Mar 31
I have not bought a sacrificial (chocolate) bunny for my easter dinner, and that is poorly planned on my part. I like to put it on my kitchen altar to charge and absorb the energy of my space for a couple of weeks.
seen from Germany
seen from China
seen from Australia
seen from Canada
seen from Türkiye
seen from Maldives
seen from United States
seen from Canada
seen from Germany
seen from Singapore
seen from Germany
seen from United States
seen from Maldives
seen from Austria
seen from China
seen from Canada
seen from Canada
seen from Singapore
seen from China
seen from Ireland
I have not bought a sacrificial (chocolate) bunny for my easter dinner, and that is poorly planned on my part. I like to put it on my kitchen altar to charge and absorb the energy of my space for a couple of weeks.
Today I'll be talking about:
Mărțișor
Mărțișor is a Romanian and Moldovan celebration at the very beginning of the spring season, on 1 March (that means today!).
Mărțișor, marț, mărțiguș are all names for the red and white string with a hanging tasell Romanians give to each other in this day.
Giving this talisman is a way to wish your loved ones health, happiness and prosperity in the year to come. It's also a symbol of the coming spring. Traditionally, people wear them pinned to their clothes, on the chest, until the last day of March. After that, it is tied to a tree's branch (mostly in rural areas).
History
The origins of the Mărțișor are not exactly known, but there are similarities that can be traced between different celebrations.
Bulgarians have the Martenița, so the Daco-Thracian substrate may be responsible.
However, in ancient Rome, New Year's Eve was celebrated at the beginning of March, which is Mars' month, the god of war, fertility and vegetation. The white represents peace and red, war -> could be a possibility.
At Schela Cladovei, Romania, archeological discoveries revealed collars with stones painted in red and white, dating from 8000 years ago.
Rituals
There are many different rituals, each region of Romania having a unique one. Some examples include:
In Transilvania, the Mărțișor is hung on doors, windows, even animals' horns to ward off evil spirits.
In Bihor, if people wash their face with rainwater on 1 March, it is believed they would become more beautiful and healthy.
In Banat, girls wash themselves with snow as to be loved forever.
In Moldova, Maramureș, Bucovina, Bistrița-Năsăud and also Banat girls give handmade talismans to boys.
Also, in Moldova, Maramureș, Bucovina and Bistrița-Năsăud boys give girls an Mărțișor or a small gift on the 8th of March, when it is Womens' Day.
In Dobrogea, when the cranes arrive, the talismans are thrown into the air for luck and happiness.
^ A crane
Well, I haven't seen these traditions with boys and girls, everyone gives a gift/Mărțișor to everyone, it's just to show gratitude and kindness. It's nice to see that it's a pretty serious custom, especially children bring Mărțișoare and flowers (Snowdrops are also a symbol of the beginning of spring) to all their school colleagues. Unfortunately, due to Covid, not too many people gave Mărțișoare this year.
Image sources:
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"Oh hi! My name is Raymond Baldimore! It's nice to meet you!"
Mica to @ask-raymond-baldimore : " It's very nice to meet you, too, Raymond, Wrlcome to our schoolhouse"
The flower Wreaths are a spring tradition gift for parents, guests, etc.
(Finally, I got to answer this, and I'll be worlimg on the other one, I don't like leaving people hanging but now I'm finally getting to it, and I feel happy about finally getting to it, I'll work on the other one soon, I have characters to create 🌟w🌟 and coffee to make)
April and May 2019 Heathen and Asatru Holidays
April 1: Loki Day. Loki's Day is celebrated on April 1st by American Asatru groups and individuals influenced by the old Ostara festival held by the old Ring of Troth, which was a multi day campout that included April 1st when that date fell on a weekend. Loki Day was a day for pranks and jokes in honor of Loki, and toward the end of the RoT women who were awake in the early morning threw their hair-combings into the fire for Loki. When the Ring of Troth broke into two groups, the American Vinland Association kept the Loki celebrations intact, while over the years the Ring of Troth abandoned them due to the influence of new members who were Nokeans (see my post on Nokeans for a definition and discussion.) The Troth recently re-embraced Loki, so the old custom may or may not come back. Also on April 1st: Narrentag (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and the season of the possible date of Alp Aufzug begins (Switzerland.)
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My husband made the coolest dyed egg ever! 🌈
Slavic Folkloric Traditions of Spring • Threads of Tradition: Slavic Voi...
Hoppy Easter, y’all. We made two quiches (ham & broccoli and spinach & bacon), built a raised garden bed and filled it with soil, added some compost and soil to the bed from last year, mowed, weed-whacked, and mulched all around, laid out the plots for the corn and the sunflowers, ate some fried chicken, and are having naps/watching Rick Steves’ European Festivals before dyeing eggs and eating leftovers and Easter candy for dinner. Not bad for a cloudy spring day.