A Journey to Scotland
I invite you on a cultural and culinary expedition to Scotland with the First Footing Tradition. This practice, deeply rooted in Scottish Hogmanay celebrations, is a beautiful blend of folklore and intention. The first person to cross your threshold after midnight on New Year’s Day predicts the coming year’s fortunes. From the dark-haired male bringing prosperity to the symbolic significance of women, children, or even pets as the first foot, this tradition is a powerful reflection of hope and community.
First Footing is an old tradition. It’s essential to remember that traditions are a product of their times. In ancient days, males were often seen as primary providers, which might explain why a dark-haired man is traditionally associated with prosperity and security.
I am all about making traditions relevant to us today. Therefore, I encourage you to develop your own significance for what your first foot might divine for the coming year. Respected for their wisdom and experience, an elderly first-footer might symbolize guidance and the protective hand of ancestors in the year to come.
Remember, traditions connect us—to the past, to each other, and to a shared hope for the future. Adapting them allows them to stay relevant and meaningful in our ever-evolving world, especially when we modify them within the spirit of the tradition, in this case, a divinatory practice. In the case of First Footing, it remains a hopeful practice, inviting prosperity and good fortune for the year ahead.
The Essence of Scottish Hogmanay: Black Bun & Herbal-Infused Whisky
I bring to your kitchen two quintessential Scottish recipes for your New Year’s Eve celebration: the rich, dense Black Bun and a twist on the traditional whisky toast with an herbal-infused whisky. These recipes are more than just culinary delights; they are carriers of culture and tradition, perfect for those looking to add a Scottish flair to their New Year’s Eve celebrations. For more about the First Footing Tradition, look no further than my new book, A Guide to Celebrating the 12 Days of Yule.
A Guide to Celebrating the 12 Days of Yule
The First Footing tradition reminds us of the enduring power of our rituals and customs. The folkore and recipe for Black Buns are extracted from my long-anticipated 2nd, expanded edition of A Guide to Celebrating the 12 Days of Yule, it offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of winter traditions and their enduring magic. In the chapter about New Year’s Eve you’ll find more Scottish traditions and folklore as well as other New Years Eve customs in the Nordic Countries.
Botanical Anthology Winter Edition
Both of these recipes are also included in an article about Scottish First Footing Tradition I wrote for Botanical Anthology. Available digitally and as a printed magazine, the Botanical Anthology Winter edition is now available on Amazon. It’s a perfect companion for your herbal journey or a thoughtful gift for friends and family interested in a sustainable, plant-centered lifestyle. Visit Plant Wonder Collective to secure your copy of Botanical Anthology: Winter 2023 and embark on a winter journey filled with herbal knowledge, folklore, and plant-based wisdom.
Related Posts:
A Guide to Celebrating the 12 Days of Yule
12 Days of Yule: Day 10- Yule Elf Folklore for Children
12 Days of Yule: Day 1 – Mother’s Night
12 Days of Yule: Day 2 – Winter Solstice
12 Days of Yule: Day 3- Hygge (Can Change Your World)
12 Days of Yule: Day 5 – Sacred Reindeer
12 Days of Yule: Day 6- Jul
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