Today, 17 December, is Saturnalia - an ancient Roman festival celebrated in much the same way as we celebrate Christmas today. It was a time for feasting, drinking and merriment. People would exchange presents, have private parties at home and everyone got time off - even slaves.The idea of the Lord of Misrule is thought to originate in Saturnalia, as part of the day's fun and frolics involved the slaves having a banquet at which their masters served them food and they could boss their masters around for once.
People also played games - particularly gambling games - and liked to dress up in bright clothing and wear festive hats.
It was such a popular holiday that over the years it expanded to a whole week, up to 23 December.
So, Happy Saturnalia! although Romans would have said "io, Saturnalia!", meaning "Ho, praise to Saturn".
The picture shows a photographic print of the Roman banquet Saturnalia from Mary Evans
Links
http://pagancalendar.co.uk/event.php?zodiac=astrological&getdate=20101216&tz=America/Kentucky/Louisville&id=1086
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturnalia
Photographic Print of ROMAN BANQUET/SATURNALIA from Mary Evans
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