Today I am celebrating my birthday. At least that’s what other people think I should be doing. The truth is, I’m reflecting on the fact that another year of my life has passed by in the blink of an eye – and I’m not sure if I feel like celebrating that at all.
Don’t get me wrong – I enjoy birthdays. Not for the presents, but for the unconditional love and goodwill I receive from friends and family. In a sense I suppose that outpouring of warmth is what cocoons you from the reality that you are a year older.
It got me thinking about the origin of birthday celebrations and a quick Google revealed what I suspected, which is that they are rooted in paganism. The customs of offering congratulations, presenting gifts and celebrating – complete with lighted candles – in ancient times were meant to protect the celebrant from evil spirits and to ensure their security for the coming year. These offerings were intended to appease and please the birthday boy or girl’s guardian spirit or daemon.
In fact, the Christian Church rejected the birthday celebration as pagan until the 4th century, and no doubt many Christians still feel the only birthday that should be celebrated is that of Jesus Christ – even though there’s little evidence He was born on December 25.
These days it’s all about the individual rather than the higher power but I think it’s a shame we’ve lost that connection. I like the idea that my birthday should be as much about me showing gratitude for my life as it is about others celebrating my life.
As a daughter, I’ll say thank you to my parents for having me. As a sister, I’ll say thank you to my siblings. As an Aquarian and proud of it, I’ll give a big thank-you to my ruling planets – Saturn and Uranus – and to the sun, for returning to my birth position for another year.
As a wife, I’ll thank my husband for marrying me. As a friend, my gratitude goes to all of them for their continuing friendship. As a child of the universe (no less than the trees and the stars), I thank the universe for allowing me to be a physical part of it.
And if I have a guardian spirit (who knows if there is one, maybe there are many), can I offer deep gratitude for all the sterling work you’ve put in over the years without acknowledgement from me, and now that I am acknowledging you, please could you carry on for at least another year?
Come back next February for the 2013 Birthday Oscars. I love you all.
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