The Secret of the Easter Bunny and Other Beautiful Paschal Symbols

Although I am a Christian Orthodox I’ve always wondered why there is an Easter Bunny, what’s its secret, what story brought the hare among the other beautiful and meaningful Paschal symbols such as the Easter Eggs, the lamb, or the lily flower.

This year Orthodox Easter will be celebrated on Sunday, May the 5th and I look forward to coloring Easter eggs with their ancient symbology (this year we’ll try all natural dyes), cooking delicious Romanian lamb-terrine called drob, assisting my husband in baking delicious cozonac, and mostly celebrating the holy fire of Easter, in my heart. There was no Easter Bunny when I grew up in Romania.

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Hidden Transylvania, Secrets of Ancient Carpathian Forests and an Enigmatic Grey Wolf

On the Night of Saint Andrew, on Wolves' Night #Im4Ro

Join me in a fictional exploration of hidden Transylvania and its unique wilderness as we unveil the secrets of its ancient Carpathian forests, especially the enigmatic Grey Wolf. I am very excited to take this legendary trip with you as the Grey Wolf plays a big role in my future novel.

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The New Year in Romania and the Bear, Unveiling Magical Rites

bear and travelers, fable about friends

As the world transits from the old to the new year I am remembered of the bear and its rejuvenation and of some lesser-known magical rites from Romania. Much like nutrients enrich the soil before the sun even warms the earth in spring, awakening beings from slumber, the hibernating bear symbolizing life in delicate equilibrium.

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On the Night of Saint Andrew, on Wolves’ Night #Im4Ro

On the Night of Saint Andrew, on Wolves' Night #Im4Ro

On the Night of Saint Andrew, on wolves’ night, in Romanian folklore it is believed that the boundary between the living world and the realm of the dead becomes blurred. Troublesome spirits, known as strigoii, moroii, or vampires, are said to roam the villages, especially the crossroads, tormenting the living and even inflict harm.

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