January is almost over, and the year 2026 has now begun. And it began like all the others, with problems and hopes. But the beauty of certain narratives, especially in Sicily, is that they link life’s events to “luck”. In ancient times, there was an almost blind faith in fate, which was inevitable, and the only thing one could do to bend it in one’s favor was to perform superstitious rituals. Even on Mount Etna, New Year’s Eve once included certain actions to change one’s fortune.
Salt and oil
The villages on Etna, in the past, loved to begin the year with the “cacciata d’a ucchiatura,” or the banishment of the evil eye. An expert in esoteric rituals would come to the home and whisper specific formulas (usually between Christmas and New Year’s), predicting the fate of the house with stains. Oil would be poured into a dish, then randomly sprinkled with salt and observed for reactions: the drops that remained together and compact represented protection that would banish bad luck from the house.
The Direction of the Fire
The custom of lighting bonfires during the Christmas holidays, particularly in the towns around Catania and on Mount Etna, is closely linked to the symbol of the flame as a symbol of purification. From these bonfires, farmers could “read their fate.” The direction of the flames determined whether the harvest (and therefore the year) would be prosperous or not. According to some traditions, however, it was the direction of the smoke that revealed the outcome of one’s fortune.
Wine for the Volcano
Leaving a glass of good wine on the lava flow (sciara) or pouring some of it on the rock was another popular superstitious ritual among the inhabitants of Etna. If the “offering of wine” served to curry favor with the volcano—the element that decided life and death—as a symbol of destiny, the practice became even more important when it was erupting. The tradition of “leaving wine to Etna” was still in effect until a few years ago… when, during the perfect eruption of 2001, lava from the vents that opened at Piano Provenzana destroyed shops and tourist facilities. The owners, after emptying their premises, left only a set table in the center, with a bottle of wine and a glass on it. An offering of peace to calm the fury of the mountain and restore good fortune to its usual balance.
New Year’s Rituals Today
Today’s rituals are diverse and often tied to the traditions of individual families. The “communal” aspect of these customs is now disappearing, but some gestures remain that are passed down from generation to generation.
It’s no longer about “magic” or “formulas,” but about very modern habits: for example, starting the year in a mountain hut—to ensure excellent mountain hikes in the months to come; or starting the year with a hike on the best trails; or even starting the year with an ascent to the summit craters. For some families, “the first picnic of the year” is a must, even if there’s deep snow and ice on the road! For others, the ritual is a coffee at the Rifugio Sapienza or a hot punch at Piano Provenzana.
These rituals are much more affordable and certainly fun. Who among you has experienced at least one?