Happy New Year 2010!

Wishing You and Yours a Prosperous, Healthy and Happy New Year!

There are many traditions regarding the consumption of various foods to bring in luck, happiness and prosperity to families all over the World.

In the South, it is said that you must eat Greens, Black Eyed Peas and Cornbread on New Year’s Day to be prosperous and successful throughout the year. each item is symbolic for a certain part of your everyday life. The Collard or Mustard Greens symbolize ‘greenbacks’ or ‘folding money’, the Cornbread because of its’ golden color represents “gold” as in gold and coin money and Black Eyed Peas ,also known as Cow Peas, for general Good Luck. Some cook a Rice and Black Eyed Peas dish called “Hoppin’ John” and serve it with baked Ham. While I am not partial to Hoppin’ John, it has been a tradition in my family for years to eat the Black Eyed Peas, Greens, Cornbread and with the addition of Fried Okra on New Year’s Day. These dishes can be prepared in many different ways. You may find recipes by searching the Internet or asking an Elder in the Church or neighborhood.

Here is a link to a great article about ‘Lucky” foods (and also unlucky foods to eat), along with their recipes from www.epicurious.com. Click here to read on…

Now, if you cannot get a hold of fresh Collard or Mustard Greens in the winter, you can always search for the Glory Foods Brand in your local supermarket. I usually find it in the Specialty Food section of the store. Click here to get great recipes and make sure to sign up for their e-mails.

The Full Moon in Cancer will occur at 2:14 pm E.S.T. on Thursday, December 31, 2009. Not only is this a Full Moon but a “Blue Moon” as well; one of two Full Moons within the 31 days of December. There will also be a Lunar Eclipse today as well. The Moon in Cancer is considered “Cardinal”; it is emotional, energetic and innovative. Lighting candles during this time for swaying the influence of others or controlling and compelling others to do as they promised or as you wish is suggested.

Full Moon candle burning rituals are used for banishing and sending away things that are negative in nature – bad relationships, nosy neighbors, bills – so remember to banish your credit card bills, banish bad habits that keep you healthy, send away unruly teenager attitudes andkick to the curb anyone who is keeping you down and from the success you want to achieve.

Participating in a Banishing Ritual, such as the one I perform at the end of each year, is helpful in making these changes. To read more about it, click here.

Remember that we are also under the influence of a Mars Retrograde and a Mercury Retrograde, so that ‘action’ and ‘communication’ are also hindered. You may find that you do not want to do anything or say anything, but remember that Cancer is the astrological symbol of home and hearth, food and family, so now might be a good time to ‘clean house’ – both figuratively and literally! This way, the New Year begins with a fresh start – a  clean house and a new set of home ruls that everyone can live, and love by.

Our next New Moon occurs on January 15, 2010 and it will be a Solar Eclipse on that day.

Not only will it be New Year’s Eve and a Full Moon (perfect for the Banishing Ritual) but it will also be a “Blue Moon”, a rare occurrence when two Full Moons occur within a 31 day month.  A Blue Moon is the name given to the second Full Moon as there is not a special title to the first Full Moon within that month; it is simply call the Full Moon. This does not happen very much and can only possibly occur during the months of July, August, and  October as most Moon Cycles are about 28 days between each Full Moon. Each astrological sign has a Full Moon that occurs in its’ sign, during the time that that zodiac sign rules.

The Blue Moon in The United States is considered a symbol of good fortune, but it is said that in Europe, it is considered a indicator of harsh weather and many get ‘the blues’ or feel uncomfortably sad during that time.

In the Celtic and Native American Traditions, each of the 12 Moons have a specific name and purpose and the 13th Moon can be called the Blue Moon.

Here is an article link to a piece written by Katerina Reif-Derrico titled, “Blue Moon Origins and Traditions”. Click the title to read this great article.