Pink Hare Moon

April’s full moon was once known to the ancients as the Pink Moon. The name derives not from the colour of the moon itself but from the pink blossoming land that springs to life at this time of year. Other names given to April’s full moon include new shoots moon, seed moon, budding moon and my favourite from medieval Britain, Hare Moon. Hares and Easter have a longstanding relationship. In Pagan times hares were sacrificed to the spring goddess ‘Eostre’ whose name later evolved into the word ‘Easter’, the Christian replacement for the old Pagan celebration. It was also believed that Hares laid eggs at spring, and before being changed in more recent times, the Easter Bunny was originally a Hare. Not only during April does the landscape come alive, but so does the practice of spring rituals. In the old Lancashire town of Bacup, the Britannia Coconut Dancers perform a spring ritual of Pagan or medieval origin to celebrate the coming of spring, the renewal of vegetation and to move on any lingering evil spirits of winter. The dancers blacken their faces as part of a tradition called ‘guising’ to prevent themselves being recognised by any spirits when they return next year. Meanwhile in Hallaton in Leicestershire, the tradition of the Hare pie scramble will be taking place, a tradition believed to go all the way back to when Hares were still sacrificed to the goddess ‘Eostre’.