APRIL specials from 3E Products: http://www.snapvine.com/bp/dX9EsCEpEd6XygAwSFxxvg Hi Everyone- This was a fun show where we discussed the history of Easter and Spring celebrations...(at least I thought it was...). First off, I found a GREAT new sustainable program run by the University of MN called "EcoPalm" Program. This is a fair-trade program that enables farmers in Mexico and Guatemala to harvest palm fronds, that are used on Palm Sunday & Easter mass, in an eco-friendly way and be paid a fair wage. This also keeps the rainforest in tact as farming techniques are done in a sustainable way. Learn more about the project by clicking the below link: http://www.pcusa.org/palms/why.htm Next I discussed the meaning of Easter as it's celebrated in ancient traditions. Christians celebrate Easter as the observance of the death and rebirth of Jesus. Non-Christians, celebrated the Spring Equinox-which is on March 21st, as the demarcation of the end of Winter and start of Spring (i.e. death to birth). The patron of the Spring Equinox is "Eostar" with the holiday known as "Ostara". Easter is a derivation of that. The common threads of both are the theme of "death and rebirth". The symbolism of the EGG in Easter celebrations. The egg is a common fertility symbol, which is really what the holiday is honoring (fertility=birth). The coloring and/or dyeing of eggs is much more prevalent as a tradition, world-wide, this time of year. Eggs are colored, dyed, etched...whatever you can think of to decorate your egg and display it (and eat egg salad for 2 weeks afterward!). ***Eggs and equinoxes are linked via the folk legend that since the hours of light and dark are equal, it's possible to balance an egg on end. (try it and see if it works-although it s/b closer to the Spring Equinox...). *** Some great decorating ideas for Easter, and Spring in general, are:
Next I discussed the meaning of Easter as it's celebrated in ancient traditions. Christians celebrate Easter as the observance of the death and rebirth of Jesus. Non-Christians, celebrated the Spring Equinox-which is on March 21st, as the demarcation of the end of Winter and start of Spring (i.e. death to birth). The patron of the Spring Equinox is "Eostar" with the holiday known as "Ostara". Easter is a derivation of that. The common threads of both are the theme of "death and rebirth".
The symbolism of the EGG in Easter celebrations. The egg is a common fertility symbol, which is really what the holiday is honoring (fertility=birth). The coloring and/or dyeing of eggs is much more prevalent as a tradition, world-wide, this time of year. Eggs are colored, dyed, etched...whatever you can think of to decorate your egg and display it (and eat egg salad for 2 weeks afterward!).
***Eggs and equinoxes are linked via the folk legend that since the hours of light and dark are equal, it's possible to balance an egg on end. (try it and see if it works-although it s/b closer to the Spring Equinox...). ***
Some great decorating ideas for Easter, and Spring in general, are:
Hungry? Meals that feature eggs (obviously), along with lighter texture breads (not a 7 grain, high fiber bread if you get my drift!), served with fresh baby greens and/or dandelion salad with some sprouts is perfect! Think of this for Easter breakfast/brunch. Want to start some more "spring rituals"? Get in the groove of planting a bulb/veggie garden. Start thinking about it now. Get those hands dirty and connect with Mother Nature. Repot a houseplant, visit a botanical garden (ours serves Easter Brunch!), plant an herb garden...spring clean (I know...I started yesterday). Air out the house, beat the dust out of the rugs, wash the windows, de-clutter...you'll feel so much better!
Next week we talk about planting a Victory Garden! Find out a little history of these gardens and how to get started planting one yourself! Until next week...
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