Happy New Year 2014 News and Folklore, Spells, Rituals

Blessed Greetings

Happy New Year to My followers and friends

This is indeed a special year as you can see from the photo, we celebrate a new year with a new Moon and I am very excited.

I look forward to new things this year and a much better year than 2013, which I was personally excited to live through because not only was I born on the 13th day of December but 13 is a lucky number, however I am ready for an even better year this 2014.

Here are some spells, rituals and folklore and information about New Year's.

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13 New Year's Superstitions!

1. Eating black-eyed peas and greens, I remember this one the most from other years and I remember eating them. Eating them brings good luck and financial prosperity. You are to eat the peas with greens for prosperity. The peas represent good luck and the greens represent money.

2. Nothing goes out of the house, or you will be losing things during the upcoming year. Don’t take out the trash or food or anything, if your trash needs emptying, do it before midnight or on January 2nd. If you have food or anything to take somewhere on New Years day, have it outside or at their house already.

3. Kissing at midnight. Kiss someone dear to you at midnight, this will ensure affection for the next 12 months. If you happen to be alone at midnight, kissing the dog or cat would certainly work.

4. Don’t cry, don’t cry on New Years day, this could bring unhappiness for the next year. So don’t cry even if your favorite team loses in a bowl game. Be upbeat and happy as well.

5. Don’t wash clothes. The dirty clothes can wait until January 2nd. Some super-cautious won’t even wash the dishes on New Years day, I need to go and find the paper plates now.

6. No bare cupboards, fill up the cupboards before New Years day, otherwise that could be the way of the New Year.

7. Money, don’t lend money or precious items and don’t pay back loans either. To do so means you will be paying out money all year long. Also fill all of your wallets with money since that ensures prosperity for the New Year.

8. Open the doors at midnight as this will let out all the bad from the previous year. Now that’s an easy one to do unless its 30 below out, this will let out the bad before the good can come in on New Years day.

9. Loud noises, make some noise. This will scare away the evil spirits from entering your life in the next year. I like this one, it makes sense and it’s fun but you need to be careful though since too much loud noise and the cops might show up, and that might not be good for the New Year. Maybe just one yell and two firecrackers.

10. Don’t break anything, you should try very hard to not break anything, especially a mirror, as that could be doubly bad as breaking a mirror on any other day, so try not to break anything. And this is another good reason not to do the dishes on New Years Day.

11. Work, try and do something work related on New Years Day, just a token or small amount of work, if you do too much work related stuff, then it might not be so good. This one is only for those who have the day off, I wouldn’t think fireman and others would care for this superstition.

12. First person entering your home, this superstition is about how the first person who enters your home in the New Year will influence the year you’re about to have. Ideally this person should be tall, dark and good looking. This is a real superstition but I think it came out of an old Cosmo magazine article.

13. Which way the wind blows, there isn’t a lot we can do about the weather, but superstition holds that if the wind is out of the South there will be prosperous times ahead. The wind out of the East means famine and calamities and out of the North means a bad year for weather. A little odd but out of the West means plenty of milk and fish. Calm winds means a prosperous and joyful year for all, that’s just great since I just read there is a high wind warning for my area. 

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Wishing you good health, happiness and good cheer in the coming year!

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Creating A Fork In The Road

New Year, New Start

Author: Unknown

To many, the coming of a new year represents an opportunity to begin Again. It is a time to step off of dead-end paths in order to create a Fork in the road, disassociating from the old, and aligning with fresh Possibilities. Harnessing the power of this transformative energy is a Matter of truly believing that resolutions can conquer past patterns. If We believe we are capable of changing our lives, we are more apt to Believe that we are capable of leaving our mistakes behind. Our Dedication, which might otherwise falter, is buoyed by hope. Thus, the Beginning of the new year is traditionally a popular time to tackle Difficult tasks such as quitting smoking, losing weight, or fulfilling Worldly ambitions. But the transition from year to year can also be an Opportune occasion to pursue emotional, spiritual, and intellectual Growth because we no longer feel burdened by regret and disappointment. 

