toobfreak
Tungsten/Glass Member
Technically, the "Christmas season" begins after Thanksgiving but for all intents and purposes here, I'll limit it to just the major portion we really celebrate which begins right before Christmas, through the 12 Days of Christmas and ends with Easter:
But a more subtle aspect began today, at least from an archeohistoric aspect, the celebration of Saturn. I wonder if we might learn something from the Ancients? Looking at the Temple of Saturn, one of the oldest structures of the Forum in Rome, it was here that ancient Romans began their celebrations of Saturnalia, which started on December 17. Both the temple and the festival are dedicated to the agricultural god Saturn, whose reign was associated with a golden age of prosperity and peace. Saturnalia festivities kicked off with a sacrifice at the temple, followed by a public banquet and a week of general merrymaking. Activities included gambling, eating, drinking, and playing music. Businesses and schools closed, and even slaves were free from work and allowed to participate in the festivities. Many Saturnalia customs evolved actually into adopted Christmas traditions, such as gift giving, decorating homes with wreaths, and drinking spiced wine. Let the festivities begin.
But a more subtle aspect began today, at least from an archeohistoric aspect, the celebration of Saturn. I wonder if we might learn something from the Ancients? Looking at the Temple of Saturn, one of the oldest structures of the Forum in Rome, it was here that ancient Romans began their celebrations of Saturnalia, which started on December 17. Both the temple and the festival are dedicated to the agricultural god Saturn, whose reign was associated with a golden age of prosperity and peace. Saturnalia festivities kicked off with a sacrifice at the temple, followed by a public banquet and a week of general merrymaking. Activities included gambling, eating, drinking, and playing music. Businesses and schools closed, and even slaves were free from work and allowed to participate in the festivities. Many Saturnalia customs evolved actually into adopted Christmas traditions, such as gift giving, decorating homes with wreaths, and drinking spiced wine. Let the festivities begin.
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