Abuliac

Welcoming the New Year

Since this year is the Year of the Dog (by the Chinese calendar), there are apparently special traditions to go along with welcoming it. Of course, I realize that Chinese New Year isn't till the end of January. However, I can't really argue with hundreds of years of Slavic tradition to greet Chinese animals accordingly (as mixed up as culture is already).

• So tonight, before the midnight toast, take a red apple and make a while holding it. Cut it in half and save two seeds from the center, which you must then eat at the stroke of midnight.


• If there is any meat at your celebration that is on bone (chicken, buffalo wings, ribs, etc), eat some meat off the bone. Save the bone when you are done and keep it all year for luck. If you ever have difficult times, you must find the bone again, hold it, and concentrate on things going well.


• And of course... since it's a fire dog, wear something red and/or fiery... at least at the moment you meet the New Year.

Now, I'm not saying I believe all this will work. I just find comfort in certain crazy little traditions that make an event extra-special... that add a tiny bit of magic to it all.

I send out wishes for a wonderful New Year's eve, filled with merriment and a smidgen of magic.