Easter comes early this year arriving on 23 March rather than an April date as we are used to. In Christianity Easter is a "moveable feast"- a holy day without a set date on the calendar. Moveable feasts move around the calendar in relation to the arrival of Easter, which itself moves around from year to year in relation to the timing of the ecclesiastical full moon.
The English word 'Easter' is derived from the goddess 'Eostre" who was venerated in festivals held around the time of the spring equinox. Despite this, Easter today is commonly associated with the resurrection of Christ.
Which ever holy day is celebrated it is clear that this season, the season of spring, is truly one of rebirth. Bare branches bring forth blossoms. Tiny green sprouts begin shaking the dirt from their sleepy heads. The songbirds whose voices went silent during the winter come back as harmonious heralds.
Dreams are not oblivious to seasonal changes. They are keenly connected to the goings on of the outer world and may use what is going on "out there" in the world as part of their coded messages about what's going on "in here" in the world of the psyche. Below are some symbols that may commonly appear during Easter and what they might mean.
Bunnies and Rabbits
The Easter Bunny is probably the most famous of all rabbits and bunnies, with the Lewis Carroll's White Rabbit coming in a close second. It is no wonder that the bunny has become associated with springtime and Easter. The bunny is notoriously fertile and fertility is always associated with the spring, when the earth herself becomes fertile again.
Dreams of bunnies or rabbits may indicate a particularly potent time of fertility, creativity or prosperity. Dreams of rabbits may also indicate a period of good luck. More information on the history of bunnies in mythology and their meaning in dreams (including how they became associated with Christ) can be found here: Rabbits and Bunnies, Dream Symbols
Eggs
Eggs are yet another symbol of fertility and the potential for creation. Dreaming of eggs may indicate new ideas or fertility of the mind, but whereas bunnies may indicate creation that is ripe, eggs indicate creation that is still in development -- something that hasn't yet 'hatched.' These ideas are still in a fragile form and care must be taken to insure their growth and development.
Lilies
Lilies are another of Easter's most loved symbols. Their beautiful white foliage represents the arrival of life after death. Lilies were used by royalty as an emblem or herald. In fact, the 'fleur-de-lis' of French royalty is the lily. Lilies in dreams may symbolize resurrection or the revival of life after some kind of trauma.
Until next time, sleep well and dream out loud!
*~Aisling Ireland~* is an ordained Spiritual Counselor providing dream interpretation and Tarot readings. To make an appointment check out her website at: web.mac.com/aisling.ireland
