Hitting Send

Another fresh new year is here …
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest …
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!

Tis the dawning of a new year, and I am very excited about it! Can you feel it, dear reader? A new year filled with infinite possibilities and many beautiful blessings! I am certain that 2009 is going to be Glorious! We’ve done such wonderful work in the year past, and it is time to reflect back upon that which has been, give thanks for lessons learned, risks taken, goals achieved, and blessings bestowed upon us, while looking ahead to that which we shall create.

New Year’s is the oldest holiday ever celebrated, dating back 4,000 years ago to the ancient Babylonians. In the years around 2000 BCE, the Babylonian New Year began on the day of the first visible crescent Moon following the Vernal Equinox /first day of Spring. Symbolic of renewal/rebirth, this strikes me as a more logical time of year to celebrate, and thus I admire the countries/cultures which still do! After all, when Julius Caesar set us on the Julian Calendar, marking 1 January as the new year, he did so by letting the previous year run to 445 days rather than the traditional 365, plus leap year, and even then…

Cheers to most of India, where the New Year (Nava Varsha) is celebrated in March or April, just as in the most ancient civilizations! Sikhs celebrate Hola Mohalla in March, as is the Persian Nowruz. In China and Southeast Asia, Lunar New Year still has a floating date marked by the first day of the first lunar month.

I have celebrated new year’s in three different countries, the United States, Mexico, and the Netherlands, but all had a lot in common. For instance, in all three there was the tradition of noisemaking and fire. Noisemaking and fireworks on New Year’s eve is believed to have originated in ancient times, when noise and fire were thought to dispel evil spirits and bring good luck. There is also a tradition of burning away of the old/useless, still carried on today in most South American countries. It was my experience, both as a child growing up in Amsterdam, and as a young adult celebrating the festivity, that the Dutch take their fireworks to an extreme. Of course there was also the common element of partying and drinking, which also goes back to the Babylonians, and is still carried out across much of the globe.

In agrarian societies, foods were the most potent of all new year’s symbols, and that is still true today. After all, the new year celebration is an observance of Mother Earth’s ability to renew Herself, and giving thanks that She shall sustain us for another year. The Babylonian celebration, which lasted for eleven days, included a massive feast and the returning of borrowed farm equipment, which was important as it would soon be needed to work the fields. The Norse month-long Yule celebration concluded with a huge Viking feast! (I’m guessing they knew how to par-tay! *giggle*) Traditionally, it was thought that one could affect the luck one would have throughout the coming year by what one did or ate on the first day of the year, and there are still many ‘lucky’ foods.

Lucky foods for New Year’s feasting

Avoid eating anything that moves backwards, such as chicken, turkey or lobster. You don’t want to start the year moving backwards. Many of the foods are round, symbolizing both wholeness/completion/coming full circle in the prior year, and luck/prosperity in the coming year.

*Black-eyed peas - A favourite for New Year, simmer them with hog jowls to make a dish called Hoppin John and eat with rice. Black-eyed peas and other legumes have been considered good luck in many cultures. They are round, symbolize coins, and future prosperity. An old saying goes, “Eat peas on New Year’s day to have plenty of everything the rest of the year.”

*Cabbage - Braised and buttered or used as a wrap, cabbage and collards are meant to resemble money and bring fortune in Denmark and the southern United States.

*Pork - Roasted is best and a symbol of prosperity. Pork is a staple of New Year’s dining in Austria, Germany, Portugal and Spain, plus any country any of them colonized (i.e. all of South America).

*Donuts - This one I know well! The Dutch eat donuts, called Ole Bollen, which literally translates to “balls of oil”, but are actually quite tasty! These little deep fried donuts traditionally contain candied fruit, and are rolled in powdered sugar after frying! YUM! New Year’s smell of hot oil and sugar is a dear memory for me!

*Fish - In China and northern and western Europe fish is traditional and a symbol of fertility. In Japan, eat herring roe.

*Jaiozi - These Chinese dumplings are sometimes made after supper to eat late in the evening. They symbolize wealth.

