Sunday 17th April, Easter Sunday (or Pagan Eostre?)
Sunday 17th April is Easter Sunday, which is generally taken to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus three days after his crucifixion.
Intriguingly, Easter Sunday is not a set date but is calculated according to the Lunar cycle, being the next Sunday after the first Full Moon following the Vernal (Spring) Equinox, so it can move around between 22nd March and 25th April. This points to the celebration being linked to an earlier Pagan celebration, which were all associated with seasons and moon cycles; further corroborative evidence being the name Easter, almost certainly derived from the Pagan Goddess Eostre. The Easter Egg is reminiscent of the Pagan egg to symbolise fertility and the Easter Bunny, a curious addition to our Easter celebrations, could well be a variation on the Pagan Hare, another ancient symbol of fertility and with a 28 day gestation period very linked to the lunar cycle. In Ancient Egypt the hare is a hieroglyph meaning ‘existence’. Interestingly, the hare has alleged associations with the alchemical symbol for tin (Jupiter/luck) and is strongly represented in ancient world mythology as having divine qualities. Its elusiveness and erratic behaviour, particularly at night, have reinforced its reputation as a magical creature, with mystical links to the female cycle and to the moon which governed it.
Intriguingly, a famous symbol of three interlocking hares chasing each other around a circle has been found in various parts of the UK, particularly Devon, and indeed all over the world. Known as the hare triscol, only three ears are shown yet, due to clever positioning, they each seem to have two. Looking on the internet for an image to use, I came across this fabulously vibrant version by children's book illustrator Jackie Morris (link to website) who graciously granted permission for me to use it for an article I wrote in 2011 when it was the Chinese New Year of the Golden Hare (or Rabbit). I love the intense blue and the way the moon is represented as both Full and New. Simply stunning! Thanks Jackie. Anyone finding the whole hare triscol concept fascinating, might like to check out the Three Hares Project website.
See my Facebook Live Video Below (9 mins), now uploaded to YouTube
By keeping traditions, Christian communities retained a sense of harmony and connection, thereby bringing balance and wellbeing into their lives.
Through Harmony Healing, Joanna offers a wide spectrum of events designed to nurture your welbeing. If you are looking for regular spiritually enlightening activities which help to connect you with the lunar cycle, we have our monthly Full Moon Guided Healing Meditations. Participants all receive a deeply healing experience. Cost to participate is £20 or half price to RSE graduates. There are multi-buy packages for regular attendees. Book at the Harmony Shop.
Harmony Healing utilises the philosophies of the Ancient Egyptians, in the form of Reyad Sekh Em (RSE) Level 1 Egyptian Alchemy Healing. Featuring four online modules of Khemitology (Ancient Egyptology according to the indigenous oral traditions), Violet Flame of Amenti, Mindful Chakra Balancing & Essene Angelology. Missed sessions are fully recorded so that late registrations or are possible. Reyad Sekh Em (RSE) Level 1 costs £266 and run about three times a year. the individual modules are stand-alone and cost either £88 or £66, hence the RSE 1 package offers a cost saving.
Other services
Within Surrey, via Harmony In Nature, we facilitate Forest Bathing+ Sessions to help adults reconnect with nature and reap the therapeutic benefits.
Aligning ourselves with the moon cycle is very therapeutic, hence being aware of the New Moon (good for starting new projects) and Full Moon (a good time for bringing projects to a conclusion) and is excellent for bringing harmony and wellbeing into our lives. For full immersion with moon energy join one of our New Moon New Vision, Lunar Cycle Alignment Programmes. Our current New Moon New Vision lunar cycle alignment programme started with the New Moon 1st April and runs until 30th April, will most likely next run 25th October - 23rd November.
Currently, MP3 meditations and distant readings and healings are proving popular and we offer Harmony Healing Vouchers for any value for use on Harmony Healing services and Harmony in Nature vouchers for Forest Bathing vouchers (£35).
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