The Festival of Lights, also known as Diwali, is an ancient Hindu festival celebrated in many parts of the world. It is observed in the Hindu month of Kartika (October/November) and marks the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Diwali is a time of great joy and excitement for Hindus who make elaborate preparations to welcome the festival. The main highlight of Diwali is the lighting of oil lamps and candles, which symbolize the victory of light over darkness. People decorate their homes with lights and colorful rangoli patterns to create a festive atmosphere. Aside from its religious significance, Diwali is also a time for socializing and exchanging gifts, especially among family and friends.
Yuletide celebrations have always been focused on light and fire. The birth, or rebirth, of the God of Light (Oak King/Green Man) is celebrated with candles and the burning of a Yule log. Other practices that mirror the Christmas traditions we’re familiar with are the bringing of fir trees, branches, holly, mistletoe, and ivy into our homes. These symbolize that the green of spring and summer will return as the sun strengthens and days lengthen. Wreaths, symbolizing Frigga’s wheel of fate, are woven. Red, green, white and gold are Yule colors that we have transferred to Christmas. The exchange of gifts, the decoration of our homes, the preparation of special foods, and the performance of special songs and rituals have also become part of both traditions.
The exchange of gifts, the decoration of our homes, the preparation of special foods, and the performance of special songs and rituals have also become part of both traditions. 12 2 Lunch and shopping 2 3 30 Workshops 3 45 5 15 Workshops 7 00 8 00 Feast Merchant room closed 8 00 11 30 Stag King s Masque Midwinter Ritual and Masquerade Dance.
Aside from its religious significance, Diwali is also a time for socializing and exchanging gifts, especially among family and friends. It is common for people to visit each other's homes, meet their loved ones, and celebrate together. Furthermore, Diwali is not only celebrated by Hindus but also by followers of other religions such as Sikhs and Jains.
Was Christmas originally a pagan festival?
In a society where Christmas has become secularised and commercialised, Christians are struggling to maintain the Christian aspect of the festival. But this isn’t the only threat to a Christian view of Christmas. In recent years there’s been a resurgence in people claiming Christmas is entirely pagan in origin. This has coincided with the actions of the current generation of pagans and druids who are re-establishing their cycle of festivals in the calendar.
So where does the truth lie?
The celebration of Christmas was actually banned in 1647 during the Puritan Commonwealth period in England. It was seen as pagan, popish, wasteful and immoral. Even in America, the melting pot of many of the current secular aspects of Christmas, the feast was frowned upon in the early years of the colony.
Each cultural group across the ages has had its own series of festivals and feasts bringing people together. These have been based on beliefs, specific calendars, understanding of the seasons and the astronomical cycle, combined with special events and anniversaries. Initially, these were localised to their tribes, regions or ethnic groups and over time spread to wider faith groups, nations and empires.
Some of the symbols of these separate festivities will inevitably coincide with each other - the use of fire in the winter months for light and heat or evergreen plants following the autumnal leaf fall for colour and reminder of life returning in the spring.
The people of Israel were given feasts at different times of the year to bring them together to remember the consistency of God and what he had done for them, and many of these coincide with or developed into Christian feasts. Their winter festival Hanukkah, ‘Festival of Lights’, was instituted following the re-dedication of the temple in Jerusalem in 165 BC.
Each community has its own unique way of celebrating Diwali, but the underlying theme of spreading joy and happiness remains the same. Although Diwali is predominantly a Hindu festival, its origin can be traced back to ancient pagan traditions. The Festival of Lights is believed to have originated from the pagan festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. During Samhain, people lit bonfires to ward off evil spirits and to welcome the winter season. Over time, as Hinduism developed, the festival of Samhain incorporated elements of Hindu mythology and became Diwali. In conclusion, the Festival of Lights, or Diwali, is a significant Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It is a time of joy, celebration, and the exchange of gifts. Although it has its roots in pagan traditions, Diwali has evolved into a major religious and cultural event celebrated by millions of people around the world..
Reviews for "The Power of Light: Exploring the pagan Symbolism in the Festival of Lights"
1. Sarah - 1 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed with the Festival of Lights Pagan event. As someone who practices paganism, I expected more authenticity and reverence for our traditions. Instead, it felt like a commercialized and watered-down version of what should have been a meaningful celebration. The organizers seemed more interested in making money than in honoring the true spirit of paganism. I left feeling disheartened and will not be attending again.
2. Mike - 2 out of 5 stars - I went to the Festival of Lights Pagan event with high hopes, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. While the decorations were beautiful and there were some interesting workshops and performances, the overall vibe of the event felt commercial and superficial. I wanted a deeper connection to my spiritual beliefs, but instead, I left feeling like I had been to a generic tourist attraction. I hope in the future, they focus more on the authenticity and essence of paganism rather than just the surface-level spectacle.
3. Jennifer - 1 out of 5 stars - Festival of Lights Pagan was a complete disappointment for me. The event felt like a mishmash of random pagan themes thrown together without any real understanding or respect for the underlying belief systems. It seemed like the organizers were more interested in creating an Instagram-worthy experience than in hosting an authentic pagan gathering. The lack of knowledgeable presenters and the commercial aspects of the event left me feeling like it was all just a money-making scheme. I won't be returning next year.