Saturnalia Celebration ~ A Feast and a Film

Name: Saturnalia Celebration ~ A Feast and a Film
Start: 2024-12-18T18:00:00-07:00
End: 2024-12-18T23:30:00-07:00
Location: Sandy, Utah

Schedule

Wed Dec 18 2024 at 06:00 pm to 11:30 pm

UTC-07:00

Location

Sandy, Utah | Sandy, UT

You're invited to a Saturnalia Feast Celebration.
Saturnalia was a Roman festival celebrated in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture and time. It typically took place in December, around the time of the winter solstice, and lasted for several days. The festival was marked by a spirit of revelry, merriment, and a temporary overturning of social norms.
The origins of Saturnalia trace back to ancient Rome, where it was initially associated with the agricultural cycle and the sowing of winter crops. Saturn, often depicted with a sickle, was revered as the god who presided over the golden age of abundance and prosperity. According to Roman mythology, Saturn introduced agriculture to humanity, teaching them how to cultivate the land and reap its bountiful harvests.
The festival itself evolved over time and incorporated various elements from other Roman and Greek celebrations. As the Roman Empire expanded and diversified, Saturnalia became a prominent and widely celebrated festival, characterized by its exuberant and inclusive nature.
During Saturnalia, a festive atmosphere enveloped Rome. Public gatherings, feasts, and processions filled the streets. Temples were adorned, and homes were decorated with greenery, such as laurel wreaths and evergreen boughs, symbolizing the renewal of life and the hope for a fruitful year ahead.
One of the most notable aspects of Saturnalia was the temporary suspension of social hierarchies. Masters and slaves would exchange roles, with slaves being served by their masters. This reversal of roles was a symbolic gesture of equality and a reminder of the fleeting nature of power and privilege. It created a sense of camaraderie and unity among people from all walks of life.
Gift-giving was another significant tradition during Saturnalia. People exchanged tokens of goodwill, such as candles, small figurines, and edibles. These gifts were often given with a spirit of generosity and the hope for mutual prosperity.
So let us come together and relax into the final breath of the season. As the sun readies to wake again. We'll spark up a fire, tell stories of old. sing, dance, feast and create.
WHAT TO BRING: Please bring your favorite main dish or side dish to share- fun drinks and holiday cheer.
(we do have a celiac issue amongst the group, so let's try to keep the foods separate) We will have separate counters and utensils to keep everyone safe.
GIFTING: This is a white elephant traditional gathering. Please bring a small, wrapped gift for the giving tree. And hang out to receive your gift or donate your white elephant to the next round of solstice spinners. This gift can also be shared in the form of a reading, performance, poem, snack, craft, or small gift should you feel is best.
WHAT TO WEAR: White, Green and Gold are the typical colors to wear for Saturnalia, Wed love for all to dress up, but you are welcome to wear anything that makes you feel good.
FAMILY FRIENDLY - All are welcome to stop in, hang, feast, spin anytime from 5pm-9pm
We look forward to seeing you all and celebrating some of our favorite traditions and ancient rituals with you all. Excited to hear about some of yours. Merry meet and Blessed holidays to you all. May the light of the returning sun bring you joy and warmth this Solstice season.
FILM - We'll be attending a movie after dinner. As the date grows near, we will post information about movie title, time, and tickets.