 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,218
BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,218 |
Hogmanay, Scotland's New Year festival, is a time of celebration, feasting and ritual. Hogmanay
Asha Sahni
Dreams Editor
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 17,644
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 17,644 |
I really like your article, Asha. I have read about "First Footing"
in hopes that a dark haired man bearing gifts would be the first to enter. I hope he finds my front door.
I wish all the best to you for 2012.
Walk in Peace and Harmony.
Phyllis Doyle Burns
Avatar: Fair Helena by Rackham, Public Domain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,218
BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,218 |
Phyllis thank you for your comments. I thought I had replied to this but realise I haven't (maybe started and got distracted by something!).
Did the dark man find your front door?
A happy new year to you Phyllis, wishing you all the best for 2012:
May the hill rise behind you,
And may the mountain always be over the crest;
And may the God that you believe in
Hold you in the palm of his hand.
Asha Sahni
Dreams Editor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 17,644
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 17,644 |
Happy New Year to you also, Asha. I love your little blessing, that is so nice.
Actually, yes! -- the dark man did find my door and stepped into my life in a very dear way. He called me his "beautiful spiritual rose". I call that pretty good fortune and makes this new year look very promising. He was the first one I heard from, early on 1/1/12 -- he is dark and Irish and very sweet, a romantic poet.
I wish you all the best, Asha, and many blessings.
Last edited by Phyllis - Appalachia; 01/02/12 08:26 AM.
Walk in Peace and Harmony.
Phyllis Doyle Burns
Avatar: Fair Helena by Rackham, Public Domain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,327
BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
|
|
BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,327 |
Always think it is funny that �First Footing� has to be by a �dark haired man�, preferably tall and handsome and carrying his gifts of whisky, a loaf of bread, salt, coins and/or a lump of coal, (which is a Scottish good luck symbol that used to be carried into battle by soldiers), and that it continues to be a major tradition as part of the extended Hogmanay New Year�s celebration.
At the same time �foot footers� who happen to be blond or fair haired are considered to be unlucky, because of the light haired Viking invaders who swept through Scotland way back in the 8th century. No one wanted them on their doorstep obviously.
As the majority of Scots have lighter hair and the dark haired Scots still tend to live in the Highlands, which was probably a refuge for the darker-haired Celtic people of Scotland, where do all the black haired �first footers� come from, �Rent a crowd�?
By the way Toi, Toi, Toi Phyllis..........what a way to start your year 
Francine A. McKenna - German Culture Editor German Culture Site - German Culture Facebook Avatar: HOHENZOLLERNBRÃœCKE Cologne with CATHEDRAL and LUDWIG MUSEUM. The Bridge a symbol of how Germany was rebuilt after WWII, it was left in ruins, the Cathedral with roots in the 13th century represents the country's history, Museum of Modern Art the present day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 17,644
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 17,644 |
"Rent A Crowd"? That is funny, Francine.  Thanks for the Toi, Toi, Toi. I never planned or expected a new prospect in my life, but he is not giving up on me. He knows I am refraining and he is a typical Irishman, will not give up. It is kind of scary for me, yet nice to be receiving poetry and attention. I always like the "First Footers" lore, but never really thought about these dark men and where they came from. That is really something to ponder on.
Walk in Peace and Harmony.
Phyllis Doyle Burns
Avatar: Fair Helena by Rackham, Public Domain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,240
BellaOnline Editor Tiger
|
|
BellaOnline Editor Tiger
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,240 |
Ooooh, I LOVE this idea Asha! So are both the 1st and 2nd of January considered Hogmanay then?
I was just thinking that today was too early to get back our routine. I think we all need one more day off. And hey! I'm self employed, AND I homeschool my kids! Looks like we have one more day of our holiday!
It really sounds like a beautiful holiday! I'd love to be in Scotland celebrating.
You said until the 50s or 60s, Christmas wasn't much of a holiday, right? So how is it celebrated there now?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,218
BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,218 |
Phyllis how wonderful that the dark one did find his way to your door. Giveen your partiality for Yeats dark, Irish, romantic and a poet sounds a pretty good mix!
Asha Sahni
Dreams Editor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 11,813
BellaOnline Editor Renaissance Human
|
|
BellaOnline Editor Renaissance Human
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 11,813 |
This is such a fresh article, Asha. Thanks for sharing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,218
BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,218 |
Rent a crowd or rent a hair dye/wig Francine? I have to confess I came across a fair number of medium to dark haired Scots, but then I was living in the Highlands...
Also interesting point you bring up about fair haired men being unlucky. A lot of people would think of dark (black) as bad and fair (white) as good, though this is in some ways a simplistic view and does not reflect worldwide cultural norms but more Western views.
Asha Sahni
Dreams Editor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We take forum safety very seriously here at BellaOnline. Please be sure to read through our Forum Guidelines. Let us know if you have any questions or comments!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This forum uses cookies to ensure smooth navigation from page to page of a thread. If you choose to register and provide your email, that email is solely used to get your password to you and updates on any topics you choose to watch. Nothing else. Ask with any questions!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
