Forgot to Add…
And Happy Rosh Hashanah, to those who celebrate the Jewish New Year. It is interesting to note, how close Rosh Hashanah comes to the Autumnal Equinox. This year, they are on the same date. It does show how the ancient Hebrews were tied into the seasons, the same as those dreaded Pagans. The autumn is the time of the harvest, signalling the end of the growing season, and really, the end of the year. Life ends and then is reborn. Pagans and wicca begin their celebration of the new year with the Autumnal equinox, which culminiates in Samhain about a month later–better known as Halloween.
I should add, as I have before, that many Christian holiday are really Christianized Pagan holidays. Easter is linked with the Vernal or Spring Equinox, and like those pagan festivals, is a time of rebirth, resurrection, beginning of life. There doesn’t seem to be any Christian holidays in the fall, to take the place of the celebration of Samhain and the Autumn equinox. I guess they figured creating Christmas was enough.