.  Like the symbol of rebirth, Spring represented the coming of new grasses, grains, and the rebirth of mother Earth.  In ancient times the hare/rabbit was in itself a strong fertility symbol. Imagine how much more powerful a symbol when you have the hare carrying/delivering eggs!  Wrap this together with the treasure egg hunt, its origins date back to the tales of Astarte creating the golden egg in the garden. 

Comment 3 of x
By the 4th century of the current era, the Holy Roman Church, had placed its mark on many pagan holidays and festivals, Easter was no exception. The Romans took it and proclaimed that it was the celebration of the 'rising of the SON', that is the rebirth of Christ.  Symbolically, Easter made an easy acquisition to the list of official 'Christian' holy days.

Comment 2 of x
Today, as all those around our mother planet, the Earth, celebrate the festival of our ancestors many thousands of years old, let us raise our goblets and toast our hither come lately sisters and brothers of Christendom who have come to our table in only the past 1,600 years to give praise to the Sun, Earth, and the season of Astarte.  We welcome all, to gather tribe, family, and friends in breaking bread, eating the sacrificial animal, such as honey ham, hunt for the treasure egg of Astarte, and recognize in hope, joy, and beauty the abundance of Eostre – the rebirth of Mother Earth – and the blessings of the Creator. 

Comment 1 of x
It is sometimes lost or overlooked, the understanding that when we celebrate and honor the Creator/Creation we are also celebrating and honoring ourselves and all who came before us.Celebrating Eastre,
Carl of Dana

My Dearest Rock Angel

I share this with you in the spirit of love and joy, for as we dance in the circle of life what we share becomes our greatest gift - this is too all, as we recognize the truth behind the lies and begin to heal ancient wounds.  It is time to join hands in calling the directions and centering humanity in the heart energy of Mother Earth. It is time for us to take back our sacred days and holy nights - and invite all to join us.
Bless Be,
Carl
(Chezbro of 'Smegma')