Last Lights

Last Lights is the common name for the end of the year celebration, though it takes on various other regional and racial variations. This particular holiday is observed by numerous churches, particularly deities that are known for their celebrant and jovial outlooks and those that hold rites and rituals in high regard. Depending on the regional and religious influence, Last Lights can be either mirthful or somber.   For those who find joy in Last Lights it is a long and extensive celebration filled with dancing, gift giving, drinking and any other expression of joy and passion. These parties tend to go on for well over a day and sometimes for several days into the new year. In some places, entire cities grind to a halt for this holiday, where even basic governmental functions cease to operate while both civil servants and civilians dance and drink the nights away. It is customary (but sometimes forgotten in the revelry) to enter the New Year with no candles for fires lit, only to be suddenly illuminated at once to welcome the new year with warmth, light and excitment.   Where Last Lights take a more somber and solemn tone, the holiday is seen not as a party or celebration but as a sort of funeral for the passing year. One popular ritual involves the extinguishing of thirteen candles, one for every hour of the last day, until the final candle is ceremoniously cast down either a deep pit or well. If there is a river or body of water around, the final candle is thrown into that. In northern areas, this particular spectacle can be dangerous, as Last Light takes place in the dead of winter and celebrants now have no more light or heat at night where it can reach freezing temperatures. After a solemn moment of reflection of the previous year, and speculation of the next, a new candle is lit signaling the hope for a brighter, warmer, new year.