Christmas may be a relatively modern holiday for Wizarding families, but the celebration of the New

Christmas may be a relatively modern holiday for Wizarding families, but the celebration of the New Year is ancient. Oh, it has undergone some shifts in tradition- most notably when it celebrated. While it was once coupled to the winter solstice, it was moved to December 31 as calendars became more ingrained in Wizarding life. For the oldest Wizarding families, however, New Year celebration are much as they were in Roman times. Bonfires are lit, old and tattered robes are worn and holly is collected. As the old year transitions to the new, the old robes are burned with the holly to leave behind the old woes and bring new luck. It is also a powerful time for magic. The transition for old to new lends extra potency to spells and potions. As such, some consider it nearly taboo to perform magic on either side of the New Year for fear of what mighty happen. Healers, however, love this time of year, as it brings the best results for their patients and is the only time to brew the most finicky healing potions. As a celebration that happens largely without magic, New Year is one of the most accessible holidays for Muggleborns and their families. Throughout Britain, you will find houses in Muggle communities lighting bonfires in backyards in the hopes of sharing the world that their children inhabit. -- source link

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