Decorating homes with holly and evergreens this time of year dates back to the Roman Saturnalia. On December 19 the Romans celebrated Ops, the goddess of abundance, with holly and evergreen boughs. They gave their friends sprigs of holly for good luck. Pinch off a holly leaf and carry it in your pocket for good luck. Men carry the prickly (male) leaves; women, the smooth (female) leaves. Gather holly branches and decorate your home for good luck. The evil spirits of winter will snag in their jagged leaves. In silence, pluck nine holly leaves and wrap them in a white cloth. Tie the cloth in nine knots and place under your pillow tonight and your dreams will come true. Folk wisdom states that all holly and Yule greenery must be cleared out of your home by Twelfth Night, January 6. For every pine needle left in the home, one goblin can enter. It's also considered bad luck to burn holly leaves.
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