Although Pan was not considered to be a god of vegetation, he none the less represents another facet of fertility. Fertility not only applies to the soil, but also to animals and humans. Pan was considered to be a god of procreation. We must remember that OrishaOko was also a diety of fertility, not just in an agricultural sense. Pan is represented with horns, which are a phallic connotation. Above we see Pan with Psyche. This is to remind us also that OrishaOko also had his amorous adventures. If you will remember, OrishaOko had his relations with Yemaya, when she was getting the secrets of the cultivation of ~names. It is said that there are ceremonies for OrishaOko in Africa where there is general licenciousness and this corresponds to undisciplined sexual urges represented by Pan. It is also said that in Africa there is a secret society of women dedicated to OrishaOko who know certain secrets of insuring fertility, as in the case of barren women. Remember that in the earliest times, fertility of animals and indeed of the human race were necessary for survival.
Faunus was the Roman equivalent of Pan. His free-loving aspect was not so much emphasized with the Romans who regarded him more as a vegetation god. He was also concerned with the fertility of animals. He also has the horns and feet of a goat, like Pan, to represent his connection with the animal kingdom. Both Pan and Faunus seem to be more connected with vegetative life in the woods, rather than in a cultivated environment. However, both were reverenced by shephards who depended on the fertility of their flocks for survival.
Saturnus was the Roman god of the farmers. He was called the sower of seeds and farmers invoked his aid in sowing their fields. A festival was held in his honor every December 17th of each year. No work was done. It is said the the Christian church changed the birthdate of Jesus to celebrate Christmas at the same time, in order to have their celebration coincide at the same time. Actually, according to hisrtorical records, Jesus was actually born in the month of July. During the saturnalia, there were feasts and merry-making for seven days. It is even said that masters and slaves exchanged roles during this period. Candles were lit each night and thanks was given to the god of the harvest, Saturnus. Saturnus later became identified with the Greek god Cronos, and later the astral connotation with the planet Saturn was established.
