The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

This is a ritual that is used to celebrate Christmas. It is
done on January 7 after the mass at the greek orthodox
catholic church where the parish was primarily slavic. The
reception takes place with a big feast where everyone dines
together. Following the meal the alter boys walk through the
isles of the tables and spread hay down for the highest priest
at the parish to walk on. The priest then goes down the path
of hay throwing a nut mixture at the people by the handful,
each nut a person collects means something different for the
new year to come.

Submitter comment: The informant did not know what the nuts meant except a walnut
meant great prosperity, but their were also acorns and peanuts
and a few other types being tossed.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1900