Clare Florist Blog

Happy Easter!

You may notice that it's earlier than usual this year, that's because Easter follows the Jewish lunar calendar and not our solar Gregorian calendar. In our calendar, it falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after March 21st (the Spring, or Vernal, Equinox). That means it can fall anytime from March 22nd to April 25th.

Although it has come to be known chiefly as a Christian festival, commemorating the resurrection of Christ, the name Easter in fact stems back to Anglo-Saxon pagan mythology, and Eostre (also known as Ostara), the goddess of fertility and motherhood, friend to children, symbol of the spring (the ancient word for which was eastre) and resurrection. The Vernal Equinox (on March 20th or 21st) is the time of year when the growing days and the shrinking nights find exact balance before the days overtake, and it marks the official beginning of spring.

This is the time at which Eostre was celebrated and these roots can still be seen in Easter celebrations today. The Easter Bunny was originally a hare, Eostre's favoured animal and her attendant spirit, a traditional symbol of fertility, also associated with the moon and the dawn. The connection between hares and the spring probably comes down to the fact that, though rare now, in the spring the usually shy and elusive hares can be seen 'dancing' and 'boxing' as they chase and fight one another in their mating rituals. It was thought that it was the males that fought in this way, competing for mates, but it's been found that it's usually the female hares fighting off unwanted suitors (or perhaps  testing them?)!

Eggs are fairly self-evident as a symbol of birth and new life but there is also a legend in which Eostre, for the sake of amusing the children she so loved, turned her pet bird into a hare. It then laid brightly coloured eggs which the goddess bestowed on the children as gifts. Thus arose the peculiar tradition, still followed today, of painting Easter eggs and of adults, under the guise of the Easter Bunny, hiding eggs for children to find on Easter day.

As for all the chocolate, well, that may be partially because lent is finally over, but really any excuse will do! 

Jewish Year 5768: sunset March 20, 2008 - nightfall March 21, 2008.

The important Jewish festival of Purim takes place on on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar, according to the Jewish calendar; it usually falls in March and this year coincides with Good Friday. Sometimes called the Jewish Mardi Gras because of its joyous, carnival-like festivities, Purim commemorates a time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from extermination by the bravery of a young woman, Esther. Plays and parodies are performed in remembrance of this salvation and there are readings from the Book of Esther, which is known as the Megillah (scroll).

Purim begins at sundown and readings are given that evening and the following morning. They are not a dry affair but involve dressing up and pantomime-like audience participation. Families crowd into the synagogue for the readings, wearing their best Sabbath clothes or dressing up in colourful Purim-themed costumes and masks. Children, in particular, enjoy dressing up as characters from the story of Esther, such as King Xerxes, Vashti, Queen Esther, Mordecai and Haman. Haman is the villain of the story, a despicable character, and whenever his name is mentioned in the readings the listeners boo, hiss, stamp their feet, clash symbols and rattle graggers — purpose-made noisemakers, traditionally constructed from wood. This is to blot out the villain's name and originally involved the audience shouting "Cursed be Haman" or "May the name of the wicked rot!". 

Esther was a beautiful and wise young Jewish woman, raised by her good cousin Mordecai. She became part of the King Ahasuerus's harem and then, because he loved her best, his queen. He did not know, however, that she was a Jew. Haman was one of the king's advisors, an egotistical man who became enraged with Mordecai because he would not bow down to him when he passed. Knowing that Mordecai was a Jew, Haman plotted to destroy the Jewish people and persuaded the king to hand their fate over to him. “Their laws are different from those of every other people's,” he said, “and they do not observe the king's laws; therefore it is not befitting the king to tolerate them."

Learning of his vile plot, Esther braved speaking to the king unheeded. The law stated that anyone who entered the king's presence without being summoned could be put to death and Esther fasted for three days to prepare herself to meet whatever fate she was granted. Her husband welcomed her into his audience and she told him of Haman's plot to kill the Jews and revealed that she would herself be counted among those to be exterminated. The king could not take back what had been decreed but he ordered Haman to be hanged and let it be known to the Jews that they were to be attacked and that they should defend themselves, and so they were saved. See here for the full biblical account of the story, which can be found in the Old Testament of a Christian Bible, between the books of Nehemiah and Job, or between Ecclesiastes and Daniel in The Writings in a Jewish Bible.

