There are plenty of old traditions and beliefs for the New Year that have been forgotten and rarely used. Some of them includes that eating pork, lentils, grapes and sauerkraut will bring future prosperity. Opening doors to release spirits was often done in Ireland. In Denmark people liked to jump off furniture at the strike of midnight to symbolise leaping into the new year. In Greece it was believed smashing pomegranates meant good luck and fertility. Chucking water out of windows was symbolic of cleansing ready for the new year. In England saying "Black rabbits, black rabbits" at New years eve just before midnight, and then saying "white rabbit, white rabbit" at the start of the new year.
Farmers in the UK used to tell the future by wind direction on new years day. A south wind meant a good harvest by abundant growth. A west wind would bring plenty of milk, salt and fish. A north wind would bring more coldness and storms. However the east wind will predict both good and bad signs, that includes trees will grow a lot of fruit and also disasters including famine. The worst is north-east wind that is believed to bring in trouble so everyone, humans and their animals, should avoid and leave. The best one of all simply is no wind, which means a fantastic prosperous year ahead.
More superstitions that are found today includes washing clothes as a sign of removing old negative feelings and bad energies built up from the past. Some believe taking out trash on new years' eve will also mean throwing away luck. Also wearing red underwear attracts both happiness and good fortune. In Ireland people throw bread at walls to stop bad luck. In Denmark they throw plates at doors of people they like. The Greeks put onions on their doors for growth and rebirth.
Storm Valkyrie
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