Last week you were given a nutshell background to St Valentine, for whom the day of remembrance is February 14th. Two other celebrations were mentioned.
The word is not what it used to be... which was 'Lencten', an Old English word meaning 'spring'. It would have been used when the days stretched their light and the possibility of new life was burgeoning.
Along came the Christians and, as was their tendency, old habits and festivals were incoporated and given religious meaning. The practicality of clearing out and bringing in fresh stuff for the homes was given more significance, by applying to the person. Requirement of attendances at church, especially leading up to Easter, allowed for the introduction of Lent (for fasting - the inner cleanse). Lent always starts on a Wednesday, so people went to confessions on the day before. This became known as Shrove Tuesday.The name Shrove comes from the Old English word 'Shriven' meaning to say sorry. The fast was used to help focus the mind on the Higher purpose and the sacrifice made by Christ. To prepare for the fast, it was necessary also to ensure the kitchen was free of all foods with fattening properties - this was almost always an eggs and milk situation... hence pancakes.
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and is a day for reflection and worship. The ashes used on the foreheads of those so inclined, are from the burning of the palm leaves from the previous year's Palm Sunday.
What is very interesting, is that Mahaa Shivraatri is held at almost identical time as the start of Lent in the West, though, of course, it predates it by several millennia. It involves a full day of fasting, followed by a prolonged 'vrat' (controlled eating) for those who seek to improve their spiritual practice. It may continue until Ram Navaami - which is close to the date of Easter for the Christian devotees. The length is up to the saadhaka.
The ash of the sandalwood tree is used at all Hindu ceremonies, but it has a much larger presence in events for Shri Shiva, for He is the destroyer and the renewer.
Two entirely different cultures; one symbolism. We must make ash of our egos to rise in our full spiritual life.
Or, in 21st century, less religious terms, "get over yourselves doods, there are bigger things to attend!"
Along came the Christians and, as was their tendency, old habits and festivals were incoporated and given religious meaning. The practicality of clearing out and bringing in fresh stuff for the homes was given more significance, by applying to the person. Requirement of attendances at church, especially leading up to Easter, allowed for the introduction of Lent (for fasting - the inner cleanse). Lent always starts on a Wednesday, so people went to confessions on the day before. This became known as Shrove Tuesday.The name Shrove comes from the Old English word 'Shriven' meaning to say sorry. The fast was used to help focus the mind on the Higher purpose and the sacrifice made by Christ. To prepare for the fast, it was necessary also to ensure the kitchen was free of all foods with fattening properties - this was almost always an eggs and milk situation... hence pancakes.
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and is a day for reflection and worship. The ashes used on the foreheads of those so inclined, are from the burning of the palm leaves from the previous year's Palm Sunday.
The ash of the sandalwood tree is used at all Hindu ceremonies, but it has a much larger presence in events for Shri Shiva, for He is the destroyer and the renewer.
Two entirely different cultures; one symbolism. We must make ash of our egos to rise in our full spiritual life.
Or, in 21st century, less religious terms, "get over yourselves doods, there are bigger things to attend!"
YaYa thank you for the very thorough explanation. I really understand how we all come together to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteHugs HiC
Lent can be observe by any faith...a renew of your goals that you set at the beginning of the year...
ReplyDeleteLove it? History rocks my boaat!
ReplyDeleteBarb
So many parallels between religions. namaste, janice xx
ReplyDelete