Why does Easter move when Christmas doesn't?

Each year the question arises as to why Easter moves when Christmas is always on the same date - 25^th December. They are considered the two most important and influential events in Christianity which are celebrated by eating. Yes, Christians celebrate by eating, plus attending very moving services in their place of worship. There is also often a superfluity of emotion.

Christmas never changes and is set with Advent paving the way to a celebration of the Messiah’s birth.

Candlemas is another Christian celebration which takes place on the same day, 2^nd February; this is the last festival in the Christian year which is dated by reference to Christmas and those which follow are with reference to Easter.

One explanation of why it is called Easter is that the name originally came from Ancient Egypt. Astarte is the Phoenician name for Egypt's goddess of fertility. This evolved into Ostara who was an Anglo-Saxon goddess. During the second century, early Christians attempting to convert pagan worshippers called their Christian celebration "Ostara" which later became "Easter."

So, eggs, bunnies, fertility ………

Easter, however, is a moveable feast – and when you know how, it’s easy to find out when Easter Day will be each year.

Going back to Candlemas, (mid-winter) this is day between the winter solstice in December and the spring (vernal) equinox in March, which is why it is always the same.

Equinox means equal; when the hours between sunrise and sunset are equal. The spring equinox is one of 20th-21st-22nd March.

The next marker is the full moon after the equinox.  

If you know when the full moon after the vernal equinox is, the Sunday after that will be Easter Sunday.

So that is why Easter moves.

The earliest Easter can be is 22nd March and the latest, 25th April.

Happy Easter

And if you want some traditional, Easter recipes, just click here

 © Karen Ette 2013

English Tea Room - The Apple Tree, Ockbrook, Derbyshire (Gluten Free available)

The Apple Tree

Gift Shop and Teahouse

One of life’s indulgent pleasures is afternoon tea, especially if you can find a traditional tea shop. Recently, when meandering down Flood Street in the delightful Derbyshire village of Ockbrook, we found The Apple Tree.  This wasn’t just a chance meeting of  indulgence sought by pleasure-seekers, we were escorted there as a treat, and found the charm within delicious. 

The frontage is inviting, beckoning passers-by to cross the threshold to enjoy the promised cuisine displayed on the bill-board, or to shop for ‘something different’.

The thing which really appealed was that most items were made locally – beautiful leather handbags, hand-made cards, luxurious hand cream, jewellery, and unusual gift items such as humorous signs and bunting. Anything purchased was carefully wrapped and presented.

When we visited in March, 2013, the afternoon teas were very generous and  reasonably priced. As you can see, the sandwiches were cut into ‘tongues’ and their crusts removed. Our selection of sandwiches were: cheese and pickle, egg and cress, smoked salmon with cream cheese and ham. However, the menu has since changed and this may not be the afternoon tea that is now offered.

   

 The middle tier in March 2013 held fruit scones with jam and clotted cream accompanied by fresh strawberries.

The top layer of the cake stand then was its crowning glory – the four different flavours of cup-cakes on display were tantalising. 

The Apple Tree also offers a range of gluten free items and is open from  9.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m. most days, but it's always best to check before visiting and you may need to make a reservation.

Should you need directions, its situation is: 6 Flood Street, Ockbrook, Derbyshire. DE72 3RF
Telephone:  01332 987 001

There is a charge for using debit and credit cards and this applies separately to the tea room and gift shop.

 © Karen Ette 2013