The Year Was 2023
As the years pass, and the wheel continues to turn; I find myself seeing more inclusionary observances for major holidays, especially in the United States.
Of course I could go into detail about how the origin of so many holidays has been stolen or adopted, but I feel like I’d just be regurgitating other blogs I’ve seen every year that pop up.
So, instead i’d like to share the common thread between different religions in regard to how they observe each new year.
For Christians, the new year often coincides with the celebration of Christmas, which marks the birth of Jesus. Many Christians attend church services, exchange gifts, and participate in other traditions to mark the holiday.
For Jews, the new year is marked by the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, which typically falls in September or October. This holiday involves the blowing of the shofar (a ram's horn), the eating of sweet foods, and the recitation of prayers.
For Hindus, the new year is marked by the holiday of Diwali, which is typically celebrated in October or November. This holiday involves the lighting of lamps and candles, the exchange of sweets and gifts, and the performance of religious rituals.
For Muslims, the new year is marked by the beginning of the Islamic calendar, which is based on the lunar cycle. This new year, known as Muharram, is a time for prayer and reflection, and is sometimes marked by processions and other public gatherings.
For Buddhists, the new year is typically marked by the holiday of Vesak, which falls in April or May. This holiday involves the celebration of the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death, and may involve the observance of special rituals, the exchange of gifts, and the donation of food and other goods to the poor.
Again, it is important to note that these are just a few examples, and that different religions and cultural traditions may celebrate the new year in different ways.
What about all the witches though?
I asked myself to really think about this as well, and I realized that each witch can offer a different answer!
It is difficult to generalize about how witches celebrate the new year, as there is a wide range of beliefs and practices within the umbrella of contemporary witchcraft. Some witches may choose to celebrate the new year in a way that is similar to how people of other spiritualities or cultural traditions celebrate it, while others may have more specific rituals and practices that are unique to their tradition or path.
That being said, some common themes that may be present in the new year celebrations of witches include:
Reflecting on the past year and setting intentions for the new year.
Performing divination or other forms of spiritual inquiry to gain insight into the coming year.
Engaging in rituals to honor the changing of the seasons or to mark the turning of the calendar year.
Working with correspondences or symbolism associated with the new year, such as using specific herbs, crystals, or colors.
Connecting with the natural world and the cycles of the earth.
It is important to note that these are just a few examples, and that the ways in which witches celebrate the new year can vary greatly depending on their individual beliefs and practices. It is also important to recognize that the portrayal of witches and witchcraft in media and popular culture does not always accurately reflect the beliefs and practices of contemporary witches.
Therein lies the intricate and beautiful ingredients of witchcraft offers to anyone seeking it!
Your personal relationship to your spiritual path is reliant upon you as an individual.
So try not to be overly critical of yourself when it comes to what you can or cannot do.
We all take time to find our spiritual foundation and practice(s).
May the spirits guide you, protect you, and keep you.
Happy New Year!
-ZTW 2022/2023