Shrove apparently coming from the old english word shrive which means to obtain absolution for ones sins and to be cleansed of them. But the use of the word historically and its association with this particular day would also suggest consumption of dairy and fats before the fasting of the 40 day lenten period. This being the period of time traditionally used by Christians to fast in preperation for the most holy of days, Easter Sunday. A tradition carried on for the past couple of millennia or so. A quick google reveals little information on the supplanting of the christian narrative here so I can but assume that the adherence to a spring clean is very old indeed.
Nowadays we have absolved ourselves of the past and dismantled the shackles of the religion of our immediate ancestors and all vestige is gone except for the pancake consumed with much eagerness on this day. Instagram awash today with images of the crepe in every conceivable variant. Yum.
But its got me thinking more of the fast rather than the feast and whether it is religiously prescribed or not it is an interesting aspect of our history and is imbedded in many traditions for spiritual and cleansing puposes as well as for its many proported health giving aspects. Fasting has been used therapeutically since at least the 5th century bce, when Greek physician Hippocrates recommended abstinence from food or drink for patients who exhibited certain symptoms of illness. Todays fashion for intermittant fasting, that is confining the hours for eating therefore giving time for a daily fast and therefore time for the body to properly consume absorbe and disperse energy is perhaps a contemperory manefestation of an ages old tradition.
Here in ireland the Irish names for certain days of the week were allinghned with the weekley fasting system of the church. Dé Céadaoin first fast, Déardaoin between fasts Dé hAoine day of fast. Again could this maybe harken back to some older system? Much to ponder.