Whatever your reality, it is within your power to create the fork that Allows you to walk a more conscious, grounded path. Viewing the start of The coming year as a time of rebirth allows you to focus on what you Want to accomplish in the coming weeks, months, and years. Because you Are a new person-in other words, a clean slate-you are free to immerse Yourself in new experiences with impunity. If you feel a need to Reconnect with your spirituality, consider taking up yoga, meditation, Or another discipline that challenges both your mental and physical Selves. Fill your newly-cleansed mind with stimulating knowledge, Poignant wisdom, and useful skills. Clearing your home or workspace of Clutter can improve the flow of energy in your life, giving you the 

Momentum you need to stay true to your resolutions. And beginning a Fresh journal can be a wonderful way to celebrate these developing Aspects of your life. 

In the ancient Babylonian, Chinese, and Celtic traditions, the period Marking the transition from the old year to the new was viewed as a Struggle between chaos and order, in which order always prevailed. Your Belief that you, too, can banish chaos and integrate your dreams, Desires, and goals more fully into your life will give you the Determination and fortitude to change your life for the better.

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Happy New Year!

Author: Jerry Wilson

That greeting will be said and heard for at least the first couple of weeks as a new year gets under way. But the day celebrated as New Year's Day in modern America was not always January 1. 

ANCIENT NEW YEARS

The celebration of the new year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon (actually the first visible cresent) after the Vernal Equinox (first day of spring). The beginning of spring is a logical time to start a new year. After all, it is the season of rebirth, of planting new crops, and of blossoming. January 1, on the other hand, has no astronomical nor agricultural significance. It is purely arbitrary. The Babylonian new year celebration lasted for eleven days. Each day had its own particular mode of celebration, but it is safe to say that modern New Year's Eve festivities pale in comparison. The Romans continued to observe the new year in late March, but their calendar was continually tampered with by various emperors so that the calendar soon became out of synchronization with the sun. In order to set the calendar right, the

Roman senate, in 153 BC, declared January 1 to be the beginning of the new year. But tampering continued until Julius Caesar, in 46 BC, established what has come to be known as the Julian Calendar. It again established January 1 as the new year. But in order to synchronize the calendar with the sun, Caesar had to let the previous year drag on for 445 days. THE 

CHURCH'S VIEW OF NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS

Although in the first centuries AD the Romans continued celebrating the new year, the early Catholic Church condemned the festivities as paganism. But as Christianity became more widespread, the early church began having its own religious observances concurrently with many of the pagan celebrations, and New Year's Day was no different. New Years is still observed as the Feast of Christ's Circumcision by some denominations. 

During the Middle Ages, the Church remained opposed to celebrating New Years. January 1 has been celebrated as a holiday by Western nations for only about the past 400 years. 

NEW YEAR TRADITIONS

Other traditions of the season include the making of New Year's resolutions. That tradition also dates back to the early Babylonians. Popular modern resolutions might include the promise to lose weight or quit smoking. The early Babylonian's most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment. The Tournament of Roses Parade dates back to 1886. In that year, members of the Valley Hunt Club decorated their carriages with flowers. It celebrated the ripening of the orange crop in California. Although the Rose Bowl football game was first played as a part of the Tournament of Roses in 1902, it was replaced by Roman chariot races the following year. In 1916, the football game returned as the sports centerpiece of the festival. The tradition of using a baby to signify the new year was begun in Greece around 600 BC. It was their tradition at that time to celebrate their god of wine, Dionysus, by parading a baby in a basket, representing the annual rebirth of that god as the spirit of fertility. Early Egyptians also used a baby as a symbol of rebirth. Although the early Christians denounced the practice as pagan, the popularity of the baby as a symbol of rebirth forced the Church to reevaluate its position. The Church finally allowed its members to celebrate the new year with a baby, which was to symbolize the birth of the baby Jesus. The use of an image of a baby with a New Years banner as a symbolic representation of the new year was brought to early America by the Germans. They had used the effigy since the fourteenth century. 

