Beginning, An tús, 2022 also MMXXII, after a year on pause I am looking forward turning out the scraith, this blog will be an adventure in itself, it will be what I hope is an engaging maybe even entertaining at times tale of the ups and downs of the novice gardener.
I am also setting myself the ambition to tie in my experiences in with the seasonal traditions saying poems and words that are often forgotten..
Traditions, the behaviours and beliefs that have been passed down through the ages, the word itself coming from a latin word tradere which means to hand over or to give for safe keeping.
So what were the traditions of old Ireland for the eve of the new year, many sources mention the need for a spotless house for the fresh start to the year, then that the first visitor of the year should be a dark haired young man, also the night goes by Oíche na Coda Móire, the night of the big portion, to celebrate homes have a bigger than normal meal, this was to ensure plenty for the coming year.
Of the three, I expect that I will only manage one of these, I wonder which is most likely in for my new year.
Finally a poem that was traditionally recited on new years eve at the stroke of midnight by the head of the house
“May your nets always be full,
Your pockets never empty,
Your horse not cast a shoe,
Nor the devil look at you
In the coming year.”
Of course the fado fado new year was not the key festival, the bigger festival was Samhain the great harvest festival. With a bit of luck in 10 months I will be harvesting my first of harvests in my new little abode.
There will be ups and downs; ins and outs; hills and hollows; trials and errors