How to Observe Saturnalia

Saturnalia was a Roman holy day on which religious rites were performed to honor Saturnus, the god of seed and sowing. Saturnalia officially begins on December 17 and lasts for seven days, until December 23. Here is how you can observe this solstice celebration.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Greet everyone you know with the customary salutation, "Io, Saturnalia," pronounced "Yo," or "Bono, Saturnalia." The literal translation means, "Praise to Saturn."

2. Give wax candles as gifts to your family and friends. The light of the candles represents the returning light after the solstice.

3. Gamble in public. In ancient Rome during this week, restrictions were relaxed and the social order overturned in order to observe Saturnalia. Gambling was aloud in public places, and even slaves were allowed to use dice and take a day off from work.

4. Refrain from seriousness. During the week of Saturnalia, no one was allowed to conduct business. Drinking, noise, gambling and games were observed instead. Slaves feasted, and people sang naked in the streets while clapping their hands in frenzied celebration.

5. Decorate an outdoor tree, instead of bringing a tree inside. In ancient Rome people often observed Saturnalia by decorating outdoor trees with symbols of the sun and stars, they used swathes of greenery over windows and doors, and even on people.

6. Prepare a banquet feast and invite everyone you know. Eating, drinking and being merry are the best ways to observe Saturnalia. Often during this ancient Roman holiday slaves participated in the banquet, and the roles were reversed; masters served the slaves while the slaves feasted on rich foods they were denied for the rest of the year.