It also represents the gift of intellectual illumination and the capacity to distinguish between right and wrong. In popular tradition, gifts representing viveka are often given, also strengthening the selfless charity the season is meant to evoke. The festival of Chaomos is a pre-Christian tradition of Pakistan. During the winter solstice, an ancient demigod is said to return to collect prayers to take to Dezao, the supreme being. During this festival women and girls take purifying baths.
Men pour water over their heads as they hold up bread.
Then the men and boys must also take a purifying bath. Following the purification ceremonies, the feasting begins, complete with singing, dancing and bonfires. The festival frequently lasts several days. Asatru, a religion once encompassing most of northern Europe, has recently witnessed a modest revival, and as we discover more texts describing the practices it has become clear how many of our modern traditions hail from this system. The most important feast day in this tradition is the twelve day festival of Yule.