Colin
You place some interesting material on your mailing list. I have always wondered why we put our clocks back and forward in Autumn and spring, and who concocted the idea -now I know. I have an interest in how things and event began and have considered writing a book on the origins of annual events and festivities.
A couple of years ago I undertook a period of research about how Christmas came about. I know it has a Christian origin, but what about before Christ. My research revealed that there were festivities held in December by the Romans and by civilisations even before the Romans came onto the scene. In fact it goes way back in time where ancient people celebrated ending of the old year and the welcome of the new year. Many of the customs they practiced were carried through from one generation to the next and even into our current Christmas festivities. The Yule log and the exchanging of gifts are two such customs the ancients did.
The story of Santa Clause is a nice one too, which goes back to various origins across Europe and the USA that were eventually merged into the one we know of today.
The origins of Halloween is a fascinating one too, which began as a religious festival on 'all Hallow's Day' where people celebrated and remembered their dead ancestors. But as time moved on it started to take on mischievous elements and later moving into devilish acts and eventually becoming what we call it today - Halloween.
Its all very interesting stuff.
Ron.
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Good Clear Skies
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Astrocomet
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Colin James Watling
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Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)
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Web: http://lyra.freewebsites.com/
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