Winter Solstice
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This year the winter solstice and the official first day of winter begins on December 21st. On this date, in the northern hemisphere, we welcome the longest night of the year. For many, the winter solstice doesn’t hold any importance, it’s simply the day that the seasons change from autumn to winter.
However once upon a time in ancient Rome, the winter solstice was an important time of year. It began as a time when farmers would offer gifts and sacrifices to the gods in return for a healthy winter and prosperity for the Romans. Agriculture in ancient Rome was a lifeline for its people. An abundant and healthy crop meant healthy citizens, but a bad crop meant disease and disruption.
Eventually, the importance of the winter solstice grew from a time of ritual for farmers to a celebration for all! And the winter solstice, as well as the days leading up to it, became a celebration in honour of Saturn the god of agriculture. The Romans named this week-long event Saturnalia and it quickly became the most popular festival in all of ancient Rome.
Roman citizens and slaves throughout the empire waited all year for the celebration of Saturnalia. During the festival, people decorated their homes with wreaths and other greenery. All businesses and schools were closed and the Romans spent their time singing, playing music, feasting, gambling, socializing and giving each other gifts. Even slaves did not have to work during Saturnalia, but were given temporary freedom and allowed to participate in the festivities.
Saturnalia and its celebrations are the sources of many of the traditions we now associate with Christmas. On the Julian calendar, which the Romans used at the time, the winter solstice always fell on December 25th. Today we use the Gregorian calendar and so our solstice dates change from year to year.
Some today celebrate Christmas as the birth date of Jesus however the precise origin of assigning December 25th as the birth date is unclear and the bible does not specify a date.
Early Christians used the timing of Saturnalia and its popularity with the masses to help promote their own celebrations Advent and Christmas. During this timeframe in history, pagans and the early Christians lived side by side in a power struggle of faiths.
Eventually, Christianity won and became Rome’s official religion, but many of the traditions of Saturnalia remain. For those that celebrate this time of year, it’s important to appreciate its ancient origins that are deeply rooted in agriculture and the earth.
The winter solstice and the entire winter season is, and always has been, a celebration of the people regardless of beliefs. It truly is a testament to the power of the symbolism during the darkest time of the year.