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January 1
New Year's Day (Europe/United States)
Gamelia
Themes: Luck; Health; Prosperity; New Beginnings
Symbols: Two-sided Items, Representing the Old and New (like coins and hourglasses)
About Gamelia: Gamelia is a lucky aspect of the Greek goddess Hera, who brings good fortune (especially in love). On this day of new beginnings, Gamelia extends a helping hand by teaching about the cycles in your life and how to cope with them more effectively, adding a little luck to make things easier. In ancient times, people would wash Gamelia's statues on this day, symbolically wiping winter away. They would also hang bay, palm, dates, and figs around the house to inspire a year filled with Gamelia's blessings.
To Do Today: Remember Gamelia today to manifest her luck and joy in your life. Eat dates or figs (raisins are a handy substitute), leaving a little outside as an offering to her.
To encourage a fresh start, consider turning over an hourglass (or egg timer) as midnight tolls. As you turn the hourglass, recite this incantation:
The sands of time turn again; with them new life begins.
The old now departs; Gamelia, refresh my heart.
For prosperity in the new year, carry any silver-colored coin in your pocket the entire day, then use it to make a wish at any nearby fountain or water source. To foster Gamelia's help with the wish, burn a little myrrh incense.
365 Goddess. Copyright © by Patricia Telesco. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold.
