Hi! I lurk on this list, and learn a great deal.
In relation to Easter (and I hope you all had an happy one) and other
festivals I'd like to recommend the following book:
"Stations of the Sun : a history of the ritual year in Britain" by Ronald
Hutton. Oxford University Press, 1996.
Hutton looks at the historical documentary evidence for a wide variety of
British festivals and rituals and comes to some unromantic conclusions. For
Easter he points out the lack of supporting evidence for a *goddess*. For
most festivals and rituals he points out the basis in late medieval
religion and society and the transformations they have undergone in the
intervening centuries.
Well worth reading, IMGLO. It certainly changed my view of British ritual
history.
******************************
Gillian
<
sphinxx@...>
Christchurch, New Zealand
******************************
Dogs have owners. Cats have staff.
******************************
Dog: She feeds me every day and cares for my every need. She must be a god.
Cat: She feeds me every day and cares for my every need. I must be a god.