FOR LUCK IN THE NEW YEAR

Traditionally, it was thought that one could affect the luck they would have throughout the coming year by what they did or ate on the first day of the year. For that reason, it has become common for folks to celebrate the first few minutes of a brand new year in the company of family and friends. Parties often last into the middle of the night after the ringing in of a new year. It was once believed that the first visitor on New Year's Day would bring either good luck or bad luck the rest of the year. It was particularly lucky if that visitor happened to be a tall dark-haired man. Traditional New Year foods are also thought to bring luck. Many cultures believe that anything in the shape of a ring is good luck, because it symbolizes "coming full circle," completing a year's cycle. For that reason, the Dutch believe that eating donuts on New Year's Day will bring good fortune. Many parts of the U.S. celebrate the new year by consuming black-eyed peas. These legumes are typically accompanied by either hog jowls or ham. Black-eyed peas and other legumes have been considered good luck in many cultures. The hog, and thus its meat, is considered lucky because it symbolizes prosperity. Cabbage is another "good luck" vegetable that is consumed on New Year's Day by many. Cabbage leaves are also considered a sign of prosperity, being representative of paper currency. In some regions, rice is a lucky food that is eaten on New Year's Day. 

AULD LANG SYNE

The song, "Auld Lang Syne," playing in the background, is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to bring in the new year. At least partially written by Robert Burns in the 1700's, it was first published in 1796 after Burns' death. Early variations of the song were sung prior to 1700 and inspired Burns to produce the modern rendition. An old Scotch tune, "Auld Lang Syne" literally means "old long ago," or simply, "the good old days."

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Fresh Start For Your Home

From the Heart and Home series by Annie B. Bond and Cait Johnson.

Now we turn our attention to the fresh New Year stretching out before us, and all the curiosity, hope, and anticipation that inspires. How wonderful to have this yearly chance to clear the deck for all the happenings and pleasures that the future will bring.

As we get ready for New Year's, we can clear away the stale energies from our homes and bring in a lively fresh sense of newness to help ourselves feel ready for change. Here are our ideas, from simple decorating tips to scents and sights that will inspire and refresh your spirits. You can make your home a beacon for joy, pleasure, abundance, and more:

1. Pare down. Try getting rid of at least one thing from every room that no longer feels right or appropriate for you. That crocheted throw from the aunt you never really liked, the toss pillow that doesn't quite go with your color scheme, the kitchen gadget taking up precious counter space that you never use: when we clear out the things that don't work for us, we make room for the things that do. Have a swap with friends, or donate items to a shelter or charity. Enjoy the refreshing sense of openness this creates.

2. Clear the air. Try opening a window (briefly, if it's cold where you are) and imagine all the old "stuff" from the old year—the angers, disappointments and problems--to float away outdoors where the energies of nature will neutralize it. If you are holding a grudge against someone in your home, this may be a good time to clear the air emotionally: with love and compassion, and trying to keep yourself within the bounds of "I" statements, state your feelings and your wish for healing.

3. Clear the energy. Smudging is a time-honored way to neutralize negative "vibes" and bring in protection and clear, clean energies. Find out how to smudge your home, here.

4. Bring in sweet fresh scents. Here are a few scents that people have associated with clean, lively, fresh energies for millennia: 

Lemon 

Peppermint 

Evergreen 

Eucalyptus 

Rosemary

You can put a few drops of essential oil on a cool light bulb, or in a dish, or mix them with water and spray into the center of the room.

Try simmering a sliced lemon in a pan of water on the stove. Add some peppermint candies for a minty freshness.

Cut fresh evergreen boughs (unless you are allergic to them) to replace the holiday greens that may be getting dry and scentless by now.

You can often buy sprays of eucalyptus at your local florist or craft shop to place in a pitcher or vase.

Many grocery stores sell large sprigs of fresh rosemary that will add a lovely scent and appearance to holiday arrangements. 

5. More light. Light a candle in front of a mirror, float candles in a bowl of water, bring in more reflective materials--such as gold or silver metallics--to increase the amount of light in your home at this dark time of year.

6. Rearrange. Sometimes something as simple as moving a picture to a different wall, or changing the position of an armchair, can give the energy of the room a whole new liveliness.

