Take down the Christmas decorations!

 It's the Twelfth Day of Christmas today so its time to pack away all of the lights 

and baubles for another year 

Now Christmas is past; Twelfth Day is the last

To the Old Year adieu; Great joy to the New.

In days past the twelfth night was the most festive, its celebrations were ruled by King Bean and the Queen of the Pea. Chosen by who ever found the bean or pea in their slice of the twelfth night cake.

All greenery would be taken down after this last fling as it was extremely unlucky to leave any sprig of holly or ivy in the house although in a few places they would remain up until Candlemas in February otherwise the more mischievous faeries  and pixies would be encouraged to inside.

Down with the rosemary and so 

down with the bais and Mistletoe

down with the holly, ivie and all

wherewith ye drest the Christmas hall

that's so the superstitious find

not one least branch there left behind

for look how many leaves there be

neglected there. maids trust to me 

so many goblins you shall see!

Although it is usual to compost the tree it is unwise to carelessly discard the evergreen decorations; some ceremonially burn the tree while in some cases  they are allowed to rot quietly in the garden, or perhaps re purpose as nesting spot for birds, squirrels etc.

Pine needles dry quickly while rotting slowly so can be used as a mulch

New Year- Luck and Prosperity

 January, named after the double faced Roman God Janus, who looks back towards 

the Old year and at the same time forward to the New.

Something we all do, hopefully with fond thoughts.

Although it is known as the midwinter month, I always feel a great sense of 

optimism thinking that spring is just a around the corner. The arrival of the 

Snowdrops is always a welcome sight.

Everything you do on New Year's Day, which is the seventh day of Christmas, will

 influence your luck for the coming year. This is illustrated in the traditional wassail 

songs of the orchards.

Love and joy come to you

And to our wassail too

And God send you a Happy New Year

and Good fortune too.

Traditionally it was the custom to take nothing out of the house today, not even rubbish. Do not lend fuel or matches or pay bills ( I like that one!) lest you lack fire and money during the coming year.

 If you do, make sure that something is brought back in, preferably a coin.

Take out, then take in

Bad luck will begin

Take in then take out

Good luck will come about

Spread good luck by presenting your friends and neighbours a New Year gift. Nothing expensive, an apple stuck with cloves or holly will do. In Wales the apple would be studded with wheat, oats nuts and evergreen foliage. While in Scotland, the famous Hogmanay gift is a three cornered oatcake accompanied by Christmas cheese. Although I think first footing is the most well known of Scottish customs and is still very common in the Highlands and the North West.

Dark haired men are preferred first visitors to the household, this is believed to date back to the time of the Viking invaders when finding a blonde haired man at your door would more likely to bring fear than joy!

So a Happy New Year and prosperous one to you all!