As the New Year celebrations approach I thought we would take a look at the Okera-Mairi Festival.  This takes place at the Yasaka-jinja Shrine in Kyoto in Japan every New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.  Fires are lit around the Shrine to medicinal herb’s roots called, Atractylis Ovata.  This symbolises the casting away of evil energy from the past year and warding in blessings of longevity for the coming year.  In attendance are beautifully dressed shrine maidens with the priests donning their elegant white robes all adding to the spiritual symbolism of this most prestigious of festivals.

Many of those attending the festival carry embers from the ceremonial fires to take to their homes to set their own home New Year fires.  They buy a thin straw rope which enables them to carry the life of the fire  from the shrine fires.  These ropes, which burn very slowly, can be quite expensive to purchase, but everybody needs to get one in order to light their home fires and the spiritual blessings they bestow. This is viewed as a small price to pay for a year of peace.  They believe that if you light your altars at home with these embers, and prepare a special chicken and vegetable broth called Zoni, then this will bring you a year of peace.

Once you have taken your embers from the ceremonial fires you can enjoy a pleasant walk through the park and the many stalls where you can pick up some great food such as sausages, candy floss and toffee apples.  In addition there are stalls selling holy arrows, amulets and great food as well.

Happy New Year!