This was Laurel Mae last year, wassailing our Arkansas black apple tree. Just a couple more days until we do it again, I hope! It was mildly cold last year, but we are making up for it this year. Twelfth Night should see temperatures in the single digits!
It wast the custom in Southwest Virginia for the Christmas season to last the full twelve days, with minimal work done during this time. However, many folks believed that one should do as much work as possible on New Year's Day to ensure a good day's work would be done all year long. People rang in the new year with the shooting of guns, ringing bells, beating pans, and yelling, all to drive away any evil spirits. We enjoy fireworks here, when we can.
Just like Christmas, there are many superstitions associated with the New Year. I'll list a few of the more peculiar ones here:
- Every effort should be made to collect any money owed to a person or to make money. This would ensure money would come in all year.
- Nothing should be removed from the house, or things might disappear the rest of the year!
- No fire should leave the house, much like on Christmas.
- Catching a rabbit in a graveyard will bring good luck.
- Hog jowls and leather britches should be served for good fortune.
- At midnight, all doors and windows should be opened for good luck.
Open the west door
And let the old year go.
Sing reign of fair maid
With gold upon her chin.
Open your east door
And let the new year in.
This would work well for us, since our house faces East to West. I might have to try it next year, though staying up until midnight is not very easy for me. Well, there's just one day left. See you tomorrow!
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