This is the year that I realized something about the expression "pagan". To me it is a religious version of colonialism. It is like "eskimo". Everyone before the Roman Catholics was considered a pagan. And here we are just having experienced Winter Solstice.
And so our Longest Night of the year is a celebration originating with the pagans. As compared to what or who?
Wouldn't it originate with any humans who could track the days and nights. So wouldn't it be the Babylonians? Yes, The festival began in Babylon with the birth day of the first sun god Tammuz on the ancient winter solstice on December 25th.The article continues: "Pagans still celebrate this original solar deity birth."
And then continues with: "The most important time of celebration for pagans (i.e., earth worshipers) is the Winter Solstice (Yule, Saturnalia or Midwinter). Yule is the northernmost point of their Wheel of the Year, which is a Witch’s Wheel that’s an annual cycle of seasonal festivals that serves to tether people to earth and earthly things." This comes from sapphirethroneministries.wordpress.com and it is one of many like this.
At the other end of the spectrum, similar to secular Christmas descriptions: "The occasion is marked with sweet and traditional winter solstice rituals—from brewing mulled cider and eating winter solstice foods, to lighting lanterns, reciting winter solstice quotes, striking special yoga moves, and setting intentions for the season ahead."
And in between are articles on the winter solstice celebrations that have been traditions for hundreds and thousands of years - the Hopi Indians of Arizona, the Persian festival Yalda, Into Raymi in Peru, and Dong Zhi in China. So here we are finding our own balance in a diverse world.
And the conclusion? Most of us are just happy the dark days get shorter as the days go by.
Our picture today is the only winter layout I've ever seen. |
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