Mardis Gras

[Haruth]

Also referred to as Shrove Tuesday: the day before Lent begins, is upon us! With a new moon to accompany it to boot (Though not that uncommon - due to the lunar component in the calculation of Easter...)

...what? Why on earth has he put a Christian celebration in the pagan paths section?

Shrove Tuesday traditionally is the day for eating up the last of the rich foods that remain in the house and for having a big party before a long period of discipline and repentence. (Fat Tuesday (Mardis Gras) reflects this tradition).

Its roots likely predate Christianity considerably, as this was the time of year when the stockpile of foods from the previous year were starting to get seriously low. It has been suggested that the roots of Lent are a reflection of the need to cut back in order to survive into the spring, and that perhaps Mardis Gras was one final celebration marking both the end of the New Year, and to prepare for lean times ahead. Lent, then can be viewed not as a form of penance, but as an acknowledgment: in which scarcity becomes ritualised in a way that it is acceptable, without actually suffering it.

Coincidentally, in many native traditions, this New Moon is variably "Hunger Moon", "Little Famine Moon", "Boney Moon": all of which seem to indicate a common theme across the northern hemisphere at this time of year.

In many areas (well, the UK, and Ireland, only...) it is believed that to eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday means that you will not go without food during the coming year - another allusion to scarcity and the fear of it. Made from batter and fried like a thin cake in fat the ingredients themselves are of symbolic significance for the time of year: Eggs - Creation; Flour - The staff of life; Salt - Wholesomeness; Milk - Purity.

So, whether you are Salsa-ing into the wee small hours, or just stuffing your face with pancakes...
Happy Lent Eve

And what will you be giving up for the next 40 days, I wonder... :P

[soulone]

In Louisiana, we say Happy Lundi Gras, so Happy Lundi Gras to you!!

[Echo]

Shrove-Tuesday, at whose entrance in the morning all the whole kingdom is inquiet, but by that time the clocke strikes eleven, which (by the help of a knavish sexton) is commonly before nine, then there is a bell rung, cal'd the Pancake-bell, the sound whereof makes thousands of people distracted, and forgetful either of manners or humanitie; then there is a thing called wheaten floure, which the cookes do mingle with water, eggs, spice, and other tragical, magical inchantments, and then they put it by little and little into a frying pan of boiling suet, where it makes a confused dismal hissing, (like the Lernean Snakes in the reeds of Acheron, Stix, or Phlegeton) until at last, by the skill of the Cooke, it is transformed into the forme of a Flip-Jack, cal'd a Pancake, which ominous incantation the ignorant people doe devoure very greedily.
John Taylor, (1580 - 1654)

In Scarborough in North Yorkshire there used to be long ropes streched across the promenade and groups of people would skip together. I'm not sure if this still happens there. I believe skipping was once a magical act, performed near the barrows, and has to do with the fertility of the spring earth.

[Haruth]

...tragical, magical inchantments...

This part of your recipe isn't too clear, Echo. Should there be more tragical, or more magical...

Though the very act of flipping the result can lead to unexpected tragical...

[Echo]

Ha, Master Haruth! I have, this evening flipped the light and magical cakes in oodles, with ne'er a tragical episode.