Happy New Year
Beginnings and Endings
Over the centuries there have been a host of dates that represent “New Year’s Day”. The Egyptians began their new year on the fall equinox and the Greeks turned the calendar at the winter solstice.
When Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar in 46BC, he named January 1 as the first day of the year. This made a lot of sense as the month, Januarius, is named for the god, Janus. Janus boasts two faces, one looking to the past the other to the future.
During medieval times, European Christians chose the Feast of the Annunciation (March 25th) to kick off a new year. However, in 1582 Pope Gregory XIII reestablished January 1st and that pretty much brought the matter to a close for the Western World.
Now for the personal part, I am always a bit melancholy around this time of the year. I’d like to change that. How do I put an end to my annual blahs for the first few weeks of the year? To alter that patten, I have turned to a few friends for help. I’ve asked if they have any traditions or rituals that set them up for a positive start to the new year.
I love what they told me.
Let’s start with Granny Annie, in Aukland, NZ. The Kiwis are the first to welcome New Year’s Day; they should be experts! Granny Annie confides that it’s been a while since she rang in the new year, but she did share some of the traditions from here childhood. When Granny Annie was 4 or 5 years-old in the North of England, Newcastle, she remembers a house full of family and friends. As midnight approached, they gathered around the kitchen table and sang, not together, but karaoke style. She remembers one song in particular was “I’ll take you home again, Kathleen”. (Having listened to Johnny Cash’s rendition of this 19th Century ballad, I think Granny Annie’s family might have started the year a bit melancholy too.) Granny Annie also told me about “first foot” which is the notion that the fortune of the household is determined by whoever is the first to set foot on the home’s threshold in the new year. According to Granny Annie the “first footer” would bring in a lump of coal and bread, so that the house would be warm and have plenty of food for the whole year.
Lisa D. and her husband happily inherited hosting an annual family gathering that began 45 years ago. Every year the extended family celebrates around a table loaded with appetizers, the indispensables edibles are Hoppin’ John and Chocolate Fondue. This group only sees each other on New Year’s Eve. At the end of the night (which comes earlier than in the past), everyone raises a glass to those who passed since they were last together and toasts the new year. Lisa said, “We have seen children grow up, older folks pass on, and new loves brought into the family through dating and marriage. It’s a fun night.”
Anne T., author and executive coach in London, meets with a friend in the first few days of the new year and reviews the highs and lows; the learnings, both personally and professionally; comparing goals to actuals. Anne said, as they look toward the next year, they think of what they “want to do/achieve and how we want to be (ways of being)”. They draw an image and write the words. This becomes their vision for the coming year.
Anne A. in California has a new tradition. This year will be the second annual gathering of close friends where each person shares one dream they want to come to fruition in the coming year. These friends not only hold each other accountable, but actively look for ways to help one another make their goals a reality.
Nancy S., my tall mystery writer friend, in North Carolina has gone to a college friend’s New Year’s Eve party for 25 years. She said the parties have gone from rowdy celebrations boasting “fireworks, drunks and loud conversations” to a “more civilized celebration”. As the party has become more sedate, the one-on-one or small group conversations have become more meaningful.
Amber S., poet and educator, in Nashville makes a week of starting the year off right. She uses the week between Christmas and New Year to “read, look at art and create". She reminds herself of her creative potential. She also creates 3 lists, (1) lessons learned in the previous year (2) things she needs “in the here and now to thrive” (3) goals for the new year.
My friends have given me a lot to think about. I’m grateful to them for sharing their customs and Caesar for appointing a time to look back and look forward. Happy New Year!