In addition to the readings, Purim celebrations involve exchanges of gifts between friends, the giving of charity to the poor and, of course, feasting. A traditional treat at this time is hamentaschen cookies (Haman's pockets), which are said to resemble Haman's triangular hat and are filled with fruit. Click here to see how to make your own.

“In the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on its thirteenth day... on the day that the enemies of the Jews were expected to prevail over them, it was turned about: the Jews prevailed over their adversaries... And they gained relief on the fourteenth, making it a day of feasting and gladness...[Mordecai instructed them] to observe them as days of feasting and gladness, and sending delicacies to one another, and gifts to the poor.”  Esther 9:1-22

Mawlid al-Nabi ('the birth of the prophet') celebrates the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam. It takes place on the 12th day of the third month in the Islamic calendar, Rabi al-Awwal, which falls, this year, on March 20th in the Gregorian calendar.

The story and teachings of Muhammad are set out in the Islamic holy text, the Qur'an. Muhammad lived from about 570 CE to 632 CE and in that time established the Islamic religion and thereby replaced tribal loyalty and rivalry with equality among all Muslims. He experienced visions of the angel Gabriel who first called him into service as a prophet and then told him to “magnify thy lord”, upon which Muhammad began to preach publicly in the now holy city of Mecca, where he had lived for many years. Though many people were receptive to his message, others sought to ridicule and threaten him and Muhammad was compelled to flee in 622 CE.

Mawlid al-Nabi was first celebrated in around the 13th century and included sermons, recitation of prayers, gift giving and feasting. Today the festival is observed in many countries, though some conservative Muslim sects consider it idolatrous and so do not celebrate it. In some places there are large carnival-like street processions and mosques and homes are decorated. As well as feasting and gift-giving, charity and food is given to the poor, as on other Muslim holidays. Stories from the life of Muhammed are narrated and poetry is recited, particularly by children. The famous poem of praise, Qaṣīda al-Burda Sharif, by the 13th century Sufi poet Busiri, is often recited by scholars and poets. Here are a few verses:

39. wa kulluhum min rasulillahi multamisun / gharfan min al-bahri wa rashfan min al-diyami

All of them come and take from Allah's Messenger a handful of his ocean or a sip of his continuous rains.

40. wa waqifuna ladayhi `inda haddihim / min nuqtati al-`ilmi aw min shaklat al-hikami

They stand before him – each at his limit – possessing but one dot of his science and a glimpse of his wisdom.

41. fa huwa al-ladhi tamma ma`nahu wa suratuhu / thumma istafahu habiban bari'u al-nasami

He is the one whose innermost and outward form were made perfect, after which the Creator of souls took him for His Beloved Friend.

----

48. a`ya al-wara fahmu ma`nahu fa laysa yura / li al-qurbi wa al-bu`di minhu ghayra munfahimi

Creation is, in truth, powerless to understand his secret. You will not see any near him or far, except it makes them bewildered,

49. ka al-shamsi tazharu li al-`aynayni min bu`din / saghiratan wa tukillu al-tarfa min amami

As the sun appears small to the eyes from a distance, and yet exhausts their sight upon a second look.

50. wa kayfa yudriku fi al-dunya haqiqatahu / qawmun niyamun tasallaw `anhu bi al-hulumi

And how could one perceive his reality in this world, who belongs to a sleeping race distracted from him with dreams?

Happy Mawlid al-Nabi!

Whether looked at through the Christian or Pagan traditions, Easter is a celebration of rebirth. It  commemorates the most important event in the Christian story: the resurrection of Christ following his crucifixion, which is marked by Good Friday, bringing a message of hope and renewed religious life. It also marks the beginning of Spring, when the flowers begin to bloom in earnest, the birds sing their amorous songs and lay their eggs and new life is seen in the the lambs and chicks and baby rabbits so often represented at Easter time.

