Albedo Day
"Albedo" (al-be-do)
Albedo is a Late Latin word to describe a color, white, derived from albus, Indo-European roots. That root gave us many "whiteness" words, including these: albino: person or animal lacking pigment album: originally, an autograph book albite: white variety of the mineral feldspar albumen: the white of an egg albescent: becoming white or whitish aubade: music about the breaking of day auburn: reddish brown, from Old French aborne (blond)
It is also defined as the fraction of incident electromagnetic radiation reflected by a surface, especially of a celestial body. Example: "The Earth's overall albedo is higher during winter in the northern hemisphere, when so much ground is covered with snow." To know more about this particular meaning as it is rather comprehensive go here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albedo
It also is used to describe the spongy white tissue on the inside of the rind of citrus fruit, such as an orange for example. This will be elaborated on more later in this article.
Nigredo (ne-gre-do)
Nigredo, a Latin word meaning 'black' or 'blackness'. In alchemy means putrefaction or decomposition. The alchemists believed that as a first step in the pathway to the philosopher's stone all alchemical ingredients had to be cleansed and cooked extensively to a uniform black matter. In psychology, Carl Jung interpreted nigredo as a moment of maximum despair, that is a prerequisite to personal development.
Citrinitas (Cit`ri`na´tion)
Citrinitas, sometimes referred to as xanthosis, is a term given by 15th- and 16th-century alchemists to "yellowness". It was one of the four major stages of the alchemical opus, and literally referred to "transmutation of silver into gold" or "yellowing of the lunar consciousness". In alchemical philosophy, citrinitas stood for the dawning of the "solar light" inherent in one's being, and that the reflective "lunar or soul light" was no longer necessary. Psychologist Carl Jung is credited with interpreting the pseudo-scientific alchemical process as analogous to modern-day psychoanalysis. In the Jungian archetypal schema, nigredo is the Shadow; albedo refers to the anima/animus (contrasexual soul images); citrinitas is the wise old man (or woman) archetype. You can read more here if desired. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citrus
Rubedo (ro͞o-bē'dō)
Rubedo is a word from 15th and 16th century Latin to describe the color 'red' or a 'redness'. In medical terms it describes a temporary redness of the skin. Another definition is a unification of man with god, unification of the limited with the unlimited. Rubedo is a Latin word meaning "redness" that was adopted by 15th and 16th century alchemists to define the fourth major stage in the "alchemical opus" in achieving enlightened consciousness and the total fusion of spirit and matter. The three alchemical stages preceding rubedo were nigredo (blackness) which represented purification and spiritual death, albedo (whiteness) which represented purification, and thirdly citrinitas (yellowness); the solar dawn or awakening. In the framework of psychological development (especially followers of Jungian psychology) these four alchemical steps are be taken as analogous to the process of attaining individuation: In an archetypal schema, rubedo would represent the Self archetype, and would be the culmination of the four stages. The Self manifests itself in "wholeness", a point in which a person discovers his or her true nature. This article can be found here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubedo
Albedo Piazzolla (Voice Actor Crispin Freeman - English) is a character in Monolith Soft's RPG series Xenosaga and the main antagonist in Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht and Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Böse. He is U.R.T.V. Unit 667, and one of the few surviving U.R.T.V.s from the Miltian Conflict. Despite being mentally unstable, he is highly educated in a number of subjects, including but not limited to philosophy, science, language and religion, particularly ancient (in the Xenosaga universe) Christianity. He is also adept at complex strategic planning and anticipating his enemies' moves well in advance. His surname is rendered as "Piasora," while in Xenosaga Episode II it is listed as "Piazzolla" presumably a reference to Ástor Piazzolla, an Argentinian composer whose surname can also be transliterated as "Piasora, but is not confirmed.
Albedo Piazzolla's description would consist of white hair and characteristic traits that one in a state of Albedo would show. Albedo was created by Dimitri Yuriev as U.R.T.V. Unit 667, originally a conjoined twin with Unit 666, Rubedo. U.R.T.V. stands for U-DO Retro Virus, and are bio-engineered weapons designed to fight against U-DO, a mysterious wave existence.
When Rubedo and Albedo were split, they both gained unique abilities, both rooting from the same concept, being cell manipulation. Rubedo gained the ability to control his body's aging, while Albedo could regenerate lost limbs, making him virtually immortal.
