Dates for Easter - Moon Based
Posted by BC on March 20th, 2008
This post is not for religious purposes, but to help those of you who are asked if you know why Easter is so early this year. My own dad told me that I was “full of hooey” when I told him the answer. But here it is, folks:
The date for Easter is determined by the lunar cycle. It is the first Sunday after the first Full Moon that is on or after the Vernal Equinox. This year, being a leap year, moved the date up even sooner. Vernal Equinox was on Thursday, 20 March, 2008; Full Moon is also Thursday, 20 March; and the first Sunday after is 23 March.
The history of the various calendars is interesting, but when the date for Easter is thrown in, it makes for an interesting read. You can find more information online if you make a search for it. One link I found is from geocities.
