People symbolically acknowledge and celebrate Easter worldwide in a variety of ways.

White lilies and chocolate eggs, the Easter bunny, “Hot Cross” Buns for Good Friday breakfast, Lamb for
Easter dinner, and giving up habits for Lent are just a few.

In Jamaica, we put our twist on the European hot cross bun tradition with our own bun and cheese (NB
to be had for breakfast on Good Friday (not all year round- AND this assumes you were fasting),

The crucifixion and subsequent resurrection of Jesus Christ is the driving story of the Christian faith.

Prior to the resurrection, man lived with the understanding that mankind was “doomed” to die (i.e.
eternal separation from God in hell) because of our sins, Christ relieved us of the burden of sin through
his sacrifice on the cross and with the resurrection Christ was shown to be the avenue by which we
(human kind) could attain eternal life.

As a Christian country, Jamaicans understand Easter’s deep significance as the time where we honour
Christ’s sacrifice.

Easter however was not originally a Christian festival.

Societies of the ancient world recognized the impact certain astronomical occurrences had on their
lives and planned festivals around these events to show gratitude and honor nature’s influence.

Christmas and Easter were two such festivals.

In temperate climates, Christmas aligns itself to the winter solstice; the shortest day of the year, while
Easter aligns itself with the vernal equinox, which signals the beginning of spring.

The imagery associated with these changes in the seasons have proved very influential to many world
religions.

The Birth of the “Sun” (SON) happens after the winter solstice (Dec 21) due to the fact that days start to
become longer after the shortest day (The winter solstice) hence The birth of Christ at Christmas.

The Resurrection of the Sun (SON) during the spring happens after nature lies “dead” during winter

These astrotheological perspectives doesn’t discount scripture but can point to deeper meanings.

For me, resurrection and nature’s renewal points to two main things 1) our aspirations to become more
and more in touch with our “better” self, our “higher” self, leaving our lower self behind.

Killing our animalistic “self” if you will

and 2) striving to be more resilient i.e. to rise up renewed and stronger after the many trials that we
face.
Spring symbolizes leaving the dark cold times behind for a more illuminated season that promotes life,
hope, enthusiasm, growth and beauty.

Easter is a time to remember that we are all on this journey to conquer the tendencies in us that don’t
serve us as we strive to liberate our self and our world from constant pain, dysfunction, sickness and
suffering.

This will takes much introspection, inner work and self sacrifice.

Happy Easter