Thus, floral bouquets make an ideal Easter gift. Churches are often decorated with Easter flowes of yellow and white to accompany the joyful hymns of Easter services. The lily is the traditional Easter flower in the USA. As well as being a symbol of purity, the lily's single stem blossoming from a seemingly lifeless bulb is said to represent Christ's coming back to life three days after his resurrection. Legend also has it that lilies sprung up where drops of Christ's sweat fell to the ground as he languished, nailed to the cross.

The traditional Easter flower of the UK and Russia is less glamorous, being the soft budded pussy willow, while in Germany red flowers are said to represent the blood of Christ and in France and Italy the bright yellow seasonal blooms of narcissuses are favoured — and spring tulips are always popular.

For some more inspiration, have a look at our great selection of Easter bouquets.

Noticed a proliferation of bright, emerald green clothing in the shops lately? Tall hats sporting a three-leafed clover? That's because March 17th is the day of St Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, the Emerald Isle.

St Patrick was born around 380CE in Wales, then part of the Roman Empire, and was originally named Maewyn Succat, but became Patrick (Pádraig) later in his life, possibly at his baptism. When he was sixteen he was captured by Irish raiders and sold into slavery in Ireland. Over the next six years he worked as a shepherd and was visited by religious visions. In one of these he was told of a ship and he consequently escaped Ireland and returned to his family. He went on to study in the church and became a bishop. Then he decided to return Ireland as a missionary. He used the shamrock (three leafed clover) to symbolise and explain the holy trinity of the father, son and holy spirit —three aspects of a single God— and it became an emblem of Ireland.

There are many legends telling of the miraculous deeds carried out by St Patrick but the best known is the tale of his driving all the snakes of Ireland into the sea, where they drowned. It's not now widely believed that there were any snakes in post-glacial Ireland but the snakes in the tale may be a metaphor for Paganism as the snake was used as a powerful symbol in Druid cultures.

As well as being a day of religious observance, St Patrick's Day is celebrated in Irish communities around the world with the wearing of green garments, parades, and the consumption of traditional Irish fare like soda bread and guinness. Here's a link to some St Patrick's Day craft and recipe ideas.  And if you're looking for some flowers to commemorate the occasion why not look at our beautiful lime green bouquet, featuring shamrock chrysanthemums.

The Mother's Day rush is now over thankfully! We had a great response to all our new designs which have been received really well by all you lucky Mum's.
Myself and the team worked really hard all week to ensure everything was made in time to be delivered to every corner of the UK.
I have two children who treated me to a cup of tea and a slice of burnt toast with chocolate spread at 8am on Sunday!
Still I suppose it's the thought that counts - looking forward to Easter now so I can help them eat all their chocolate eggs, there goes the diet again!.
Kerryanne

The Clare Florist prize draw winner for February was Emily Southgate from Attleborough in Norfolk.
Emily wins a delightful spring bouquet worth £50 which is delivered to her with our very best wishes.
All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is post back our comments card when you recieve flowers and you will be automatically entered into our monthly prize draw.

"For most of history, Anonymous was a woman."
— Virginia Woolf

Nearly a century ago, on March 8th 1908, 15 000 women marched through the streets of New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and the right to vote. The following year Americans celebrated the first National Women's Day, and the year after that, at a Socialist International meeting in Copenhagen, it was proposed and agreed that an International Women's Day should be established, to support women's suffrage and honour the women's rights movement. Women from seventeen different countries supported the idea and in 1911 International Women's Day was celebrated in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. Men and women together attended rallies calling for an end to discrimination; for women's rights to work, vote, be trained and hold public office to be honoured. In subsequent years the tradition spread to other European countries and to Russia and it has since become an official holiday in nations as far flung as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The occasion is marked with performances, film showings, music, parades and many other events. Find out what's happening near you here. On a more personal level, women are recognised and celebrated on this day by the men and children to whom they are mothers, wives, girlfriends, sisters, colleagues and friends, through the giving of flowers and small gifts. If only those who dedicated themselves to improving the lives of women could see how far we have come in the past century. I wonder how things will change in the next hundred years...

