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April 11, 2009

By Steve Gillespie / managing editor The Meridian Star Sat Apr 11, 2009, 11:26 PM CDT

The Easter Bunny was kind enough to grant me an interview this week. Some segments had to be edited out because of space issues. But other topics we covered not represented in the following Q&A; included: His close ties with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals); global warming (he's against it); and Little Bunny Foo Foo — "That guy's a freak," the Easter Bunny said.

Steve: Why isn't there a fixed date for Easter?

Easter Bunny: Yeah, it do HOP around don't it? Last year it was early, March 23. Next year Easter will be celebrated on April 4, and in 2011 it won't come around until April 24.

The simple explanation is that Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or after the vernal equinox. But it's not that simple, because the vernal equinox shifts from time to time, yet it's a fixed date of March 21 according to the ecclesiastical calendars that are used. It's the same thing with the full moon. The astronomical full moon isn't the same as the tables used in setting the ecclesiastical full moon phases, but it's close.

I remember back in 1962, the equinox happened on March 21, but so did the full moon, about six hours later. According to the ecclesiastical charts, however, the full moon was on March 20, so strictly from an astrological standpoint the first Sunday after March 21 that year should have been Easter, but it wasn't, had to wait for the next full moon, so Easter was on April 22 in 1962.

Steve: Who determined it would be done that way?

Easter Bunny: A committee.

Steve: When?

Easter Bunny: It goes way back man, like they were using a calendar developed by Julius Caesar, then updated to one done by Pope Gregory XIII in the 1500s, he's the guy who invented leap year, then remember the tables I was talking about for determining the full moon?

Steve: Yeah.

Easter Bunny: Well, our western Roman Catholic and protestant religions go by the tables developed using Pope Gregory's calendar, but many of the eastern Orthodox Christian churches still use the tables based on Julius Caesar's calendar. Some eastern churches adopted the Pope Gregory calendar, but they go by the actual astrological full moon for the meridian of Jerusalem to determine when Easter is.

Steve: It's not that simple is it?

Easter Bunny: That's what I said.

Steve: Where do you live?

Easter Bunny: You're not going to put that in the paper are you?

Steve: Well I mean, I don't have to have a physical address, but can you give us a general idea of where your home is? Everyone knows Santa Claus lives at the North Pole.

Easter Bunny: Yeah and everyone knows the groundhog lives in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and you see what they do to him every year, right there on TV. No, I'll pass. Next question.

Steve: Where did the word Easter come from, and what is the significance of the Easter Bunny?

Easter Bunny: Boy you're determined to start an argument aren't ya? It goes way back, too ... a lot of the symbols we use with many Christian holidays were associated with pagan celebrations, it just so happens Eastre, sometimes called Eostre and Ostara was the goddess of fertility, and she was celebrated with the coming of Spring ... and rabbits have long been associated with fertility. Some people don't believe that at all and they say Easter is similar to other words meaning sunrise, or having to do with the sun rising in the east. It could be the Bunny just came in because no one could think of a cuter critter to hide eggs.

Steve: Why eggs?

Easter Bunny: The eggs have lots of meanings for people, they symbolize fertility, new birth, and the resurrection. Traditionally Orthodox Easter Eggs are all dyed red to represent the blood of Christ. The egg represents His tomb and cracking it open symbolizes his resurrection.

Steve: How have the tough economic times had an impact on you?

Easter Bunny: Oh yes, I saw the cartoon that Chris Stewart did of me that's appearing in your Sunday paper. Real funny. Everyone's been affected, but everyone's moving forward, too. It is what it is and this too shall pass. My workers are still cranking out those Easter Baskets and our chickens are still laying eggs. We're still making candy. Everything is fine. Another thing about that cartoon, though. He made me look too skinny, and my teeth don't stick out like that.

Steve: What does one of your workers get for making a basket?

Easter Bunny: Two points.

Steve: Excuse me?

Easter Bunny: Gee Whiz Gillespie you're too serious, lighten up, it's a joke man! Ever hear of basketball?

Steve: OK, last question. How do you personally celebrate Easter?

Easter Bunny: Oh pretty much the same as everyone else I guess, go to church ... relax ... spend time with friends and family ... watch "The Ten Commandments" on TV, and take comfort in the real meaning of it all ... eternal life.

We usually have a big meal, too, but I don't do lamb or ham, just a nice salad ... lots of carrots.

Steve Gillespie is managing editor of The Meridian Star. Email him at

sgillespie@themeridianstar.com.

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