WHEN it comes to Easter, the Greeks are in their element. It’s the most religious of times, and also when the traditional are maintained.
Take dyeing eggs - naturally. It may be less expensive to purchase commercial dyes for your eggs, but you will get better results with natural dyes. The colours you produce will be more vibrant and less "pastel" than what we traditionally associate with Easter, but go on and be a rebel! Natural colourings produce amazing results and you can be very creative in your effects by using etching techniques with your dye.
Common coloring techniques involve such things as coffee, onions, and spices that you should have on hand. In many cases, the items used for coloring are a by-product of another food item which can be consumed either before or after using the dye. For example, onion peels are removed before the onions are eaten, and then used to dye your Easter eggs.
Our local senior citizens group, KAPI held a demonstration of this technique, to which we were invited. Using natural colourings the result was a deep blood red. Then came another tradition - each person was handed a decorated candle, and an egg as they left.
. There's some controversy over the origins of Easter and whether it comes from Heathen pagan traditions or whether this is purely a Christian holiday. When it comes to Easter eggs, however, there can be very little doubt about their symbolism:
They are a sign of fertility and representative of the new beginnings that come with Spring. Eggs are often used in pagan rituals and spell work to draw fertility to those hoping to become pregnant or for anyone hoping for a plentiful harvest. In paganism, eggs may be an offering to a particular deity in the hopes of gaining favour and a fertile Spring.
The Goddess Ostara (Eostre) is celebrated in the Spring with the Vernal Equinox on or around March 21st every year. This is one of the reasons that we colour eggs and have egg hunts at Easter time.
Take dyeing eggs - naturally. It may be less expensive to purchase commercial dyes for your eggs, but you will get better results with natural dyes. The colours you produce will be more vibrant and less "pastel" than what we traditionally associate with Easter, but go on and be a rebel! Natural colourings produce amazing results and you can be very creative in your effects by using etching techniques with your dye.
Common coloring techniques involve such things as coffee, onions, and spices that you should have on hand. In many cases, the items used for coloring are a by-product of another food item which can be consumed either before or after using the dye. For example, onion peels are removed before the onions are eaten, and then used to dye your Easter eggs.
Our local senior citizens group, KAPI held a demonstration of this technique, to which we were invited. Using natural colourings the result was a deep blood red. Then came another tradition - each person was handed a decorated candle, and an egg as they left.
. There's some controversy over the origins of Easter and whether it comes from Heathen pagan traditions or whether this is purely a Christian holiday. When it comes to Easter eggs, however, there can be very little doubt about their symbolism:
They are a sign of fertility and representative of the new beginnings that come with Spring. Eggs are often used in pagan rituals and spell work to draw fertility to those hoping to become pregnant or for anyone hoping for a plentiful harvest. In paganism, eggs may be an offering to a particular deity in the hopes of gaining favour and a fertile Spring.
The Goddess Ostara (Eostre) is celebrated in the Spring with the Vernal Equinox on or around March 21st every year. This is one of the reasons that we colour eggs and have egg hunts at Easter time.
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