Thanks to @soulguidance
Axial Tilt. The reason for the Season.
Saturnalia Midwinter Festival and dark/light shenanigans
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✨🌲🔥☀️ Dating as far back as 2300BC the Ancient Romans celebrated Saturnalia from approx Dec 17th until 23rd/24th. Then on Dec 25th they worshipped the rebirth/Birthday of Sol Invictus the “Unconquered Sun”, as it seemed to “reappear” in the sky, as it’s light brightened and days began to lengthen following the darkened Solstice - the longest and darkest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
Saturnalia, one of the earliest recorded traditions, is a pagan festival that celebrates what was seen as the reincarnation of Saturn, the Roman God of Fire, Agriculture, Wealth, Renewal, Equality and Liberation, and revered in ancient times as the original Sun. The Romans were so thankful to their Sun for returning after the darkness that they commemorated by throwing inhibited, dramatic and languish parties to ensure the Sun would continue coming back each year, after the darkest hours of Solstice.
Saturn is known as a God of pleasure, giving pleasure to all the senses of humans, so pretty much anything and everything was acceptable during Saturnalia. The courts closed, laws were abolished so no crimes were committed, and the people ate, drank, chaotically partied, deliberately displayed naughtiness and expressed gratitude.
Trees have always been significant in Pagan's celebrations, and they worshipping them in forests and decorating their homes with nature’s symbols of new life, harvest and fertility. It is said that early Christians recruited Roman pagans, and what followed was the celebration of Christmas, remarkably identical to Saturnalia, but without the wild hedonism.
Saturnalia traditions include the birth of the Sun God, decorating homes and trees, visiting friends and family, free speech, playing games, dancing, offering gifts, burning logs, hanging wreaths and holly, raucously singing, beating drums, wearing fancy costumes (or even partying nude), enjoying feasts and lighting candles to mark the return of the light.
