![]() The important thing is that the sun is the life-giver, as virile as a bull, and represented by a god called Mithra. The light was the light of some god named Ahura Mazda and the darkness was a demon named Ahriman, and the two forever contend for dominance. A centurion told me that the Persians had a crazy old prophet named Zoroaster who preached there were two forces in the cosmos: light and darkness, good and evil. They say it's to celebrate some god from Persia, a good warrior god who is probably just another guise of Apollo. Our brave soldiers have their own big feast at this time. What better reason for a feast do you want? The deep midwinter is coming, and not everyone will make it through to spring. The offal is minced for sausages, puddings, and pies. Animals that they don’t want to keep through the winter are slaughtered and smoked, salted, dried, or roasted. Barbarians aren't stupid, you know. The cider that was put by in October has developed into a pretty decent tipple, and there are other potent beverages as well. I talked to one barbarian who told me they didn't really believe the sun would go out, but it was a fine excuse for a good party. The barbarians in Trans-Alpine Gaul believe that the sun is going away, and so they encourage it to come back by lighting bonfires and holding great feasts with much singing and drinking and wenching. ![]() Their ideas about how they ought to govern themselves are ridiculous, but I'll say this for them, they're an educated people.Įverybody in the Empire has a holiday to mark the Winter Solstice. The Greeks themselves say it was from somebody from even further back: Pythagorus or Aristotle. We know this because of a Greek named Eratosthenes who lived long ago. In a few short days, the Northern Hemisphere will be at its furthest angle from the sun. Here’s an oldie but goodie I’ve dusted off and tuned up a bit. It’s a very busy weekend, and I just don’t have the time to compose a Sermonette.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |