sun worship

Alissa believes that worship of the sun - and to a lesser extent all other celestial bodies - predates all other forms of worship and is still with us today in its pure form as astrology and sun basking, and in its bastardized form as Christianity particularly.

"As Christianity spread, many pagan sun-worshipping symbols and celebrations were appropriated,” says Alissa. “Among them, the evergreen trees that Romans brought into their homes for Solstice celebrations and the apples (baubles) that North European pagans tied to trees to remind themselves that Spring and Summer would return."

"Then there were the candles that pagans placed on tree branches, and the Solstice bonfires and Yule logs that ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Druids and Norsemen used to help the sun to shine more brightly."

"Even Santa Claus and the elves came from sun-worshipping pagans!"

"Unfortunately, even the joyful spring-time pagan ritual of oestrus representing sexual receptivity, fertility and birth was bastardized to become Easter representing the passion and resurrection of Jesus,” says Alissa. “At a time in the celestial seasons when people wanted to rejoice in spring and the increasing warmth and brightness of the sun, the Church gave us instead the vision of a man dying on a cross."

"Actually, the cross was an ancient symbol for the sun and eternal life," says Alissa, "so it is no coincidence that the Church tells us that through Jesus' death on the cross we have been given eternal life.”

“Thankfully, easter eggs and bunnies still prevail to remind us of what spring really represents."

"The rebirth of the sun at Winter Solstice validates man's survival and alleviates fears of death,” says Alissa. “It brings hope and promises spring with longer days and more light and warmth.”

“What’s not to worship about the sun!”

Read more by Alissa on this issue:

sun gods and virgins

inventing sun gods

nightmares and nightlights

harnessing the sun