Saturnalia!

[Book Lover]

I nearly forgot - today (the 17th) is the first day of the Roman Saturnalia. Apologies if this has been mentioned already today...

http://www.clubs.psu.edu/up/aegsa/rome/dec16.htm#dec17

The Saturnalia

This day (NP), is for special religious observance.
This is the first day of the Saturnalia. The Saturnalia honors Saturn (Cronus) and is one of the most festive and uninhibited that the ancient Romans celebrated. It went on for seven days and encompassed the Winter Solstice, a time of religious observance for cultures the world over. Feasts were provided by the temples and were open to the public, the poor and the homeless. Servants and masters were met on equal terms. Unable to prevent the people's natural festive inclinations at this time of year, early Christian leaders, clever Greeks that they were, moved Christmas to December and claimed the celebration for their own.

During the Saturnalia, rules were set aside, schools were closed, and slaves could meet their masters on equal terms. Human kindness was the theme and war and the punishment of criminals was halted. The exchange of gifts was universally practiced. Strenae, which were boughs to which were attached cakes or sweetmeats, were exchanged by visitors and guests. Other common gifts included wax candles (cerei) and sigillaria, which were doll-like clay figures, a particular favorite of children.

[davis_islander]

1. Welcome back Sun! Longer days returning....

Do many people know that Christmas has its roots in the pagan celebration called Saturnalia, a celebration of the Winter Solstice and the return of the Sun? When Rome adopted Christianity, they had to give the masses SOMETHING to replace this deeply entrenched celebration. More opiate.

"Where did the world get Christmas? ... from the Bible, or paganism? Here are the astonishing facts which may shock you! Test yourself. How much do you know of the origin of the Christmas tree -- of "Santa Claus" -- of the mistletoe -- of the holly wreath -- of the custom of exchanging gifts? -------------------"

http://www.livingcog.com/b10.htm

[BlueJazz]

2. Actually Saturnalia came from the druid festival called....

...Castanes which become very popular in the New York area in the mid 90's. Castanes (pronounced Ka-stans) was later lengthen to Ka-Stan-za which took the Saturnalia Festival and shortened it to "Festivas" :)

[NervousRex]

3. Excellent...

:-)

[Book Lover]

4. I knew there was some

info I was missing... Thanks for filling in :-)