Zwelfdi Nacht/Twelfth Night un Neiyaahrsdaag/New Year's Day

[Rob]

Tonight (December 31 into January 1) is the Twelfth Night of Yule (remember that Heathen (and therefore Urglaawe) days begin at sunset on the prior day. Thus, "Sunday" actually begins at sundown on Saturday.

This is also the night of the progression of Berchta, a powerful goddess known to the Continental and Pennsylvania Germans. She may actually be Holle known by a different name, or She may be a Vanic relative of Holle. However, historical treatment of Her has portrayed Her as much harsher than Holle and as having one foot significantly larger than the other. The difference may actually be a splay that resulted from Her endless spinning. Interestingly, this splay and the subsequent odd appearance of Her foot may be the origins of Mother Goose. ;)

The owl is the sacred animal to Berchta. I find it interesting that Her progression happened in different areas at different times in December, and much of December of the Deitsch Yaahrsraad (zodiac) falls under the sign of the Eil, or the owl. I have not found reason to draw any firm conclusions as to a relationship between them.

Also, apparently Berchta has a favorite dish. It consists of herring and oats or oatmeal. Folklore holds that She gets upset when people eat items other than those sacred foods on Her day. I confess that I am not sure I am ready to have that be my only meal today, so hopefully She will not be offended!

It is quite possible that New Year's resolutions originate in Heathen practices. The origins for these resolution in Urglaawe have their roots in Braucherei's oral lore that stressed a seasonal focus. The spiritual year began at Allelieweziel (Halloween). At that time, we were to have banished from our lives anything that we wanted to extinguish at New Year's Day last year. Between Allelieweziel and Yule, we are to ensure that other resolutions from last year have been completed. Because winter is a time of introspection, we are to examine ourselves and our lives in order to see where we can improve ourselves (physically, spiritually, mentally, etc.). 

By New Year's Day, we should be prepared to state a realistic goal for the next year. It is important to be realistic, though, because the resolutions most frequently become oaths to the deities and/or to the community. Thus, do not be reckless with resolutions. It is better to make none than to make an oath and not keep it. Bear in mind, too, that the resolution can be as simple as saying, "I will start to exercise more frequently this year." Such resolutions avoid the pressure and stress of an oath that says, "I will go to the gym every day." If you don't go to the gym at all now, chances are that the resolution will become a thorn, and that is not the intention.

So what is the intention? The purpose of the resolution is the introspection and the learning processes involved. Additionally, most resolutions should not be expected to happen immediately. The seasonal focus concept allows for a year of change and progress, with each eighth of the year serving as a checkpoint in our progress.

The way Distelfink Sippschaft handles resolutions is within the context of Yule. On New Year's Day, we write our resolutions out. If the resolution is not functioning as an oath to the deities, then we fold twice the paper on which it is written. If it is serving as an oath, the paper is folded once. If it is a public oath, the paper remains unfolded.

We then attach the oaths to the Yule wreath, which we set ablaze (thus representing again a Sunwheel). The messages are carried from us to the deities and/or to the cosmos. We then go on to celebrate the Feast of Frey, which is the traditional Deitsch pork and sauerkraut (both of which are sacred to Frey) representing bounty and luck in the coming year.

I will post more on each seasonal focus in the near future.

I want to wish you all a successful and prosperous 2012. May you have much luck in the new year!