Happy Gregorian New Year!!

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Sunday, 31 December 2006

Happy Gregorian New Year!!

Today is New Year's Eve according to the Gregorian calendar, used most widely around the world. If you live in Portugal, you'll probably eat 12 grapes at midnight and, if you're Danish, you may break some dishes at the front door of your friends' houses. Read about other New Year's traditions here. And here's a link to read an overview of other New Years holidays celebrated at different times of the year.

In Brazil on New Year’s Eve priestesses of the local macumba voodoo cult dress in blue skirts and white blouses for a ceremony dedicated to the goddess of water, Yemanja. A sacrificial boat laden with flowers, candles and jewelery is pushed out to sea from Brazil's famous Ipenama beach in Rio de Janeiro.

Many people in the South Pacific celebrate New Year's in mid-October at the appearance of the group of stars called the Pleiades. This marks the end of the harvesting season and the end of the year. Their festival of Makahki is a time for feasting, sports and truce-making.

May you find broken dishes at your doors, feast, play sports and make truce! I also send out wishes and prayers for peace and prosperity for those who find themselves in dangerous places and without the means to feast or make merry in troubled times.