jess

Razib: ROTF

Jon: Rants (on topic ) are welcomed here.

Not only was Mithras born at Midnight on Dec 24/25, But the 25 does start the Saturnalia--- two seperate feasts--- one open to all, one open only to the cult of Mithras, which could possibly have had some christian influencesa, eventually.

It is believed that the 25 was the equinox, before the church moved the calendar, and the people celeberated it when the equinox actually occurred, until they became dependant on calendars for the date.

There should be no set date for pagan celebrations, as they are mostly land and season based...

diana

Hi, Jess. In reference to your comment that "It is believed that the 25 was the equinox, before the church moved the calendar, and the people celeberated it when the equinox actually occurred, until they became dependant on calendars for the date":

I hadn't heard that theory. Interesting.

I had heard that the sun reaches its lowest "high" point on the horizon on winter solstice (21 or 22 Dec), and it takes three days before it apparently is climbing in the sky again. Hence, the sun's "rebirth."

It's all hearsay to me, however. I'm neither astronomer or astrologer, either of which would be familiar with this phenomenon.

d

Amos

So there you go diana, now you know that the sun is reborn every year because astronomers and astrologers have decided that that is how it is.

That calender move was done just to confuse the experts and worked until Jess came around.

diana

Every once in a while, Amos, you say something amusing that I think you actually meant that way. Good job!

d

Amos

What I like about you diana is that you never surrender!

jess

glad I could be of help (?)

emphryio

Wouldn't it be interesting if people such as ourselves made our own new holiday? We could celebrate it on Dec 25 and exchange presents on that day. Maybe decorate a tree and celebrate the wonder of life. (Although it would be nice to not kill the tree, maybe get a Norfolk pine like I have in a pot(six feet tall)). Christmas without all the Christianity. That might make some people mad though to celebrate it on Christmas but it would be rather convenient.
Actually, we've all basically done this already except we haven't named this holiday of ours? Any suggestions for a name?

Amos

That would be a good idea! Just call it "pagan daze." Add some figures and figurines and you would have something to sing and paint about and would no longer need the lame excuse that art is difficult to create in our modern age because there is nothing to paint or sing about.

Prometevsberg

For a name of the celebration, what is wrong with yule?

Eudaimonist

Nothing. They call it that in Sweden.

Although, I celebrate Newtonmass. Isaac Newton's birthday is December 25th.

[ January 19, 2002: Message edited by: Eudaimonia ]</p>