"Male and female represent the two sides of the great radical dualism. But in fact they are perpetually passing into one another. Fluid hardens to solid, solid rushes to fluid. There is no wholly masculine man, no purely feminine woman."
— Margaret Fuller

"There is no velvet so soft as a mother's lap, no rose as lovely as her smile, no path so flowery as that imprinted with her footsteps." (Archibald Thompson)

In Europe in the Middle Ages, Mothering Sunday revolved around the Christian tradition of 'Refreshment Sunday', and the returning of young labourers and apprentices to their homes, but the holiday all but died out by the 19th century. It was revived following the second world war, brought over from the USA where it had become a commercial holiday.

Long before either of these periods, however, ancient peoples recognised the need to honour and celebrate motherhood. These ancient mother's days often revolved around goddesses who personified motherhood.

Gaia was the great Earth Mother of the ancient Greeks, mother of the sea and sky. She is still worshipped today in Neopagan and Wiccan circles, as the being that is the Earth and as the Goddess of creation.

Another celebrated Greek mother goddess was Gaia's daughter, Rhea, mother of the gods. The Romans called her Cybele and held festivities in honour of her from March 22nd-25th. Like Gaia, she represented the great mother Earth, the fertile fields and wild mountains. The celebrations held in her honour were so wild that Cybele's followers were banished from Rome!

Meanwhile, in the Celtic tradition it was Brigid who was the goddess of unity, healing, childbirth, poetry and fire. She was worshipped in the early Spring celebration of Imbolc, which marked the first of the ewes' milk — the sacred motherly nourishment. After the pagan traditions were overtaken by Christianity, Brigid persisted in the form of St. Brigid, patron saint of Ireland, whose saint day is February 1st, the eve of Candlemass and Imbolc.

As these and the hundreds of other worldwide mother Goddesses suggest, the invaluable and  difficult role that mothers hold —Goddesses, in a sense, every one— is well worthy of honouring.

A Wonderful Mother  (Pat O'Reilly)

God made a wonderful mother,
A mother who never grows old;
He made her smile of the sunshine,
And He molded her heart of pure gold;
In her eyes He placed bright shining stars,
In her cheeks, fair roses you see;
God made a wonderful mother,
And He gave that dear mother to me.

St David, or Dewi Sant as he is called in the land of his patronage, Wales, is the only patron saint of the four British nations who hails from the nation he represents. He is remembered particularly on the day of his death, March 1st. On this day many Welsh people sport one or other of the national emblems: the national flower, the daffodil, or the symbol of St David, the leek. Usually men and boys wear leaks, while the fairer sex opts for the bright yellow daffodils. In Welsh the daffodil is actually called 'Peter's leek', Cenhinen Bedr. The Welsh flag is flown on this day and there is an annual parade in the capital, Cardiff, celebrating the heritage of Wales.

Why leeks? One story goes that the Welsh were struggling in battle against Saxon invaders and part of the problem was that, in the heat of battle, they couldn't tell which men were on which side for both parties wore similar dress. Dewi Sant was nearby and seeing what was happening shouted to the Welsh men, "You must mark yourselves so that you can better tell who is Saxon and who is Welsh." He plucked a flowering leek plant from the ground and said "Here, wear these so you will know that any soldier who does not have a leek is your enemy." This turned the battle around and with the aid of the leek the Welsh were victorious! It's also said that in his life as a monk Dewi Sant lived off only bread, water, herbs and leeks.

Dewi Sant was the son of Non, daughter of Cynyr of Caio, and Sant, of the royal house of Ceredigion, and was born in the fifth century. He studied Christian history and literature and founded a Celtic monastic community at Glyn Rhosyn, 'The Vale of Roses', which is on the western coast of Pembrokeshire, where the Cathedral of St David's now stands. Dewi Sant went on to gain fame as a teacher and ascetic. It's said that when he went to give a speech to a great crowd at Llanddewi Brefi in Ceredigion, those at the outer edges could not hear him, so he placed a handkerchief on the ground and the earth rose to form a small hill under his feet, enabling all to hear. While he was giving his address, a golden-beaked dove landed on his shoulder, further demonstrating his sanctity.

Shortly before his death, in around 589 AD, Dewi Sant spoke to his fellow monks, saying: “Brothers be ye constant. The yoke which with single mind ye have taken, bear ye to the end; and whatsoever ye have seen with me and heard, keep and fulfil. Lords, brothers and sisters, be cheerful, keep the faith, and do those little things which ye have seen me do and heard me say.”