Birthdays Galore

August is a busy month for me as most of my loved ones were born in August. All but, me who just had to be different and then my son who followed in my footsteps to that point and got lost somewhere along the line because he is nothing like me.
I love birthdays, they are very special in many ways, without birthdays we would not be here.
There is evidence of birthday observances that date back before the rise of Christianity. Astrology focuses on the positions of the sun, moon, and stars at the moment or day of one’s birth. It teaches that the position of the sun, moon and starts at the time of ones birth determines their future, destiny, their character, their personality, talents, health and so on. This is where the horoscopes or birthday charts come from.
In pagan cultures people believe that evil spirits were more dangerous to a person when they experienced a change in their daily life, like turning a day older. Because of this birthdays were a merry occasion celebrated with family and friends who surrounded the person with joy, laughter, positive thoughts, and happy wishes for the up coming year. This was believed to protect them from evil during their day of change.
Putting candles on the cake goes back to ancient Greece. They worshipped many gods and goddesses. Artemis was the goddess o the moon and her birthday was celebrated once each month by special cakes that were round like a full moon. Because the moon glows with light, the cakes were covered with lighted candles.
All around the world birthdays are celebrated in one way or another. When a child turns 1 in Egypt, the parties are filled with dancing and singing. Flowers and fruit are used to decorate as a symbol of life and growth. In Saudi Arabia, birthdays are not celebrated due to spiritual beliefs. In Hong Kong, the birthday child is served special long noodles, which it so symbolize a long life. Sending birthday cards is a custom that begin in England about 100 years ago.Just about everyone today celebrates birthdays. Around the world people hold birthday parties, giving gifts and wishing happy birthday to the one whose birthday it being celebrated. No matter what your beliefs or customs it is a special day indeed.