A prank… or an ancient crazy ritual? 🐟
April Fools' Day...
That famous day when mischievous spirits have fun, while others just wait for one thing: for it to end! But where does this tradition of jokes and fish hanging on the back come from?
And above all, why a FISH ?
The origins of April Fools' Day are unclear and lack a single explanation. Between calendar changes, spring festivals, and ancient traditions, there are many avenues to explore. But what if this day concealed something deeper than a simple opportunity for jokes? Some historical clues suggest it could be linked to cycles of transformation, illusions, and the energy of chaos…
An ancient heritage of renewal
Long before modern jokes, the arrival of spring marked a spiritual and energetic turning point . The equinox was a sacred time to celebrate renewal and rebirth. In ancient times, the Romans held the 'Festival of Hilaria' (It makes you think hilarious though!) at the end of March, where disguises and chaos reigned, recalling the spirit of April Fools ' Day pranks.
Additionally, until the late 16th century, New Year's was celebrated around April 1st in some regions. With the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1582, the start of the year was moved to January 1st. Some continued to celebrate on April 1st, and were reportedly mocked by offering fake gifts, invitations, or pranks.
The fish, messenger of the mystical waters
Why a fish? There are several explanations:
Prophetic visions: In some pagan traditions, drawing a fish under one's pillow on April 1st Eve was believed to promote prophetic dreams.
The astrological sign of Pisces , which ends at the end of March, is associated with dreams, intuition and passages between the visible and invisible worlds.
The fish in alchemy and esotericism symbolizes transformation and adaptation, recurring themes at this time of year.
A day of upheaval and chaotic energy.
The April Fools' Day celebrations also recall ancient times of upheaval , such as April Fools' Day, which also recalls the Feast of Fools (in December) and certain spring festivals , where the established order was temporarily disrupted by pranks and games. These moments of chaos and rebellion often symbolize, in esotericism, moments when the boundary between worlds becomes more fluid... and when the magic of change can take place.
What if this day was not only an opportunity to laugh , but also an ideal time to work with the energy of chaos , renewal and exploring illusions? Perhaps this is the perfect time for a ritual linked to the Water element…
A water-inspired ritual of renewal
Why not take advantage of this opportunity for a ritual bath or a symbolic shower of renewal , linked to the element Water? By adding salt, herbs with intuitive properties like lavender or rosemary, and visualizing the water carrying away stagnant energies, you could transform this chaotic day into a true moment of connection with the energies of the moment. The energy of renewal!
So, this year, will you be the one who plays a joke or the one who treats yourself to a moment of renewal? The choice is yours!
See you soon, my little toad ✨
Annie