from the Chronicles of Celtic Custom by Brian Day
CELTIC. Hard-boiled eggs (or Paschal (Passion Lamb) Eggs) are decorated
today or rolled down slopes to see which will get furthest. It is a
sign of good luck to come for those whose egg-shells remain intact. The
Church adopted this custom of egg-rolling and taught that it symbolised
the rollowing away of the stone which closed Christ's tomb.
Well-worship, water spirits and water rituals are associated with Easter
Eve and Easter Day, a pagan survival integrated into later Church blessings.
WALES. Graves of loved ones were cleaned and fresh flowers supplied for
Easter.
A custom today was the wearing by a girl of an earthenware crown, the
points of which formed cups, which were filled with a drink called
bragod. In between the cups candles were stuck on with clay. Those
present took it in turns to try and drink the bragod without being burnt
or causing the girl to be burnt. The custom was sometimes done on
Easter Tuesday.
Well-water throughout Wales was believed to turn into wine during the
time between 11pm and midnight.
--
Pat Connors, Sacramento CA
http://www.connorsgenealogy.com
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