7. Bring in the new. This is the perfect time to try something you've never done before: a different color-scheme, a creative approach to something familiar (putting your greenery in a galvanized steel bucket next to the front door, using a terra cotta flowerpot to hold rolled napkins tied with brocaded ribbon instead of napkin rings). When we loosen up enough to get out of our old habits and ruts, we feel encouraged and open to possibility.

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New Year's Divinations - 

Divination rituals that occurred on New Year's Eve were considered especially powerful if one followed certain rules. No crosses or belts could be worn and no blessings could be asked.

It was customary on New Year's Eve for a girl to back up to the bathhouse door with her hem over the back of her head (rear-end exposed) and ask a question of the Bannik. If a cold touch or scratch from his claw was felt, it meant no. If a warm touch or caress was felt, it meant yes. 

This same divination could be used if one put their hand in-between the wood of the bathhouse.

If you looked into the mirror in the steam bath on New Years eve, you would see the face of your future husband, or if you slept on a log, you would see his face in a dream.

If you caught the moons reflection in a mirror, your future spouses name would also be revealed there.

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New Year's Ritual

Fresh starts, all possibilities, a shared vision of hope are in order on New Year's Day. Light candles of many colors, and place them around a bowl of clear water, saying: "This day is waiting for me to choose, if I will win or if I will lose. The magic I live in the coming year, flows from the gifts I choose. The vows I make, the chances I take, the visions that now fill my heart, grow strong with intention that is honorable and true. Magic come and magic stay, with me now and everyday. Creation be alive in me, bring light to all I see. Fill my heart with peace. Fill my spirit with the universe's light, power, justice, and eternal might. Open my vision of all I see, blessings and benevolence are in me. My powers grow with each new insight picked from wisdom's tree. Magical moments I do see, each day beings me closer to what I will be. By the light of these candles my illumination grows bright, By the waters of life bring to Earth peace and new insight. I welcome the new year and vow to be valiant, kind, and wise. So mote it be." 

Notes: Holiday lore: New Year's Day calls for safeguards, augurs, charms, and proclamations. All over the world on this day, people kiss strangers, shoot guns into the air, toll bells, and exchange gifts. Preferred gifts are herring, bread, and fuel for the fire. 

by Abby Willowroot

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New Year's Resolution Spell

For this spell, choose a few goals that you want to accomplish; these may be related to work or your personal life. Keep them in your mind; with this spell, you will raise spiritual assistance in accomplishing your intentions. To start, you will need to gather four rocks that you've collected from a nearby "special place," perhaps a park or your back yard. You will also need some unrefined salt. After the New Moon has begun, take the four rocks you have gathered and place them outside near your home in an undisturbed part of your yard. Lay down the rocks in a cross, one for each direction. Sprinkle the salt lightly over the four rocks, and toss the rest in the center. Visualize the goals you have set for yourself and say out loud what you hope to accomplish. Leave the rocks out until you have realized your aims. 

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New Years Rituals

BY BARBARA BIZIOU

Each New Year millions of people make resolutions to do things differently. Because cultures from around the world understand that the New Year is an opportunity to spiritually turn the wheel of the year and begin anew this is the perfect time to look at areas that need adjustment. 

Take the time to do rituals of purification and closure to prepare for a new vision to manifest. As we move into the year 2005, more than ever, it is crucial to take the time to acknowledge our experiences with joy and grief. We must strive to bring balance and harmony into our lives so we can imbue the coming year with the qualities that we most desire.

Turn this holiday into a meaningful occasion. 

You'll be surprised how easy it is to turn holiday occasions that you normally take for granted or move through without thinking into a meaningful ritual. Instead of just coming up with guest list and planning the usual gathering for the New Year, if you slow down, realize that you're taking part in a time-honored tradition that connects you to your past, and concentrate on your intention--to commemorate an important holy day--you will get deeper meaning and a greater sense of connectedness out of each occasion. 

New Years Ritual:

Spend the day on December 31st by taking some time to be quiet and reflect on the year that is drawing to a close. Think about the people that mattered most to you, your greatest accomplishment, challenging difficulties and the lessons you learned.

Take a purification bath. Scrub yourself with sea salt and wash yourself thoroughly in the water. Feel free to anoint yourself with your favorite oil or perfume.

