[HPforGrownups] Re: Wizards and Muggle traditions

[MadameSSnape at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 60570

In a message dated 6/16/2003 1:54:23 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
mangankat at aol.com writes:

> Christmas and Easter are not muggle holiday's, they are christian 
> holiday's, at least, that's the impression I'm under...
> That just open's a can of worms, that I'm sure has been discussed at 
> nausium. I need to do more research, but think in J.K.R's world, 
> perhaps one can be both.
> 

Christmas & Easter go back a great deal earlier than Christianity - to Yule & 
Ostara, from which a lot of the traditions & symbols of the Christian 
holidays have been taken - trees, lights, rabbits, &c.  In the Muggle world - at 
least here in America - both holidays have become so secularized that they can 
hardly be classified as "holy days" any longer.  (And there are those who "do 
both" in the real world, as well - as a Pagan from a Christian family, I'm one of 
them.  I do Yule with my coven, Christmas with my family.)

In all honesty, though, I think the administration at Hogwarts simply decided 
to align their school schedule with that of the Muggle world, to keep the 
students' absence from home as unremarkable as possible.  "Hey - how come that 
Granger girl is home from school at Hallowe'en?  And May Day?  And Groundhog 
Day?"  (I know - they don't HAVE that in England, but you get my drift...)  IMHO, 
it's part of the Keep Muggles In the Dark plan...

Sherrie
(who's just had to deal with a bunch of Muggles at a Witch wedding...) <g>


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