Sir, – I am old enough to remember, and also recall my parents speaking of, the New Year’s customs that once brought meaning and merriment to this time of year. On New Year’s Eve, it was common to check the wind direction at midnight, believing it would predict the year’s weather. Given today’s unpredictable climate, such foresight feels like a lost art. Our homes were thoroughly cleaned, symbolically sweeping away the old year’s misfortunes, while in rural areas, Christmas bread was banged against walls to chase away evil spirits and ensure plenty of food in the coming year.
On New Year’s Day, first-footing brought further excitement, with a dark-haired man – ideally carrying bread, salt, or coal – believed to bring good luck. Alas, my lack of hair disqualifies me now, and with today’s price of coal, even the most optimistic visitor might hesitate! At midnight, front and back doors were flung open to “let the old year out and the new year in,†though with the cost of heating oil, few of us dare to do so today.
Some also gathered water from holy wells, believing it had special healing properties on this day, a tradition that might deserve a revival, if only to counteract the effects of festive excess.
As we begin 2025, these charming customs remind us of simpler times when good fortune was swept in with clean houses, plentiful tables, and symbolic gestures. Reviving a little of that spirit might not only reconnect us with our roots but also bring some much-needed warmth to the year. – Yours, etc,
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ENDA CULLEN,
Armagh.