Thanksgiving, celebrated annually in the United States on the fourth Thursday of November, is often associated with the Pilgrims and the early settlers of America. However, there are arguments suggesting that there are pagan influences on this holiday. **While Thanksgiving is primarily seen as a Christian holiday, various pagan customs and traditions have been incorporated into its celebration over time.** One of the main pagan influences on Thanksgiving can be seen in the harvest celebrations that predate the official holiday. Many ancient cultures had harvest festivals to give thanks for a successful harvest and to honor the gods of fertility and agriculture. These pagan rituals often involved feasting, singing, dancing, and offering sacrifices to ensure bountiful crops in the following year.
In our own part of the world, among the early Aztecs of Mexico, the harvest took on a much more horrible aspect. Every year, a young girl - a representation of Xilonen, The goddess of the new corn - was beheaded. The Pawnees also sacrificed a girl. In a more temperate mood, some of the Native Americans in the southeast, danced the "Green Corn Dance" and began the new year at harvest's end. It was all designed around cyclical seasons and multi-celebrations every year.
The Holy Roman Universal Catholic Church took over the Pagan holiday and it became well established in England, where some of the Pagan customs and rituals for this day were observed long after the Roman Empire had fallen and had been absorbed into the church system. The Holy Roman Universal Catholic Church took over the Pagan holiday and it became well established in England, where some of the Pagan customs and rituals for this day were observed long after the Roman Empire had fallen and had been absorbed into the church system.
These pagan rituals often involved feasting, singing, dancing, and offering sacrifices to ensure bountiful crops in the following year. **It can be argued that the Pilgrims and early settlers adopted and adapted these pagan harvest traditions when establishing Thanksgiving as a holiday in America.** Another factor contributing to the pagan influences on Thanksgiving is the association with autumn and the changing of the seasons.
ORIGINS OF THANKSGIVING
The Pagans in ancient Rome celebrated their thanksgiving festivities in early October. The holiday was dedicated to the goddess of the harvest, Ceres, and the holiday was called Cerelia. The Holy Roman Universal (Catholic) Church took over the Pagan holiday and it became well established in England, where some of the Pagan customs and rituals for this day were observed long after the Roman Empire had fallen and had been absorbed into the church system. In England the "Harvest Home" has been observed continuously for centuries.
In our own part of the world, among the early Aztecs of Mexico, the harvest took on a much more horrible aspect. Every year, a young girl - a representation of Xilonen, The goddess of the new corn - was beheaded. The Pawnees also sacrificed a girl. In a more temperate mood, some of the Native Americans in the southeast, danced the "Green Corn Dance" and began the new year at harvest's end. It was all designed around cyclical seasons and multi-celebrations every year.
No wonder the Native Americans and the Pilgrim Fathers felt right at home on that big day in 1621. Obviously, the idea for this first Thanksgiving in the New World was not an original concept. On the contrary Thanksgiving, in the guise of the Pagan harvest festivals, can be traced all the way back to ancient Babylon and the worship of Semiramis. But, that's for another article.
No matter it's roots or beginnings, this is a time to gather with family and friends and unite in a state of thanksgiving . being thankful for all that we have. A vast number of the world's population lives a troubled existence. They are hungry, poor, homeless, ill, and without work or shelter. It's a time when we can be both a human being, and a human giving. Help others when you can. The younger we are, the less we have. And I have found that the older I get, the less I need. Be forgiving, be loving, be tolerant, be understanding, and . be thankful for everything . even the bad times. Because if it were not for the bad times, we would have no comprehension of the good times. The same central nervous system that brings pain, is the same system that brings pleasure. We must have both. It is Universal Law and Polarity.
~Justin Taylor, ORDM., OCP., DM.
The Pagans in ancient Rome celebrated their thanksgiving festivities in early October. The holiday was dedicated to the goddess of the harvest, Ceres, and the holiday was called Cerelia. The Holy Roman Universal (Catholic) Church took over the Pagan holiday and it became well established in England, where some of the Pagan customs and rituals for this day were observed long after the Roman Empire had fallen and had been absorbed into the church system. In England the "Harvest Home" has been observed continuously for centuries.
The autumnal equinox, a pagan festival, is a time when day and night are of equal length and marks the transition from summer to winter. **Thanksgiving, occurring in late November, aligns with this time of year, and the focus on gratitude and abundance during the holiday may have pagan undertones related to the changing seasons.** Additionally, the use of symbols and images in Thanksgiving decorations can be traced back to pagan traditions. Cornucopias, also known as the "horn of plenty," were originally a symbol of abundance and fertility in ancient Greece and Rome, associated with the goddess of agriculture. This symbolism of abundance and gratitude is still prevalent in Thanksgiving decorations today. **The presence of pagan symbols in Thanksgiving displays further highlights the pagan influences on the holiday.** In conclusion, despite its Christian and historical associations, Thanksgiving has incorporated various pagan influences throughout its development. From the harvest traditions to the association with autumn and the use of pagan symbols, these elements contribute to the rich tapestry that is Thanksgiving. **While Thanksgiving may primarily be viewed as a Christian holiday of gratitude, its pagan influences cannot be overlooked.**.
Reviews for "Tracing the History of Pagan Festivals and Their Impact on Thanksgiving"
1. Emily - 1 star -
I was really disappointed in this article. I was hoping for an objective analysis of the pagan influences on Thanksgiving, but instead, it was filled with biased arguments and unsupported claims. The author seemed more interested in proving their own point rather than presenting a fair and balanced view. It left me with more questions than answers and ultimately felt like a waste of time.
2. John - 2 stars -
As someone who is genuinely interested in the historical origins of holidays, I was intrigued by the title of this article. However, I found the content to be quite lacking. The author briefly mentioned the pagan influences but failed to provide any substantial evidence or scholarly references to back up their claims. It felt more like an opinion piece rather than a well-researched article. Overall, I was left unsatisfied and with a sense of skepticism towards the author's arguments.
3. Sarah - 1 star -
I was really hoping to learn something new about the pagan influences on Thanksgiving, but this article failed to deliver. It mainly consisted of surface-level information that has been widely discussed before. There were no new insights or perspectives provided. Additionally, the author seemed to dismiss any opposing viewpoints without providing a strong counterargument. I expected a more thorough and thought-provoking analysis, but this article fell short.