Easter Myrtle
According to some discussion on the meaning of Easter,
Adonis was allegorically the child of Myrrha – who later became the
Myrtle tree. Loved by both Aphrodite and Persephone,
arguments ensued, and were eventually resolved for Adonis to spend
4 months of the year with each of them, and the rest
how he chose. Adonis chose to spend these months with
Aphrodite, the goddess of love. In the wheel of seasons,
spring brings rebirth, after the darkness of winter. In this
way, it can be seen that metaphorically, everything is
experienced, even in the choices of Adonis. He chooses love
over grief, even though he has experienced its real pain. The endless
cycle of change results in a rounded maturity, borne out of
letting go of what is old, and reaffirming life and love, the
spirit of renewal, and living, regardless.
Yet all humanity’s
phases don’t always co-incide with the seasons. For this reason,
it’s interesting to note the above archetypes can serve for any
time, provided their meaning is known. There can be
sadness at rebirth time, like Easter, or happiness in the
dark of Winter, the usual time of deep inward-looking solitude.
Like the tides, the archetyes can shift and change, as
people learn about them and capture the wisdom they
teach, so rather than static, crusty old ideas, these
ideas seem able to shift with humanity’s needs, ever
being renewed.
So Easter is the time for renewal, coming
to the southern hemisphere as autumn and harvest,
and to the northern, as spring and rebirth. Easter symbols
are rabbits or hares for fertility, eggs for rebirth and the
collective humanity. It is traditionally timed in line with the full moon
and the equinox, throughout most parts of the world, and in
this way is a shifting, evolving celebration. In this way, change
is a constant, and old patterns and ways are discarded to keep
up with the new.
Wishing everyone a wonderful Easter season!
(copyright Imogen Crest 2008.)
A beautiful post upon which to meditate. It will be such a joy if the populous of the old city find their way back home to enjoy a simpler way of life.
Thoughtful and special. Fran
Thank you, Fran. I agree, Heather, it seems something very valuable has been lost along the way, ready to be reclaimed.
What a wonderful story. I’d completely forgotten this one, and it was perfect to enjoy it again (or for the first time). And your take on it was readable and thought-provoking.
Holidays, even the movable ones, have a way of gounding us in the web of nature. This is good reading and very informative.
This was delightful to read and contemplate. I love food for thought!
Thank you for sharing this delightful story and lovely pictures.
HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE.
Vi
This was just beautiful to read. Very thought provoking. Thank you!
…life is a series of cycles and circles of wisdom and seasons…thank you for this reminder…”We are all connected”
Beautiful photo, and I love the story. For some reason, I don’t remember this one, so it is nice to know it now.
So many thanks to everyone!