I found a couple of articles that state Ostara, the Goddess of Spring (in general) has the rabbit as her symbol. But when I look into it further, I can't find any actual historical reference for this other than it was attached to Easter later because of the general idea of rabbits and breeding (bringing new life). Which is consistent with the idea of Spring and many of the Pagan Holidays attributed to it, but is there any actual reference to this being the symbol of Ostara herself? (There's really not much in the way of Historical reference for Ostara... nothing in depth, that I have found, anyway.)
2007-09-13 11:53:54 · 6 answers · asked by River 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
pissdownsatansback - I know how they used Easter, as well as Christmas, to get Pagans to convert. I am Pagan and have read much of the history concerning how Christianity emerged among a mostly Pagan Society (societies). And you are absolutely right that the word Easter replaced Pascha/Passover. ^_^
Daughter - I knew about the Celtic roots of the eggs and even the rabbits. I have worked with many Celtic recon's in the past with historical references, but I couldn't find any that actually linked directly to Ostara. ^_^ I have noticed while just starting into the deeper myths of Asatru that many are linked with the Celts since their cultures combined on many levels though they still retained many of their own Gods and Goddess' as well as myths. Such as Cernunnos, though he wasn't an actual God, but more of a symbol of Nature itself. Some things just didn't transfer to other cultures. I wondered if maybe this was something that was lost to time or I was missing something.
2007-09-13 15:02:10 · update #1
Boar's Heart - that's what I'm finding. That many of our modern stories are just that... modern. In some cases I had been lead to believe there was an established system based on her, but when I go looking for it deeper I lose the trail. When it comes to this sort of thing, I'm a stickler for detail and want the base of the stories to work from, rather than just relying on anything that is handed to me.
2007-09-13 15:05:35 · update #2
Ostara is a Saxon goddess, and considered cognate, at least, with the Anglic goddess Eostre, from whom the name Easter is derived.
Thing is, virtually nothing is known about either of them.
Ostara means "east," and from this has come, in MODERN times, to be *assumed* to be associated with the dawn, and hence, the return of the sun in spring. Everything else you've ever read is pure-dee modern supposition from the fluffier corners of Llewellyn-style Wicca.
That said, rabbits and eggs DO go way, way back in European cultures and spring festivals . . . but my bet is on Roman culture for the former and Slavic ones for the latter. Just a personal hunch. :-)
2007-09-13 12:39:58 · answer #1 · answered by Boar's Heart 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
dunno but neither is christian.
ishtar/easter the pagan goddess of fertility, bunnies, eggs, orgies in the forest etc...all fertility symbols.
the word "easter" was put into the KJV when the greek word is PASCHA or Passover. it was a way for the early church to get the seats filled with pagans who would recognize easter and think they were continuing that rite. which they aren't.
to the yutz above me, christmas trees are not pagan and were not brought from any pagans. God says "I AM LIke the green fir tree" Hosea 11:8. meaning the evergreen or alpha and omega, begining and ending etc...
just because pagans have similar days of celebration etc...does not mean things were borrowed or stolen from pagans.
"christians" who celebrate that abomination in place of Messiah's shed blood are ignorant at best.
2007-09-13 19:03:48 · answer #2 · answered by pissdownsatansback 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It is her symbol and it's attached to easter because when the christians tried converting the pagans they brought over a lot of their traditions like easter eggs or christmas trees...
2007-09-13 19:00:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It has some pretty heavy Celtic roots. I have a few Celtic Recon contacts that can probably tell you. :) You have been starred!
Oh the eggs thing was Istar. They dipped them in blood for life and fertility. I do remember that one...
2007-09-13 19:26:34 · answer #4 · answered by ~Heathen Princess~ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How much actual historical documentation do you think there can be about a goddess whos worship was abolished centuries ago by the folks who have been keepin the records for most of those centuries? :p
2007-09-13 19:04:34 · answer #5 · answered by Beowulf 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
This is a question for Hugh Heffner
2007-09-13 18:59:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