There is a distinct relationship between Spring Equinox and Easter.

The Spring Equinox is also called Alban Eilir, Eostar, Eostre or the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Picture: Finding Easter at Knowth "Newgrange, Ireland"

Alban Eiler means ‘Light of the Earth.’ On March 20, it was the first day of spring where day and night were equal. To the Celts, the equinoxes and the solstices were the holy times of transition, where nature and life cycles renew.

The Spring Equinox is the mid-point of the waxing year. The light born at the Winter Solstice has reached its maturity. From this day on the days will grow longer than the nights. This is the celebration of spring. The Earth will be green and the crops will be planted.

The Catholic Church was good about absorbing the pagan traditions and their symbols and labeling the day with a new name. The symbol of the egg for instance represents new life. The church related it to Jesus in the tomb. The egg looks dead but it still has the promise of life. The colored eggs represent the colors of Easter Sunrise.

The Spring Equinox was celebrated before the Celtic tribes arrived in Ireland. There are ancient Irish equinox temples in Knowth. This is near Newgrange or ‘Brú na Boinne.’ Knowth has a 100 foot long passage that accepts the Sun on the morning of the Spring and the Autumn Equinox. In Longhcrew, ‘Cairn’ is an older stone cairn equinox temple.

In Ireland, Good Friday is a solemn day. Most people fast until midday. No one works or plays and if any eggs are laid on Good Friday, they are marked with a cross. One Easter Sunday, they eat these eggs.

Easter is a very sacred time of fasting and prayer. At church on Easter Saturday, hundreds of candles are lit off the Paschal candle that has been blessed by the priest. On Easter Sunday, a quiet meal of leek soup and roasted lamb may be eaten at home.

The priests would also bless and distribute the holy water. Everyone would sprinkle their homes, the cattle for a special blessing and drink three sips of holy water for good health.