Travel with us

Travel with us

WINTER SOLSTICE IN GREECE, STORMS AND CELEBRATIONS

A new storm breaks out outside and we hear the sea roaring in the distance, Poseidon must have celebrated the solstice in style. Leneone is starting, the month between January and February that for the ancient Greeks was the heart of winter. The period of storms and cold winds, but also the time of conviviality. While waiting for the coffee to be ready, warm up with a read on our blog!

Leneon was in the Attic calendar the month between January and February considered the capricious heart of winter, the time of frosts and storms commanded by the god Poseidon. Anacreon in a fragment says: "the month of Poseidon has begun; there are clouds and water, and furious storms are coming down heavily". However, winter was also the season in which to spend time next to the fire, in a warm shelter. It was the time in which, unable to work outdoors, one had time to talk and tell stories comforted by the company of good friends and wine. In fact, Alcaeus writes: "Zeus makes it rain, a great storm comes from the sky, the currents of the rivers have frozen. Leave aside the bad weather outside, adding fire, mixing sweet wine without parsimony, and throw soft wool around the head". Things have not changed much with the passage of time and Kefalonia is no exception. Rain is abundant throughout the winter and every now and then the top of Mount Ainos is covered in white for the joy of the little ones, the cafes are full of people who philosophize for hours or simply watch time pass by after a summer of intense work. The celebration of winter is common to many ancient cultures and in most of them it is characterized by two activities linked to the sunset: producing light and giving in to debauchery thanks to the cover provided by darkness. In ancient Greece the celebrations of winter (Αλώα) were dedicated to Dimitra goddess of the fruits of the earth, to Dionysus god of wine and to Poseidon, god of the sea and one of the most lustful protagonists of Olympus. The celebrations were held at the end of the grape harvest and close to the winter solstice and the wine flowed in rivers, animal sacrifices were performed and fires were lit. Women played a fundamental role in the celebrations, which had a marked sexual component. Not only sweets with phallic symbols, but also licentious activities and rites conducted by priestesses. A true celebration of fertility and awaited rebirth.

 

Recommended readings:

https://www.jstor.org/stable/638331?mag=celebrating-solstice-the-ancient-greek-way&seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents

https://oubliettemagazine.com/2020/12/21/le-metier-de-la-critique-linverno-tra-neve-e-casa-un-excursus-nella-lirica-greca/a

Kefalonia Property - Travel Kefalonia - Kefalonia Property Management - Kefalonia Property Investments - Kefalonia Promotional Services - Kefalonia Travel Agency - Kefalonia Villas for Rent - Kefalonia Property for rent   Travel Guide Kefalonia - Travel Blog Kefalonia - Tourist Services Kefalonia - Tourist Guide Kefalonia - Kefalonia Accommodation - Kefalonia Villas - Kefalonia Travel Planners - Kefalonia Beaches & Attractions - Kefalonia Excursions & Activities - Kefalonia Holiday Rentals - Kefalonia Holidays   Kefalonia Property - Travel Kefalonia - Kefalonia Property Management - Kefalonia Property Investments - Kefalonia Promotional Services - Kefalonia Travel Agency - Kefalonia Villas for Rent - Kefalonia Property for rent   Travel Guide Kefalonia - Travel Blog Kefalonia - Tourist Services Kefalonia - Tourist Guide Kefalonia - Kefalonia Accommodation - Kefalonia Villas - Kefalonia Travel Planners - Kefalonia Beaches & Attractions - Kefalonia Excursions & Activities - Kefalonia Holiday Rentals - Kefalonia Holidays

logo

ITA  EL - ENG DE - ESP