This may surprise many of you to know, but whether you follow a religion or not, Easter is one of the most important events on the Calendar – even more so than Christmas – because Easter is so rich in symbolism and the spectrum of colours that surround us at this time of year, are a reminder of that.
As a pattern theorist, I study nature because for me, it reveals both the visible and invisible patterns in all of life. Sitting in the garden, enjoying my tea in the warm sunshine, I noticed a beautiful flower of deepest purple. Looking around, I saw lots of other lovely blooms all appearing in my own garden, as it turned out, completely in my absence.
Purple symbolises the colour of royalty and status in Christianity. Some say it is the colour that Jesus was clothed in when they crucified him, as a mocking by the unlearned of his truest identity. It is also the colour of spirituality and symbolises the quality of spiritual energy and intuition.
Yellow is a primary colour, found in every rainbow, that typically represents happiness and sunshine. Yellow also denotes the colour ‘gold’, symbolising that which is rich and wealthy – not in coins but in spirit.
Containing all other colours in the spectrum, white represents all things pure, clean, fresh and innocent; of thought, of essence, of spirit and of the soul. White is often chosen as the colour of the wedding dress, in Christianity it symbolises light and purity.
Whether sitting in the garden, celebrating with family and chocolate, or chasing bunnies on an Easter Egg Hunt, Easter is a time of rejuvenation. The overriding symbolism and message in the Easter weekend is that of descent, purification and resurrection – not only of Jesus but of us.
For those of you who have read my first book, Pandora’s Panacea, you will be aware that my fascination with archetypal patterns sprung to life by the sudden appearance of a blackbird in my living room, who had inadvertently fallen down the chimney. Ten years later, this week, the same thing happened, only this time I came face-to-face with a gorgeous black rook, perched, as an uninvited breakfast guest, on my sofa. No matter the visit of a soul or a soldier, one should remember that birds always fly towards the light. I opened the door. The bird swooped down and flew out and up toward the light. My job was done. I put the kettle on.
Wishing you all a Happy Easter,
Carole Sawo