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The Megalithic Portal and Megalith Map : Index >>
Stones Forum >> What are we celebrating at this time of year?
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What are we celebrating at this time of year? |
Andy B
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from Surrey, UK
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|  Posted 20-12-2006 at 19:15
creators writes: In the Roman calendar December 25th was called Natalis Solis Invicti , birthday of the “Unconquered Sun”. It was the date three days after the solstice that the sun started to rise higher in the sky. The feast of Saturn began with feasting and the giving of gifts. Emperor Aurelian blended all the pagan solstice celebrations of the birth of their god/saviours under one date. At that time he declared Mithraism as the official state religion of the Empire.
Mithras was said to have been born in a stable with animals and shepherds present. Mithraic rituals included , breaking and sharing loaves of bread and drinking wine mixed with water.
The “Celts” and Teutons decorated evergreen trees with lights, evergreens being blessed of the gods. They even set a tree alight to emulate the return to life and entice the sun to return.
Another “Celtic” ritual was putting lights outside the house and lights in the windows during the Yuletide season, they also kept bonfires burning. Holly and Ivy both blessed of the gods were used to decorate the home. Mistletoe, a divine plant, was a healing plant and a protection from evil, it was hung in the doorway as a protection against evil, people entering the home safely were given a welcoming kiss. Because it was so venerated by the pagan culture it couldn’t be symbolised as Christian. Most Churches even today will not decorate with it.
Even Santa Claus is pre Christian, coming from Thor protector of the peasants and common folk. He was described as heavily built with a long white beard and dressed in red. He lived in the Northland in the snow. He came down the chimney bearing gifts.
On December 26th, in Roman times, People put gifts of clothes and food in boxes and left them in the temple for the poor, hence Boxing Day.
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cropredy
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| Posted 21-12-2006 at 17:48
This is from 2000 , so allow for that.
http://www.americanatheist.org/supplement/wintersol-sun-moon.html
kevin
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Kieren
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| Posted 21-12-2006 at 17:57
I'm celebrating getting one guarenteed day off work where nobody will phone me!
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butekaz
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|  Posted 28-12-2006 at 13:32
As someone who's not religious,I don't celebrate Christmas. For people who are religious, then I have no problem with them celebrating their festivals; be it Christmas, Easter, Divali,or Yom Kippur. What I don't really like is the way people "hijack" a religious time and use it as an excuse to over-indulge(in more ways than one!)
As someone who respects this planet that we live on, I believe that we owe it to future generations not to exploit what we have been left in charge of!
I'm not part of the horsehair and sandal brigade but I do practise what I preach! (excuse the pun!!)
I live a simple life, without many of the things that people seem to regard as necessities in life!
I don't have a car, or an MP3 player,or an Xbox!!
Have only just got a mobile and a computer!!!
I have been called a tree-hugger in the past, but if having respect for the natural world around you is something to be laughed at, then go ahead and laugh at me! I know that when the ice sheet melts and the sea levels rise and global warming is out of control, that my conscience will be clear!!
Happy Holidays to you all!!!
butekaz
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coldrum
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| Posted 30-12-2006 at 21:29
Hope everyone has a good New Year.
A link to a site about Janus:
http://www.novareinna.com/festive/janus.html
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hamish
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from Bristol
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| Posted 30-12-2006 at 21:48
That was interesting Coldrum, I remember at Hogmanay Scotland we used to open the front door to let the old year out and open the back door to let the new year in. Maybe a memory of the same god.
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