Festival of the New Year Eve

The third of Waxing, the night before the Festival of the New Year, is considered the climax of The Waxing. This is also a holy day of Rai’lo and of Suta. Traditionally, people gather in small groups on this night, each member bringing a candle. (Small children usually do not take part in this ceremony, but parents often carry a candle for any children too young to participate). An hour before midnight, people begin extinguishing the candles, sometimes voicing a wish or prayer for the year ahead. When all the candles have been extinguished, everyone meditates in silence and darkness. As soon as midnight has passed, the host lights his or her candle, and the flame is passed from candle to candle until all the candles have been relit. Songs to welcome the light of the new year conclude the ceremony.