Apr 17, 2022

Happy Easter and Wonderfully Odd Traditions Day!

Ah, another day where we say, “Sure, there’s an oversized rabbit laying eggs, putting them in baskets along with an assortment of other stuff and giving them to kids.”

I couldn’t fever dream that up myself so well done, Easter.

And because it’s a holiday, I’ll keep it short and sweet today.

Hopefully you’re reading this early in the morning before the festivities and the opening line piqued your curiosity. You find yourself asking, “Yeah, why the fuck does the Easter Bunny lay eggs? What kinda Pagan shit is that?”

I’m glad you asked so let me Google that for you:

So now I’m regretting not making my professional seminar in grad school about the influence the Easter Bunny has had on the discriminatory treatment of intersex people because in ancient times the bunny was widely believed to be a hermaphrodite (their shitty old school word, not mine). The idea that a rabbit could reproduce without loss of virginity led to an association with the Virgin Mary.

So the Easter Bunny just lays colorful eggs willy nilly while wearing a purity ring. I mean this is fascinating.

Let’s get to these virginal, decorated eggs.

Eggs became a fertility symbol in Christianity associated with rebirth as early as the 1st century AD. How they figured out eggs were associated with reproduction but decided rabbits were self-producing? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Eggs became associated with Easter, specifically in medieval Europe, when eating them was prohibited during the fast of Lent to remain pure (sure). A tradition in England at that time was for children to go door-to-door begging for eggs on the Saturday before Lent began. People handed out eggs as special treats for children prior to their fast.

Kids getting their fix and frantically chomping on soon-to-be censored eggs? Seems a bit depressing so let’s decorate them! Folks would boil eggs with some flowers to change their color and over time added the custom of decorating.

And in today’s modern society, the eggs are now made of chocolate and we celebrate the Easter Bunny with an impressive catalog of B horror movies.

Well done, humans.

Ok, onto your Horoscopes.

--->> RELUCTANT ASTROLOGY

Easter may seem like one of the vanilla holidays but it can still be tough for some people. Or this holiday weekend in general so I’m putting my snark on pause and going to share with you affirmations I pulled from I Am Everything: Affirmation Card Deck for each sign.

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

I AM A GIFT

I am a gift to the world. When I lead with kindness and love, I create a ripple effect that benefits more people than I’ll ever know. My presence, my knowledge, and my passions contribute to the greater good of the world. I am a gift.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

I AM WORRY FREE

I release worry over things I cannot control. Instead, I choose to focus on the things that are pleasing to me. When I release worry I allow room for solutions to enter my life. I am worry-free.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

I AM STRONG

I am stronger than I think I am. I reject victimhood. My strength is in knowing that all circumstances are temporary. I focus my attention on what’s in front of me. I naturally move forward into new phases of life. I am strong.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

I AM STILL

I understand that there are times to move and there are times to be still. In my stillness, I seek greater understanding. I take time to rest and contemplate. I strive for unconditional happiness here in the present. I am still.

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

I AM AMBITIOUS

I put my goal and ideas into action. I take a leap of faith, and I believe in myself. When I put my heart’s desires into action, it is for the good of all those involved. I am ambitious.

Virgo (August 23 – September 22)

I AM ALIVE

I honor my life by letting go, dancing, singing and feeling the fullness of my joyful energy. I am my true self when I am having fun. I am alive.

Libra (September 23 – October 22)

I AM ATTRACTION

Like a magnet, what I put out into the world I get back. If I lead with negativity, I receive negativity. If I lead with positivity, I receive positivity. Therefore, I choose to lead with positivity. I am attraction.

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)

I AM FREE

I release myself from the thoughts and feelings that have held me back. Any guilt, shame, embarrassment, self-doubt, and fear that I harbor I release. Today I am free.

Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)

I AM AWARE

When I pay attention to my surroundings, I can feel appreciation for everything. I see so much beauty in the world. Being aware means living in the present and fully experiencing my life in the here and now. I am aware.

Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)

I AM WORTHY

I am enough and I am worthy of receiving everything I desire. I do not need to prove myself to those who would seek to diminish me. I am worthy.

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)

I AM DISCERNING

I love myself enough to say “no” to people and situations that don’t serve my highest good. I am discerning.

Pisces (February 19 – March 20)

I AM TRANSFORMED

I see the beauty of change. Everything I have been through transformed me into who I am today. I am so much braver. I am so much more caring. I am so much more emotionally intelligent. I am so much more open. I will continue changing and improving. I am transformed.

Reader responses to last week’s newsletter: Good Grief

In last week’s newsletter, Good Grief, I proposed a question:
How do you process grief?

I received some really beautiful responses I’d like to share with you.

Give love endlessly like there is no tomorrow.
Do everything with love.
Forgive and give mercy and grace. -MJ

It’s always so powerful to see something deeply complicated broken down into its essence. Just pure and simple: Love. It can be immensely hard to practice but that’s the trick, right? Practice. I appreciate your words, MJ. Thank you.

The thing that gets me the most is the pain they felt. Mostly my mother. Your mother. To imagine them going through that, feeling that, being in that kind of suffering, at all the angles, still gets me. I know, pain is a part of this whole life game, but it still gets to me. I don't think it's because I'm scared of it, but maybe it is... I think maybe it's just confusing to me.

But I think grief is supposed to be confusing. I think that's the whole point. Can we hold the grief and suffering with love, and compassion, and still not understand it? I'm going to try.
-Ashlan

When I read Ashlan’s response, it really hit me how being a bit vulnerable and being real about your feelings can create connections that foster strength. People need people, as much as I personally feel wary and afraid of that, you never know when just being honest with a healthy dose of humility can create magic. What Ashlan shared with me about her journey resonated with me in a way that hasn’t happened in a long time when it comes to being hit hard with loss in such a similar AND familiar way. Thank you Ashlan, you fucking amazing Taurus you. ;)