The Saturnalia Finale: Sigillaria
Saturnalia is believed to have been one of the most important yearly celebrations for the Ancient Romans. It was a celebration honoring the Roman God Saturn that originally took place on one day but was later expanded into a weeklong series of celebrations. Sources differ about which date in the modern Gregorian calendar most closely aligns with the final date of Saturnalia, with sources placing it between December 23rd - 25th.
A notable tradition for the final day of Saturnalia was the practice of giving small but meaningful gifts to loved ones.
On the last day of Saturnalia celebrations, known as the Sigillaria, many Romans gave their friends and loved ones small terracotta figurines known as signillaria, which may have referred back to older celebrations involving human sacrifice.
Saturnalia was by far the jolliest Roman holiday; the Roman poet Catullus famously described it as “the best of times.” So riotous were the festivities that the Roman author Pliny reportedly built a soundproof room so that he could work during the raucous celebrations.
From History: Saturnalia
Jolabokaflod
Today is a day of giving - especially the gifts of knowledge, magic, and wonder! Today is the holiday Jolabokaflod (meaning “Christmas book flood”), the Icelandic tradition of giving books on December 24th.
Ever since 1944, the Icelandic book trade has sent out a book bulletin to each household in the middle of November when the Reykjavik Book Fair happens. People use this catalogue to order books to give to their friends and family on Christmas Eve, the main gift-giving day in Iceland. After all the presents are open, everyone grabs a cup of hot chocolate and cozies up to spend the rest of the evening reading their books.
From Country Living: What is Jolabokaflod?
Day of Gifts
Iceland isn’t the only country who dedicates December 24th as the day to give presents. Many places across Europe dedicate Christmas Eve as the main gift-giving occasion.
In several European nations, Christmas Eve is the time for family and friends to exchange gifts. Countries such as Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, and Switzerland celebrate this tradition, where presents are often opened after a festive meal or Midnight Mass.
From Europe Study: European Christmas Eve Traditions
In some countries, the gift-giving extends to food with a tradition of lavish meals shared with the family - such as the Wigilia feast in Poland.
Wigilia is the Polish name for the main meal eaten on Christmas Eve. At this meal there are traditionally 12 dishes served, though the dishes vary between region and family. It is important to at least take a bite of each one as it is expected to bring luck for the next 12 months.
From Key to Poland: 13 Wigilia Traditions
Night of Animals Talking
Have you heard the folk legend of animals being able to talk on Christmas Eve? In Europe, a popular holiday tale is that animals become magically able to communicate on Christmas Eve. Christian variations of the tale attribute the birth of Jesus to the temporary miracle of animals speaking, while other variations claim that the tale has pagan roots.
On Christmas Eve, David visits his grandparents’ stables, where he asks his grandfather if the animals will talk that evening. This is not just an innocent child’s question, it is in fact an old belief from our pagan folk forefathers. They believed that during Christmas Eve, the most magical of all evenings, animals would be given the gift of speech, however it was bad luck to listen in on their conversations. Traditionally, after the Christmas Eve meal, the family members would go carol for their animals. This was their way of paying their respects for the animals that helped them work the land, ensuring a prosperous year ahead.
From Postcard Poland: Pagan Polish Christmas Eve Traditions
Keep an ear open tonight for any whispers, but pay heed that eavesdropping is bad luck! If you’re willing to risk it, casting a communication spell may help your fluffy friends find their voices. Alternatively, let them speak or be silent in peace - you might consider casting pet protection or blessings spells instead.
Want to celebrate? Here are a few spells and other ways to honor the energies of the day.
Spell for Christmas Eve
On Christmas eve, you can reconnect with some of the Pagan imagery associated with this time of year. Santa Claus is really a red-robed shaman who works with reindeer medicine and can fly through the night. He brings gifts by sneaking through your chimney in the middle of the night, but his true gift is the gift of transformation, of bringing love and cheer to a time of darkness and coldness. Honor Santa by leaving a few cookies out on a plate tonight. If you have a chimney, leave them near the hearth. You can also honor Santa by giving magical gifts that honor each one of your loved ones. Gifts that matter are gifts that come from the heart, and that bring love, joy, and healing. When you are wrapping your gifts, intend the best for the recipient, and say a small prayer:
Goddess, bless this gift I give. May it bring joy and love to my loved one.
From Llewellyn: Spell for Christmas Eve by Jonathan Keyes
TWELVE NIGHTS OF YULE COUNTDOWN:
0. Intro and History of the Twelve Nights
1. Mother’s Night and The Longest Night (Dec 20)
2. The Winter Solstice and The Wild Hunt (Dec 21)
3. Day of Light & Reflections, Sacred to Ancestors (Dec 22)
4. Day of Family, Sacred to All-Father Odin (Dec 23)
5. Day of Gifts & Miracles, Jolabokaflod, Night of Animals Talking (Dec 24)
6. Day of Hearth & Home, Sol Invictus, Rauhnächte Begins, Sacred to Frigg (Dec 25)
7. Day of Cleansing (Dec 26)
8. Day of Snow, Sacred to Deities of Winter, Skadi & Ullr (Dec 27)
9. Day of Preparation (Dec 28)
10. Day of Community (Dec 29)
11. Day of Mischief, Sacred to Tricksters (Dec 30)
12. Oath Night, Twelfth Night, Day of Wassailing, Gregorian New Year’s Eve (Dec 31)