ROMAN SATURNALIA FOR MODERNS

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 "Who knows not of the Golden Age of the carefree King? When no man subdued fields to his will or sowed grain in them or fended harmful weeds from the crops, which were to come when plenteous harvest filled the barns to last the year.” (Anonymous, Aenta)

 

Saturnalia, the most popular of Roman festivals, is a time of good feeling, gift giving and celebrating the returning sun. Lasting for seven days from 17 December to 24, this festival is wildly celebrated. People visit, feast, play games, and gamble. Normal restrictions of society are cast off, and drunkenness is encouraged.

 

The first day opens with the unwrapping of Saturn’s feet. In Ancient Rome, Saturn watched over the treasury. His feet was wrapped in woolen bands to prevent Him from leaving. If Saturn left, so did the treasury. (I use yarn for my Saturn’s feet.)

 

I make a morning sacrifice of pork. Later, I share a meal with Saturn in friendship. After shouting, “Io Saturnalia!,” I begin to celebrate. The second day opens with a bath. (Romans clean themselves before rituals.) The pork is offered this time to the family Lars for helping the household. We also share a meal with Them.

 

Later in the day, we play games such as Hearts. For the thrill of it all, we also buy lottery tickets. Over the next few days, we visit friends and have feasts. This goes with giving candles and other small gifts to each other. On the last day, Saturn’s feet is bound, and Saturnalia is official over for another year.

 

Traditional decorations include garlands and wreaths. Houses are decorated red and gold, with hanging cutouts of suns, stars, and the faces of Janus. Outdoors, trees are decorated with food for the birds.

 

For traditional Roman foods, we feature pickled eggs and beets. Romans loved apples, so we serve them. For seasoning, peppercorns are heavily used in cooking the meals.

 

“Saturnus, our most sacred Father

By offering You, this incense

I pray good prayers so

That You be benevolent and propitious

To my friends, to me, to my household, and

To my family.”

(Cn. Cornelius Lentulus (Nova Roma))