November 27, 2011

#45

When Christianity first started its growth, officials knew that in order to allow followers to continue to celebrate with the rest of the community, or probably more accurately, for it to have a better uptake, it was essential to choose dates similar to those already being celebrated by Pagans. The synchronicity of the dates can't be missed at all, Winter Solstice and the birth of Jesus, Spring Equinox and Easter.
I haven't realised so clearly until now that the modern Christian world has taken age old Wiccan and Pagan celebrations as it's own without paying respect at all to those traditions.

(Miche you may want to add more here because it's so much better from the horse's mouth!)


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I've just been reading a fascintating book called "The Secrets of the Christian Festivals" and this is what Arnold Bittlinger says about the 1st Advent:

Advent Sunday - Day of the Earth
The first Sunday in Advent is the Day of the Earth. On the first Advent we light one candle. This one candle is the symbol for Oneness or Unity of all of Creation. It speaks to and of a world where we all originate from and will return to. The Earth is our Mother.

One of the oldest symbols that respresents The Earth is the Bull. In the German language, the word Stier (Bull) reminds us of the words Starr (rigid) and Stur (obstinate). The Bull character represents the unyielding stubborn unwavering Earth. The Bull reveals the perservering and dependable character of the Earth.
Fascinating stuff!!!!!!!

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Advent is huge here. Everyone, and I mean all households (except ours), woke up Saturday morning and decorated their windows, front doors and trees in the garden with all things christmassy. The nativity sets are out. And the town councils put up fairy lights in the main streets and shops have all their decorations out for sale. Christmas markets are on every weekend with Glühwein and kitsch in abundance. It's slightly over the top. I mean, it's November! But because they take Advent seriously, that's why Christmas begins now. I am kind of glad to get to experience a couple of weeks of this and hopefully it will snow 1 or 2 days before getting on the plane home. Less than 3 weeks to go!