Easter’s date each year has astronomical origins. Passover begins on the 14th day of Nisan, after the spring equinox, and celebrates the Israelites’ liberation from Egyptian slavery. The sign of Aries begins on the first day of spring and seems an appropriate time for the Hebrews to embark on a new phase of their experience with energy and enthusiasm. The Hebrew calendar is lunar, and the 14th day of Nisan coincides with a full Moon. The full Moon astrologically also nicely describes the drama of this important event.

Christians celebrate Easter on the Sunday after Passover, so it’s the first Sunday after the first full Moon after the spring equinox. Easter represents hope and renewal, which are also tied to the sign of Aries. Aries is represented by a ram, a male sheep, and a lamb is a young sheep. Jesus is often referred to as the “lamb of God” since he sacrificed himself. This ties in with the sacrifice of the Passover Lamb, in keeping with the symbolism of Aries, as are knives and bloodshed. The death of Christ heralds a new era of spiritual vitality, which coincides with the growth and renewed energy of the natural world in spring.