I shall therefore continue (in the next chapter) to point
out these astronomical references--which are full of
significance and poetry; but with a recommendation at the
same time to the reader not to forget the poetry and significance
of the terrestrial interpretations.

Between Christmas Day and Easter there are several minor
festivals or holy days--such as the 28th December (the
Massacre of the Innocents), the 6th January (the
Epiphany), the 2nd February (Candlemas[1] Day), the
period of Lent (German Lenz, the Spring), the Annunciation of the
Blessed Virgin, and so forth--which have been
commonly celebrated in the pagan cults before Christianity,
and in which elements of Star and Nature worship
can be traced; but to dwell on all these would take too
long; so let us pass at once to the period of Easter itself.

[1] This festival of the Purification of the Virgin corresponds
with the old Roman festival of Juno Februata (i. e. purified)
which was held in the last month (February) of the Roman year,
and which included a candle procession of Ceres, searching for
Proserpine. (F. Nork, Der Mystagog.)



III. THE SYMBOLISM OF THE ZODIAC

The Vernal Equinox has all over the ancient world, and
from the earliest times, been a period of rejoicing and of
festivals in honor of the Sungod. It is needless to labor