New beginnings

I always liked the idea of a "new year." But I never understood why our new year fell on January 1st. Once I began to study different cultures, I found I preferred a seasonal calendar. It made more sense that the year began the day after Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, because the next day, the light slowly returns.

So, as an adult, I practice my new year then. and then again on my birthday, which is more officially my "new year."

But I think that really, we all just want to feel like we have a fresh start. New Year's eve/day is only as powerful as you allow it to be, just like anything. We put so much intention and "resolution" into that day and for many people, they do make profound change.

Sometimes it lasts, sometimes it doesn't.

So I like the idea of getting to make a new start more often than once a year.

Which is why I have decided my most favorite calendar is the lunar calendar. We get a fresh start every 28 days and the cycle is very specific for how to rise and fall with it.

This year the new moon is January 4th, so fairly close to the traditional "new year." and it feels different. After a few years of closely following the moon, I feel the dark moon time right now. The time where things are closing, ending, waning. and the only thing that can happen next is opening, expanding. Because that is the essence of life. begin and end, wax and wane, new and full. There is always the opportunity to let something go and there is always time for rebirth.

So whether you celebrate the new moon, the solstice, the new year or simply your own birthday, may you experience beautiful re-birth of possibilities and be filled with the freshness needed to keep your intent.

and if you wane or waver, don't be afraid to start again.

There is always a new beginning in some calendar.