or AUGILLANEUF, a form of rejoicing used among the ancient Franks on the first day of the year. The word is compounded of the French A, to, gui, mistletoe, and l'an neuf; the new year. Its origin is traced from a druid ceremony: the priests used to go yearly in December, which with them was reputed a sacred month, to gather mistletoe of the oak, in great solemnity. The prophets marched in the front, singing hymns in honour of their deities; after them came a herald with a caduceus in his hand; these were followed by three druids abreast, bearing the things necessary for sacrifice; last of all came the chief or arch druid, accompanied with the train of people. The chief druid, climbing the oak, cut off the mistletoe with a golden sickle, and the other druids received it in a white cloth. On the first day of the year it was distributed among the people, after having blessed and consecrated it by crying A gui l'an neuf, to proclaim the new year.