If anyone is interested, I've been posting daily on my facebook account about different Christmas Traditions and their origins. I would be willing to post them here if anyone would like. The are things like as follows: In ancient times holly was thought to be magical cause of its shiny leaves and its ability to bear fruit in winter Some believe it contained syrup that cure coughs others hung it over their bed to produce good dreams Holly was a popular Saturnalia gift among the Romans Romans later brought holly to England, where it was also considered sacred. In medieval times, holly, along with ivy, became the subject of many Christmas songs. Some of these songs gave the holly and ivy sexual identities (holly is male, ivy female), while other, more religious songs and poems portray the holly berry as a symbol of Christ.
What about the tradition of an evergreen decorated with the heads of slain foes, soaked in pine oil for preservation, and the entrails of defeated foes? (Christmas balls and garland?) When the "Church" subjugatd the Celts, they took their traditions and rolled them into their own mythology.
Well, that goes without saying. One of the main reasons Christmas is celebrated in winter is due to the assimilation of the winter solstice celebrations of the "heathens". Google return of the Holly King. Astronomically speaking, the birth of Jesus very likely took place in spring-summer time. Yule tide, the 12 days of christmas, even the christmas tree....is all of pagan origin folks. Sounds like an episode of Star Trek.... Resistance is futile! But that's the past, and things are the way they are.
Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that grows on oak and other non-evergreen trees. Although other greenery was also used in pagan festivals, mistletoe was actually worshipped. Both Druids and Romans considered the plant sacred, as a healing plant and a charm against evil. Mistletoe was thought to be the connection between earth and the heavens, because it grew without roots, as if by magic. Mistletoe was also considered a symbol of peace; warring soldiers who found themselves under mistletoe quickly put down their weapons and made a temporary truce. In a related custom, ancient Britons hung mistletoe in their doorways to keep evil away. Those who entered the house safely were given a welcome kiss. While the custom of kissing under the mistletoe lost popularity in most other countries, it remained popular in England and the United States.
That's easy, They're holdovers from the Spring fertility festivals. Oft times when the Church was converting the heathans many of the old practices were either retained and given a Christian spin or the old practices crept back in when the Church wasn't looking. Many elements from Beltain and other symbols of Spring and rebirth found their way into the Easter celebration. Same reason we have Christmas trees and the feasts for many Saints happen on days that were already holy to indigenous peoples.
Many of the older hymns are old drinking songs with new words for similar reasons, familiar tone made the transition into church services easier.
Indeed, as is the name. Oestra was (and still is, I'm told) a goddess of fertility whose specific rites were celebrated in the spring. Oestra .... Easter.
"While shepherds watched their flocks by night." In winter, the flocks would not be out in the hills. No grass/feed. S&F
