December 5 - The Festival of Faunus.

Sinterklaas is back in the country! For years, December 5th has been all about the good saint. Only did you know that this day is actually Faunus' day?

Here is a piece of history from Roman times:

In the ancient Roman calendar, each month had three special days: the Kalends, the Nones, and the Ides. The "Kalends" were the first day of each month. The "Nones" occurred at the beginning of the month. The word comes from the word "nine" and fell on the ninth day before the Ides of the month, which usually placed the Nones on the 5th, 6th, or 7th day of the month.

In ancient Rome, the "Nones of December", which fell on December 5, was the date of the Faunalia, the Festival of Faunus. According to Roman mythology, Faunus was the grandson of the god Saturn and was also the father of Latinus, who founded the Latin civilization in west-central Italy sometime around 1300 BC.

According to legend, Faunus was born as a very ordinary looking man, despite his descent from a god. Legend has it that he was both brave and wise, and built a temple to the Greek god Pan on the Palatine Hill (probably the reason why Pan and Faunus are often confused).

With the cold hand of winter approaching, people had to chop firewood to keep their homes warm. However, the forests were the home of Faunus, the half-man, half-goat protector of the forests and wild animals, and he did not take kindly to anyone damaging his home. Those foolish enough to enter his forests and chop down his trees without permission were almost certain to meet misfortune at his hairy hands.

Understandably, people needed firewood from Faunus' forests to keep their hearths burning through the winter. Faunus was also considered by shepherds to be a patron god of their flocks, and they had to appease him to ensure that their sheep and goats survived the winter. Therefore, sacrifices were offered to Faunus on December 5th to appease him and prevent his wrath. Incense was burned on altars, gifts of wine were poured out, and young goats were sacrificed

According to the ancient Roman poet Horace, December 5 was declared a public holiday on which no work would be observed.

Besides the feast of Faunus on December 5th, this rural spirit also had another festival dedicated to him on the Ides of February (February 13th), a nice topic for next time!

Now I don't want to spoil your evening of presents... But maybe you can also sing a song for Faunus or put some protein powder in your shoe.😜

Source: https://dinosaursandbarbarians.com/2021/12/02/december-5-the-festival-of-faunus/