Contemplate the patterns in your life that keep you stuck. Write down the limiting beliefs or habits that you wish to leave behind with the old year. In a fireproof bowl or fireplace, safely burn the paper. As the paper burns, be aware that you have just made space for new ideas people, and opportunities to enter your life. Carefully, throw out the ashes when they cool. 

Light a candle for those who have passed on to spirit.

Light a candle for your new potential in the coming year.

Light a candle to acknowledge the earth.

Contribute to your community by planting a tree, helping a homeless family or baking cookies for your local nursing home.

Share your holiday with others: invite friends to a New Year's ceremony that honors your individual path. Have each person light a candle and share his or her vision for the year. It is powerful to have witnesses to your dreams.

Take five minutes to focus on peace- have each person light a candle for peace and healing. Play inspirational music

Dance, sing and celebrate life.

Forgive, forgive, forgive- end the old year by opening your heart to yourself and others.

During Tashlich, the Hebrew ritual for Rosh Hashanah (New Year), Jews throw bread into moving water as a symbol of releasing the previous years's transgressions. The bread feeds the fish and birds so it is also a way to connect to all of God's creatures. Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, is a time to fast and contemplate the past year and any transgressions one has committed. You ask forgiveness of anyone you have harmed in words, deeds or action in the past year. Traditionally you ask the person personally three times. If they do not respond you then turn it over to God.

In Bali, the day before the New Year. All statues of the Deity are taken to the water for purification ceremonies. Great processions of people walk to the river or ocean and offer prayers. A great ceremony is held where you make as much noise as possible to appease the gods, because on the actually day of the New Year (Nyep) the entire island is in silence. One prays and meditates on the coming year. Even the airports are closed.

In China, it is important to pay all debts before the year begins so you can start off fresh. Families clean their homes thoroughly to release any traces of bad luck from the past year. On New Year's Eve it is important to put purifying herbs like crushed lime leaves into the bath water.

New Year's day is filled with huge parades and processions including dancing dragons that are associated with long life and prosperity. People bring in lucky plants and flowers like the Kumquat trees and peach blossoms to decorate their homes. All Chinese children and people who are not married are given money in special red envelopes to bring good luck for the coming year. 

Watch your head in an Italian town on New Year's eve, because the inhabitants literally do "out with the old" by throwing unwanted possessions from their windows. Everything that lands on the pavement is up for grabs, making street shopping a fun part of the night's activity. 

For good luck in the coming year, some cultures throw money into the house the first time that they enter after the New Year has begun. If you are staying home, go to your front door at 12:01 am and throw coins into the front door. Keep them there for 24 hours and then place them on your altar or give them away to the needy.

Many years ago the Bulgarian master Omraam Mikhael Aivanhov told me that the first 12 days of January represent the whole year. January 1st stands for the month of January, January 2nd stands for February and so on. By practicing loving kindness, openness, and generosity while giving thoughtful attention to the significance of each day, you will consecrate the coming year.

In the African tradition, divination's are made on New Years for the coming year. Luisah Teish, in Carnival of the Spirit says that in the African Diaspora there is a tradition of divining for the coming year. Divination may be done for individual, groups or the world. It is both will-directed and destiny-directed prophecy. Pam nuts, kola nuts, or cowry shells are cast to determine what natural occurrences (earth quakes, tidal waves) and what human tendencies (fear, communion) are most likely to manifest in the coming year. We ask what do the deities have in store for us and how are we to conduct ourselves. These predictions are made and the diviner prescribes various rituals to be performed throughout the year in order to receive blessings and avert danger.

Barbara Biziou, author of The Joys of Everyday Rituals and The Joy of Family Rituals, teaches us how to restore ritual to its rightful place as food for the soul through practical, easy to use ritual recipes that are inspiring and fun. She has just produced her first guided meditation DVD Momentary Meditations (shot entirely on high definition video)

(Barbara lives in NYC and can be reached at 212-741-3358 or email her at barbara@joyofritual.com. Check out her website for information on DVDS, private consultations, workshops, wedding ceremonies and rituals of all kinds. www.joyofritual.com)