Does anyone else feel a draw towards Saturnalia? I like the idea myself, and as Winter Festivals go, I think I will invest in this one.
For another thing, I am well and truly weary of pink, plastic 'Christmas trees' and the wholehearted attempts at making money. It's enough to endure a Christian holiday (I'm no special thang- I put up a tree and give gifts for my husband's family) but I'm thinking that I might go the extra distance and celebrate, each year, a different tradition. I seem to do my own thing every year, anyway, so I thought I'd actually make it the centrepiece, as it were.
This year? I've decided to celebrate Saturnalia. Starting on the 17th and going all the way to the 23rd. Those oppressed will wear the 'Master's Hat', and be as outspoken as they like. The timid will be served by the dominant. So far, 8 out of 10 friends think it's a fine idea.
Anyone else boldly bucking the Christmas idea?
Full Version: Io Saturnalia!
I celebrate Saturnalia anyway as part of my path 
Looking forward to a week of jollity and fun
Looking forward to a week of jollity and fun
That sounds great Etayne. Personally, I haven't had 'christian' elements to Christmas for a long time-no nativity in this house
Although we were brought up Catholic no-one in the family believes in it anymore so there is no real discussion of the birth of Jesus etc. My nephew has just started school and it is C of E so he is learning all about it now. He thinks it must all be true because they wouldn't teach him about it at school otherwise!
QUOTE
I celebrate Saturnalia anyway as part of my path
? could we explain a bit more for novice ?
Bb seg
The Saturnalia is one of the oldest Roman festivals. It honours the God Saturn, and his wife, Ops, who is are two of the oldest Roman Gods and who is the father and mother of Jupiter/Zeus. Saturn is an ancient god of agriculture and his festival was celebrated on about 17th Dec (depending on which calendar you use etc of course ) and was a celebration lasting about 7 days. Certainly during the first two or three days it was decreed that no work or trade should be done, but that the days should be devoted to rest, feasting, and enjoyment. It became a tradition that things would become topsy-turvy during the Saturnalia, so slaves could wear the clothing that marked them as "free" for the period, their masters would serve them, jokes were played - it's the origin of the Lord of Misrule idea. The trees were decorated, and gifts were exchanged, little symbolic ones, so gifts of coins, candles etc.
So, translating that into modern times, I always get my tree on the 17th and decorate it then, a new candle lit every night for the 7 nights, I try and wear my "good" clothes, cook really good meals, give little gifts of chocolate coins, do things a bit differently, even if it just means feeding the cats before I feed us, going a different way to work for the week, and generally treating each night as something quite special.
) and was a celebration lasting about 7 days. Certainly during the first two or three days it was decreed that no work or trade should be done, but that the days should be devoted to rest, feasting, and enjoyment. It became a tradition that things would become topsy-turvy during the Saturnalia, so slaves could wear the clothing that marked them as "free" for the period, their masters would serve them, jokes were played - it's the origin of the Lord of Misrule idea. The trees were decorated, and gifts were exchanged, little symbolic ones, so gifts of coins, candles etc. So, translating that into modern times, I always get my tree on the 17th and decorate it then, a new candle lit every night for the 7 nights, I try and wear my "good" clothes, cook really good meals, give little gifts of chocolate coins, do things a bit differently, even if it just means feeding the cats before I feed us, going a different way to work for the week, and generally treating each night as something quite special.
Thanks so much for the explation It sounds like a great time for 7 days I think i will look more into that ready for the 17th December.
Thanks again
It sounds like a great time for 7 days I think i will look more into that ready for the 17th December.Thanks again
Etayne and Pomona, that was very interesting.
I am now reading the SPQR novel series by John Maddox Roberts (US). He worked Saturnalia into his character's lives. As I recall, Saturnalia was observed for one day in Republican times but it was extended to three days in the early Imperial period. It must have been extended again in the later Imperial period.
I have always had a strong affinity to Roman religion and there are some observances to Jupiter and Apollo in my Trad tradition, mostly morning libations and personal prayer, as well as our treatment of water in ritual & magic in the Roman manner. I have been thinking of increasing observances.
I think I will add Saturnalia next year. Thank you so much.
I am now reading the SPQR novel series by John Maddox Roberts (US). He worked Saturnalia into his character's lives. As I recall, Saturnalia was observed for one day in Republican times but it was extended to three days in the early Imperial period. It must have been extended again in the later Imperial period.
I have always had a strong affinity to Roman religion and there are some observances to Jupiter and Apollo in my Trad tradition, mostly morning libations and personal prayer, as well as our treatment of water in ritual & magic in the Roman manner. I have been thinking of increasing observances.
I think I will add Saturnalia next year. Thank you so much.
Hi Naturius.
Yup, you're dead right, Saturnalia was decreed as a single day's festivities, but it gradually became a seven-day festival as adopted by the plebs! And why not?! 
Nothing else going on so it makes sense
Yup, you're dead right, Saturnalia was decreed as a single day's festivities, but it gradually became a seven-day festival as adopted by the plebs!
And why not?! Nothing else going on so it makes sense QUOTE(Pomona @ Dec 15 2006, 01:21 PM)
The Saturnalia is one of the oldest Roman festivals. It honours the God Saturn, and his wife, Ops, who is are two of the oldest Roman Gods and who is the father and mother of Jupiter/Zeus. Saturn is an ancient god of agriculture and his festival was celebrated on about 17th Dec (depending on which calendar you use etc of course ) and was a celebration lasting about 7 days. Certainly during the first two or three days it was decreed that no work or trade should be done, but that the days should be devoted to rest, feasting, and enjoyment. It became a tradition that things would become topsy-turvy during the Saturnalia, so slaves could wear the clothing that marked them as "free" for the period, their masters would serve them, jokes were played - it's the origin of the Lord of Misrule idea. The trees were decorated, and gifts were exchanged, little symbolic ones, so gifts of coins, candles etc.
So, translating that into modern times, I always get my tree on the 17th and decorate it then, a new candle lit every night for the 7 nights, I try and wear my "good" clothes, cook really good meals, give little gifts of chocolate coins, do things a bit differently, even if it just means feeding the cats before I feed us, going a different way to work for the week, and generally treating each night as something quite special.
) and was a celebration lasting about 7 days. Certainly during the first two or three days it was decreed that no work or trade should be done, but that the days should be devoted to rest, feasting, and enjoyment. It became a tradition that things would become topsy-turvy during the Saturnalia, so slaves could wear the clothing that marked them as "free" for the period, their masters would serve them, jokes were played - it's the origin of the Lord of Misrule idea. The trees were decorated, and gifts were exchanged, little symbolic ones, so gifts of coins, candles etc. So, translating that into modern times, I always get my tree on the 17th and decorate it then, a new candle lit every night for the 7 nights, I try and wear my "good" clothes, cook really good meals, give little gifts of chocolate coins, do things a bit differently, even if it just means feeding the cats before I feed us, going a different way to work for the week, and generally treating each night as something quite special.
Interesting Stuff! Thanx Pomona!
Pikey.
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