Shabé Yalda

The Parsan celebrations for the Winter Solstice. In a world that has for several millenia been frozen over, this holiday that celebrates the return of light is one of the most important. While the roots of this celebrattion can be traced back as far as the many intelligent species can trace, its contemporary expression is deeply rooted in the origins of The Quieting. Few remember today, but it was the swallowing of the sun, and the long and terrible darkness, that led to collapse of the Parsan Empire. In order to keep the world from being consumed by cold, dark death forever, the Parsans gave their prayers and their very souls to imprison the Night Serpent in another realm, knowing they. too, would be trapped in that bleak land. Their act of sacrifice freed the sun and allowed Mithra, god of the rising sun, to be reborn.

On this day, whether rich or poor, urban or royal, all those who descend from the ancient Parsan Empire create altars of fruits and offerings, have feasts, eat pomegranates (the most important winter fruit), and read inspiring poetry about the feats of Parsan Heros and their philosophies of love and pleasure.
People stay up the entirety of the night, to great the sun which, in many regions of Parsa, doesn't rise until mid-morning because it is so far North. This is the night to celebrate the victory of light over darkness. As such Mithra is the focus of reverence, prayers, and exaltation. His deeds in leading the Beneficial Immortals to victory over the forces of darkness and undeath are exalted. Additionally, no Parsan celebration is complete without an appreciation of fire. Candles are lit, and fire is kept burning all night, as Azar, goddess of fire and the arcane, keeps watch over her gentle children through the darkest, most fierce part of the year.