Albedo was high-strung and fearful as a child. He clung to Rubedo for protection, and lashed out violently against anyone who attacked Rubedo, once even going so far as to injure and nearly kill a fellow U.R.T.V., Number 623. He did not show any remorse afterwards, indicating his developing sociopath that would manifest in his later life. He also treated the other "normal" U.R.T.V.s as inferiors, and did not see them as actual people like the way he saw Rubedo and Nigredo.
He was devastated when he learned that Rubedo and Nigredo were not immortal, Nigredo being as vulnerable to aging and injury as any normal human, and Rubedo, despite being capable of stopping his own aging, was still susceptible to death by injury. The thought of living forever, all alone, without Rubedo to protect him, made him extremely sad and scared. This caused him to become mentally unstable, and he made a new hobby out of digging practice graves for Rubedo and Nigredo, as to not cry when they really died. To read more about Albedos history go here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albedo_(Xenosaga)
How Albedo Day Came To Exist
Albedo Piazzolla quoted in Xenosaga Episode II Jenseits von Gut und Böse
"Who knows? Perhaps I'll cause a shift and push this whole dimension into a high-order domain. Don't be afraid: We low-dimension creatures will move en masse to a higher plane! It'll be glorious! The true eternal chain! The fulfillment of that which we lacked! The evolution of mankind, and the evolution of the very world itself that watches over us! Happy days are here! They'll name a holiday after me! That is, assuming they even have the concept of holidays on the other side!"
The date of Albedo Day was established by his unit number 667, June 7th being 06/7/YYYY. Albedo Day was created by yours truly, (HeroVictimVillain/Shizukesa_Uzuki (Note I do not claim any ownership over the characters,logos or any oter such works with in the Xenosaga series. I only claim my self to be he inventor of the holiday Albedo Day simply for fans of the series & nothing else.)) as a huge fan of the Xenosaga series, still wishing it had been a six series game instead of a mere three like Namco originally promised us fans. However the second installment of the series Xenosaga II did not make the prosperity it had hoped for thus reducing the series down to a three rather than six. Ironically enough after Episode III had been released majority of the game fans developed a greater likening to Episode II due to the events that took place in Episode III. I myself was one of them, however I still love Episode I a great deal as well.
The idea for Albedo Day obviously came from the quote in Episode II. Long I had awaited for someone to create a holiday based on his quote but a few years passed & nothing was ever developed. However I did see many participants on Deviantart.com who created their own countdown to the release date of Episodes I and II. I was rather intrigued by this. I sought out other fans of there series as most forums & message boards are no longer in use, making it hard to unite with other fans. The closest I can come to finding other Xenosaga fans is through Deviantart.com so you could say the idea originated from there, though Im not sure if I will be staying on that site or not. The nerve endings in my brain fired rapidly as the creation of Albedo Day filled me with excitement! We shall unite again!
How Albedo Day Is Celebrated
Assuming you have read the definitions of Albedo listed in the beginning of this article, I will get directly to it. Albedo Day is celebrated by wearing Xenosaga cosplay, Albedo cosplay is proffered, but not limited to. If in the event you do not have any Xenosaga cosplay you may wear all white clothing of any style you wish.
When it comes to eating good food is always a delight! Its traditional to eat meals consisting of a white sauce such as Alfredo, Biscuits and Gravy, Country Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes and White Gravy, among many other dishes. Cultures may vary in the individuals taste.
Remember the definition for citrus fruits, you may also adorn your table with decorative fruit bowls consisting of oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, passion fruit as well as many others. These are the most common & most popular fruits in America. To see more fruits go here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citrus Just be sure the fruit you choose has a spongy white tissue on the inside of the rind of citrus fruit. Drinks & juices made of these fruits may be desired as well such as Lemonade or Orange Juice for examples.
A meal is not complete without a desert! The same rules may apply to your treats such as Rice Pudding or Tapioca. However Its more traditional to eat something such as Sherbet or Neapolitan, because the simple fact is Neapolitan, being the first choice consists of three colors, white (Vanilla), red (Strawberry), and brown (Chocolate), which could be passable as Albedo, Rubedo & Nigerdo!
Decorations should consist of mainly white but a few splashes of red, black, & yellow are acceptable was well to holding a children’s party to celebrate Albedo Day.
June Is U.R.T.V. Month
June is not just a celebration of Albdeo Day but it is also celebrated in honor of the U.R.T.V.'s them selves, which is why the colors of red, black & yellow are also acceptable during the celebration of Albedo Day. However be sure to make white your main color & coordinate other colors around it. It is also customary to create art for this day. It may be of any style or medium you wish.