Coming from a traditionally conservative family in the Philippines, I was raised to follow, if not believed (and practiced for many years) some rituals in meeting the new year as older folks look upon the new year as the time for a new beginning, new hope, and a new path or road for life’s betterment from the previous year, whether for personal, familial or business reasons. Do you still remember some of the following new year’s beliefs, such as...the rice, salt and sugar containers must be filled to the brim as it means no hunger for the rest of the year...cleaning up the whole house to welcome good luck (a good feng shui idea as I learned lately)...this comes with giving yourself a good bath, too...wearing of polka dots as a symbol for prosperity or money, or eating or serving round fruits such as grapes, kumquats, etc. for wealth accumulation...all the family members got to be together for the midnight dinner, meaning family togetherness for the whole year, at least. And many more new year’s beliefs (or superstitions), too many to mention in this column.

 
As we moved away from our mother country and lived a life of our own away from our mother and father or ancestors, some of these new year’s beliefs have disappeared in our growing-up process while living in this adopted country of ours. Many of us look at New Year’s Eve (and day) meeting the new year quite differently now...more meaningful and memorable, not just in a quiet family togetherness. We can still choose a symbolic ritual to consciously mark the transition to a new year for clearing the mind and moving forward, likewise, focusing on our specific hopes and dreams. 

Do you realize that we are not alone in the new year’s rituals as I described above? In my search, I’ve found out about these very interesting new year’s rituals of different people with different cultures and religions from around the world.

In the Thai culture, water represents both cleansing and renewal, and the New Year is celebrated with rituals of splashing water. Water is tossed out of doors or windows (checking first for passers-by!) or into public fountains, and, more personal, young people tenderly pour scented water over the shoulders of their elders as a sign of respect and an act of blessing. 

In Japan, people spend the last day of the old year cleaning their homes to welcome the New Year’s harvest god. Clearing away clutter and creating a clean, peaceful environment can be a tangible and meaningful way to symbolize the clearing out of old energy from the current year in order to create a welcoming space for new, positive events and opportunities to move into your life.

A Native American tradition can easily be adapted even to urban environments. Go to a park, hiking trail, your garden or some other place in nature that’s significant to you. Dig a small hole in the ground, and place your regrets, fears or worries (represented by a slip of paper on which you have written them, a photograph or some other symbol) from the past year into the hole. Replace the dirt and cover the spot with leaves or stones so that the earth can absorb the past and leave you unburdened for the coming year. Physically releasing something tangible into the world -- such as balloons, butterflies, doves or bubbles -- can represent the release of the past. An easy, elegant and environmentally correct way to do this is by blowing bubbles -- perhaps even twice: First at sunrise, to release regrets, worries or cares... then at dusk to release your hopes, consciously sending out a wish to the universe each time you blow a new set of bubbles. The Jewish New Year (which occurs in the autumn) is marked by atoning for the transgressions of the past year in order to enter the new one spiritually cleansed. You can adapt this as an end-of-year ritual by making a list of all the hurts, injustices and regrets you faced or created during 2009. Contemplate each as you write them down, bringing them to mind for one last review. Next, build a fire in a fireplace (indoors or outdoors) and burn the list. Take the ashes outside, and scatter them or sprinkle them into the wind or over moving water (a brook or the beach) to carry them away. 

Another ritual of repentance is part of the annual New Year celebration in Buddhist temples in Japan, where bells are rung 108 times in order to dispel the 108 worldly desires. Consider engaging in a personal bell-ringing ceremony, with each toll representing something you wish to let go of or something you hope to call into your life in the months ahead. 

Plant seeds in an indoor pot, each seed representing a particular hope or desire that you can bring into being. Nurturing the plant as it pushes through the earth and grows toward the sun can be symbolic of your dreams coming to fruition. 

In many parts of South America, people take a traditional walk around the block carrying a suitcase (try a backpack if you find a suitcase awkward or uncomfortable) each New Year’s Eve, which is said to ensure that your dream journey will manifest. Some churches and communities sponsor labyrinth walks, which are a form of moving meditation that allows the walker to reflect on life while moving slowly and mindfully, one step at a time, along a prescribed path. This can represent moving away from the past and toward the future. 

Rituals can be as simple as a moment of silence, a letter to yourself or someone else, or even a prayer, religious or otherwise. Or you may prefer to go all out, planning something elaborate, extravagant and even (if you can afford it), expensive such as a trip to a special place. A New Year’s ritual can be solitary or a celebration with your partner, family and friends, or -- as is done in many cities around the world -- at a party where everyone in the community is welcome. It’s the deliberation and focus on what matters to you that is most important and that ultimately gives your choice meaning, whether you do it only this year or every year going forward from now on.  (Routines by B. Fise).  As I mentioned in “Publisher’s Notes,” besides the fantastic Kulinarya Tour around Pampanga and Bulacan (where our country’s     premier cooking experts hail from), courtesy of the Philippine Department of Tourism (thanks Ms. Vernie Morales, PDOT Director of Chicago), we also had a taste of “Magsing-Irog” massage at the
Abe’s Farm Village Country at the foot of Mt. Arayat, comfortable accommodations at Mimosa Holiday Inn in Clark and Dusit Hotel in Makati. Ms. Cristy Anteojo with her very courteous and fantastic driver from Southeast Travel. What a fantastic two-day tour, short but sweet (filled with sweets to eat!), a great experience to learn more about the country which we were unfamiliar about, to tell the truth, and to be able to meet some wonderful people along the way. 

Our last day in the Philippines was crammed with interviews of some political and business personalities we had on our list. Though we were unlucky to get an interview with some (like Noynoy Aquino being unavailable due to illness), we were lucky enough to squeeze in a few minutes of a hasty interview with Mr. Manny Villar.  What an interesting person, and the right person that the Philippines needs as President (my personal opinion, after my interview), well-qualified as former Senate President and Speaker of the House , has great programs for the country and the Filipino people, when he gets elected as he came from rags-to-riches (squatter background), has great managerial abilities and capabilities (meaning, will be able to handle and manage the corrupt people that might surround him), wonderful family from wife (a UP grad in business administration and MBA from New York University) to children, and many more.