Hogmanay

Trying to find out the meaning of the word “Hogmanay” (hog-min-ay) can cause you to run around in circles and falling down in heap on the floor (much like drinking too much whisky on Hogmanay night!).

Some say that it comes from the Anglo-Saxon Haleg Monath (Holy Month), or the Gaelic Oge maidne (New Morning). Others believe that it comes from the Celtic Hogunnus (new year), or the Flemish-Dutch hoog min dag (great love day). There is also the Old French word Aguillanneuf – referring to both the last day of the year and the gift traditionally given on that day.  

Christmas was never very popular as a celebration in Scotland.  Why?  It was believed to be too ‘catholic’ so many Scots waited till their beloved Hogmanay to really live it up!

Whatever the original meaning and purpose, lost in the days of old, the meaning of Hogmanay has always been a celebration of a New Year.  It is interesting that Hogmanay is celebrated as a more modern calendar/solar version when New Year on the Wheel of Life is Samhain!

Anyhoo.. let’s look at a few of the old traditions to welcome in the New Year!

Historical Celebrations

·         an old Scottish traditions was for children to run from door to door on New Year’s Eve asking for presents and shouting, Hogmanay!  The small gifts received were also called Hogmanays.

·         amongst the Scottish regiments, the officers had to wait on the men at special dinners while at the bells, the Old Year is piped out of barrack gates. The sentry then challenges the new escort outside the gates: ‘Who goes there?’ The answer is ‘The New Year, all’s well.’

·         New Year’s Day, women would race to the local well to be the first to ‘get the creaming of the well’.  The first water drawn was said to guarantee marriage within the next year!

·         cleaning the house on 31st December (including taking out the ashes from the fire in the days when coal fires were common).

·         clear all your debts before “the bells” at midnight.

·         welcome friends and strangers, with warm hospitality and of course a kiss to wish everyone a Guid New Year

·         dressing up in the hides of cattle and running around the village being hit by sticks.

·         lighting of bonfires, rolling blazing tar barrels down the hill and tossing torches.

·         Wrapping animal hide around sticks and ignited; the smoke was believed to ward off evil spirits. The smoking stick was also known as a Hogmanay.

·         Singing Auld Lang Syne

An old custom that is still prevalent is one called “First footing” (that is, the “first foot” in the house after midnight). To ensure good luck for the house, the first foot should be male, dark (believed to be a throwback to the Viking days when blond strangers arriving on your doorstep meant trouble) and should bring symbolic coal, shortbread, salt, black bun and whisky. These days, however, whisky and perhaps shortbread are the only items still prevalent (and available).  Families used to hire out their dark-haired relatives for the purposes of First Footing!!!

Here in the Celticai Household, I’ll be spending today cleaning our house, changing bed sheets, emptying ‘old’ food from our cupboards and making sure that there are no unpaid bills lying around!  My husband will be clearing gutters and debris from the garden (also great for the Australian Storm Season Preparation).  We’ll talk about and write down our vision for the upcoming 12 months. 

Later in the evening, I’ll light some sage and invite the Angels into our home.  Then we’ll gather with family and friends to welcome in 2012.  Of course, in Australia, this is normally a BBQ and a swim in the pool.  As we get a wee bit older, we tend to watch the Edinburgh Tattoo while enjoying a dram or two of single malt whisky.

May yer blessings oot number the thistles that grow and may troubles avoid ye wherever ye go!

Manifest 2012 – January 4th