Color of the day: Pink Incense of the day: Thyme Incense of the day: Thyme Good Friday comes this month, the old woman runs, With one-a-penny, two-a-penny, Hot Cross Buns. Whose virtue is, if you believe what's said, They'll not grow moldy like common bread. The Anglo-Saxons originally made these sacramental cakes to honor the spring goddess, Eostre. The early Christian church tried to ban the little cakes with no success, so they cut a cross on top of each bun and called them Hot Cross Buns. They are considered very lucky when eaten on Good Friday. Householders tucked a piece of a Hot Cross Bun in the rafters of their homes and barns to protect them from fire, mice, and other pests. Sailors brought a bun onboard to keep themselves safe from shipwreck. A piece of the bun crumbled into milk will cure stomach ailments. Recipes for Hot Cross Buns can be found on the Internet and in most cookbooks. What better way to respect the rhythms of the year than by observing this ancient practice? |