Rituals to welcome 2024: 8 cabals to enter the New Year on the right foot

December 31st: time to reflect on what happened in the last twelve months and, above all, to think about good resolutions for the year that is about to begin.

Sign up to the gym or go on a diet, spend more time with your family, leave that job that makes you unhappy and commit to dedicating yourself to what you’ve always dreamed of…

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Good intentions are important to achieve our goals in 2024, but… what if we gave them some extra help?

You probably know several rituals that aim to attract fortune and make it easier to start the year on the right foot: eating 12 grapes at midnight, jumping 7 waves, burning big dolls in the street…

But there are many more. At BBC Mundo we remember some of the cabals and amulets that millions of people use and put into practice in the hope of guaranteeing a new year full of happiness and prosperity.

1. The color of the underwear

Choosing the underwear we will wear to welcome the new year may be more important than we think.

The most superstitious statement that red underwear is what guarantees love over the next year, while Yellow is the one that will ensure that we don’t run out of money.

There are different theories about whether the ritual is more effective if the underwear is a gift or new, or even if it is only worn that night.

The color of the underwear we wear at the end of the year can shape the next 12 months. (GET IMAGES).

2. New clothes

What there is generally greater consensus on is the belief that Wearing a piece of clothing on the last night of the year can bring luck in the future.

At least that’s what those who decide to wear something new that day believe, as they say that this way you can get new clothes all year round and you won’t run out of money.

Or, for others, it’s just another reason to buy a piece of clothing and show it off at the long New Year’s Eve party.

Many people decide to wear new clothes on the last night of the year. (GET IMAGES).

3. Remove the bags

If your New Year’s dream is to travel the world, the suitcase ritual is right for you.

After midnight, grab a large suitcase and take it outside for a walk around the block where you live..

Those who believe in this ritual guarantee that the longer the walk, the further you will travel next year. And they guarantee that carrying your passport in your suitcase is important if you want to travel abroad.

Carrying your suitcases after midnight is a favorite ritual for those who want to travel in the New Year. (GET IMAGES).

4. Sweep away bad energy

Many people believe that doing a deep cleaning at home on December 31st and throwing away what no longer serves us helps so that all the good things multiply next year.

But, mainly, the most superstitious believe that sweeping is the best ritual to remove bad vibrations from the home.

The important thing, they say, is sweep from inside the house towards the front door to expel all the negativity accumulated during the year. Some even throw the broom out of the house after cleaning.

Many believe that sweeping towards the main door of the house serves to expel bad energy retained in the home during the year. (GET IMAGES).

5. Splash water

Also with the desire to get rid of bad vibrations and cleanse the energy of the home, many people throw a glass of water outside the house.

Some claim it guarantees happiness “avoid tears” during the new year.

And those who blindly believe in this ritual, in fact, are not satisfied with just one glass and often throw away an entire bucket of water. Just in case.

Throwing water outside the house also helps to cleanse the home of bad energy in the new year, according to those who practice this ritual. (GET IMAGES).

6. Eat lentils

It’s not as popular as the classic 12 Grapes at Midnight, but eating lentils at the beginning of the new year is a tradition for those who want to attract luck and abundance.

In Italy and in more and more countries, it is believed that eating this healthy food symbolizes the desire to have a long and healthy life and guarantees that there will be no food shortages over the next 12 months.

Others associate them with the image of ancient gold coins, and there is even a tradition of giving a bag full of lentils in the belief that they will eventually become coins.

In countries like Italy, eating lentils is a tradition to attract abundance and health in the new year. (GET IMAGES).

7. Write a list of positive or negative things

Not only on San Juan night: the ritual of writing a list of past events or wishes for the future is also popular to start the new year.

There are those who already write down all their wishes for the next 12 months on paper. At midnight, they open it in the hope that it will be fulfilled.

Others They write down all the negative things they want to get rid of and burn the paper until left in ashes to start the year with optimism and renewed energy.

You can record a list of negative things you want to get rid of in the coming year. (GET IMAGES).

8. Donate sheep

In some countries, little sheep represent economic abundance.

For this reason, some families make representations of these animals to ensure that their loved ones have enough resources in the coming year.

Others, however, believe that the best way to attract money is to place a figure of a sheep behind the door.

Little sheep represent economic abundance in some countries. (GET IMAGES).

Source: Elcomercio