Spring is such a wonderful time of year. Though we don’t need a special holiday to celebrate this season there are several occasions that are worth observing.

Easter is a traditional celebration in the U.S. Since this is based on the phase of the moon, this holiday doesn’t fall on the same Sunday year after year. It is observed on the first Sunday after the full moon on or next after the vernal equinox.

The origins of many customs of Easter celebrations arose from pagan observances for this was originally a pagan spring festival. Later, the Christian church fathers adopted some of these and made them a part of the new religion. What all that the events—both Christian and pagan—commemorate is a time of rebirth, a time of new beginnings, and a renewed hope for the future.

Traditionally spring was a time of rebirth for the winter had passed and the earth once again became verdant with new life springing forth. According to legend, Persephone (daughter of Zeus and Demeter) would have returned from her annual winter exile to the underworld to enjoy a new season on earth again.

During this time the goddess Flora could be seen traveling the earth with her basket of flowers. To the ancients, the hare was long viewed as a symbol of fertility. This eventually gave rise to our modern Easter bunny.

One need not be a Christian or even a neo-pagan to honor the original spirit of renewal and optimism that this spring holiday brings. Of course, in recent years as is the case with other holidays, this has been corrupted and secularized into an event that largely involves consumption of certain products from the marketplace.

Aside from all that, there are many ways to use the traditional symbols of Easter in spring floral designs in tasteful ways. Easter eggs are an integral part of the holiday, and are a great non-floral material that can be used in all sorts of seasonal floral arrangements.

Create spring or Easter wreaths using pastel everlastings and dyed pastel eggs for a seasonal arrangement. Add spring-colored ribbons and bows. The eggs can be either real or wooden.