*Grapes - In Spain, Portugal, Italy, Mexico and South America 12 grapes (round) are eaten to ensure future prosperity. I did this the year I brought in the new year in Mexico! Fun! But, you have to eat one each as the church bells ring, attempting to eat the whole bunch by the time the clock stops chiming! Pop! Pop! Pop! 12 is a lot of grapes!! lol

*Philippines - New Year’s celebrations in places like Manila tend to be circular; Filipinos focus on all things round, consuming “round” fruits such as grapes and wearing clothing with round shapes like polka dots. The spherical theme is meant to remind celebrants of the “round” shape of coins and prosperity.

*Shortbread, oat cake, fruitcake - In Scotland these are given as gifts when first-footing, the custom of being first through the door in the new year. I have not eaten shortbread as a new year’s custom, but rather like the idea!

I shall partake in some reflection on the past, honouring the efforts I’ve made and goals I’ve reached, and give thanks for the blessings bestowed upon me throughout this year. The circle is complete and a new year begins. Tis a time of new beginnings and a glorious celebration of life, for which I shall give thanks. May hope, love, and warmth be in your heart, dear reader, and may the New Year bring you and yours many blessings.

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, today is Winter Solstice, (the first day of Winter) and I for one, am ready for a return to light! Since the Summer Solstice, the Sun has been making a decreasing arc across the Southern sky, making last night the longest of the year. But at 4:04am PST this morning, the Sun ceased to decline in the sky, which means that the length of daylight shall now stay the same for a minimum of three days, during which the Sun does not move on the horizon. After this time, the Sun begins its ascent into the northern sky and the days grow longer. Thus the interpretation by many cultures of a Sun reborn and a return to light. What? That sounds familiar to you, too? *giggle*

Yes, the concept of death/rebirth, light conquering darkness, good over evil, goes back to the very beginning, because our existence as human beings was dependent upon it. As the growing season had ended and the tribe was living off of stored food, the life-giving Sun’s return was a blessed gift. Evidence of the importance of solstices can be found in most ancient cultures around the globe, with countless stone structures set up to detect the solstice/equinox changes. This important date has been restructured, molded, shaped into different celebrations, including the Christian Christmas (Christ Mass), for which many of us are in deep preparation.

As a research nerd with a fascination for the subject of religion, I easily found myself getting lost down many rabbit holes in researching this subject, but then I thought back to my early Christmas memories in Amsterdam, with Sinterklaas (Saint Nikolaas), from which our American Santa Claus is based. This benevolent, all-knowing fellow wears a long red cape, a white bishop’s dress and red mitre (bishop’s hat), and holds a crosier, a long gold coloured staff with a fancy curled top and arrives on a big white horse. Yes! He is Quite the impressive figure! And, so he should be, as he historically represents the (Sun) God, who has been born, or rather, reborn, and for which we *should* rejoice, for He is the Life-giver for which we are so grateful. Now that is not to say that the beloved Nicholas did not exist. In fact, there is documentation which shows that there was a Nicholas, in the fourth century, who resided in the little port of Myra in the southwest of what is now called Turkey. Born of a wealthy family, Nicholas was brought up as a devout Christian. When his parents died of an epidemic, he distributed his wealth among the poor (known for his kindness towards children and women, the latter of which not being held in high regards in those times) and became a priest. Later he became Archbishop of Myra, and it is from here that the fame of his good deeds began to spread across the Mediterranean. It’s interesting to me that, because any record of the birth of Yeshua of Nazareth (later known as Jesus Christ) had been destroyed, it was also in the fourth century that Christians chose a day to celebrate Yeshua’s birthday. The western church leaders selected 25 December because this was the date already recognized throughout the Roman Empire as the birthday of various Pagan gods. Hmmm…

Sinterklaas is not alone though, as his trusty companion Zwarte Piet (Black Pete) is always by his side. Zwarte Piet is said to be either a Turkish orphan or chimney sweep that travels with Sinterklaas as his helper. Zwarte Piet is depicted in bright Turkish garb with bright red lips and a gold earring. Going back down the rabbit hole for a sec, one could easily find evidence that Black Pete, is very similar to another figure seen opposite the Saint Nick character, which is that of the horned monkey, also representative of the devil. Once again, light versus dark, good versus evil. The Dutch Zwarte Piet with whom I grew up is known as a trickster, who will not only hide your presents and leave coal in your shoe, but carries a switch, and is also known for stealing naughty children away in his bag. Yeah! Fun! But, don’t worry! You were good, so you shall be given cookies, chocolate and candy!

The Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet of today are quite lovely! They arrive in the Netherlands by boat from their home in Spain each beginning of November. They then parade through the streets, welcomed by cheering and singing children, the event being broadcast live on national television in both the Netherlands and Belgium. Sinterklass rides through the streets on his white horse, “Schimmel”, while many Zwarte Piets assist by throwing candy and small, round, ginger bread-like cookies, either “kruidnoten” or “pepernoten,” into the crowd. In the following weeks they are everywhere! They visit stores, schools, hospitals, and orphanages, spreading good cheer. They also visit all of the children at night!

Every night from the time of “intocht van Sinterklaas” (arrival of Sinterklaas) and 5 December, which is Saint Nicholas’ Eve, Sinterklaas travels by sleigh from home to home giving out treats. Before going to bed children put their shoes next to the chimney of the coal fired stove or fireplace, or, in modern times, next to the central heating, with a carrot or some hay in it and a bowl of water “for Sinterklaas’s horse,” and then they sing a Sinterklaas song. Ohh, I do Love Sinterklaas songs! The next day children find some candy, usually chocolate letters for the first letter of your name, marzipan, or cookies, or sometimes a small present in their shoes, supposedly thrown down the chimney by Zwarte Piet or Sinterklaas himself. The Feast of Sinterklaas, (St. Nicholas’ Feast Day) is 6th December, which is the celebration of St. Nick’s birthday, although there is evidence that it was in fact the date of his death. Regardless, the Dutch celebrate it on 5 December, which is when the big presents are exchanged. And, this is where the Real meaning takes place! Family, Joy, Happiness, Together in Celebration! For the Sun/Son has returned, however you wish to view it historically/religiously, for it is what has meaning for you. For me, it is about Love. Love and appreciation for life, family, all that is, and all that ever was and will be. May it be a most Blessed Celebration for you, dear reader.

I have been taking some time to stop. Breathe. And, reflect back upon the year. Deep breath in. Deep breath out. I think that it is so easy to get caught up in the going, doing, and moving forward, and yet with all of the great work we’ve been doing all year, I find it’s quite a loss not to stop to appreciate the achievements we’ve been making along the way. I know that the more I accomplished, the more I began expecting of myself, pushing myself to constantly continue moving forward. I was doing daily meditation, energizing chakras, journaling, and many other forms of expansion/growth work, but had forgotten to slow down enough for proper digestion.

As I watched Mother Nature turn inward for renewal, I realized that I too needed to go inward, not only to nourish/nurture myself, but also to recognize the achievements that I have made throughout the year. It is very empowering to stop after each step of progress, acknowledge yourself for what you did, perhaps finding a lovely way to reward your success. Be proud! You are not staying in a comfort zone, you are doing the work, and you should be proud of yourself! Besides, as we’re all connected, your personal growth is all~ways contributing to the whole.

In a few weeks time we shall ring in the New Year, setting goals for the successes yet to come, so I think we should take some time now, prior to the Yule’s arrival, to list the things we did right! YAY! Isn’t that a fun idea? When was the last time you cheered on *YOU*? Appreciating yourself, and tooting your own horn isn’t a selfish thing to do, but one which will help you gain insight/awareness so you can move into greater goals. It also goes back to Gratitude. Self-Gratitude.

Okay, I want you to get really honest with yourself, and see where you got things really Right! Our lives are filled with many little achievements along the way, many of which may go unacknowledged, or even completely unnoticed. They may seem minor when viewing the big picture, but by praising them, we feel better about ourselves, and thus happier, healthier and more whole; which in turn contributes to our ability to journey into even bigger successes! Look back and see where your smaller steps led to your greatest accomplishments this year and I shall do the same!

Congratulations, Beautiful readers, on all of your successes this year!

Okay, here goes…

1. I am so proud of myself for my progress in trusting and healing my body without chemicals or Western doctors! HALLELUJAH!!!

2. Recognizing that I am both a strong womyn, and a “delicate flower”, learning to walk in balance; which in no way diminishes the Beauty of who I am at my core essence.

3. Nurturing/fostering important relationships in my life.

4. Opening my heart and trusting.

5. Listing my accomplishments for the www! *giggle*

I invite you to share with us your successes of the year!
Love and Blessings,
Antonia

Love After Love

The time will come
when, with elation
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror
and each will smile at the others welcome,

and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you

all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,

the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.

~Derek Walcott~

Love and Blessings,
Antonia