January 1

New Year’s Day

“Pray don’t ‘ee wash on New Year’s day,
or you’ll wash one of the family away.
Cast holy water all about,
and have a care no fire goes out.”
—Robert Herrick (1591 – 1674)
The New Year’s Gift

The first day of the New Year was sacred to Jupiter and Juno, the Roman equivalent of the Greek Zeus and Hera. This day also celebrated the power of Gamelia, the foruitous side, or aspect of Hera. All things that concern luck and love were overseen by Gamelia, especially marriages.

New Year’s Day has always been considered a time of omens and portents. It was (and still is) believed that everything you do on this day will influence your luck for the coming year. Nothing should be taken from the house this day—not even rubbish. If it is absolutely necessary to put anything out, be sure to bring something back in first, preferably a coin concealed outside the night before.