I am embracing “gentle” January, and so should you.
We are “wintering” right now. Even though western society has come to know January 1st as this epic day, where once the calendar flips to the next year in print we are automatically supposed to be full of vigour, commitment and forward momentum. But this just doesn't make sense nor aligns. Let me tell you why.
New Year's Day as most of us know it is as, is a man-made construct, an arbitrary assignment of a day in the Gregorian calendar to honour the Roman God Janus who represents new beginnings. Our society follows a solar calendar which reflects the masculine energy of doing, doing, doing. It goes against the innate cycle of the seasons and the energy of the sacred dark that many of us find ourselves in during the month of January in the Northern Hemisphere. Is this wrong? Not necessarily. But it is certainly one-sided, misaligned and incomplete for the rhythm of living with the cycles of our natural world.
In the Celtic Wheel of the Year we honour the “New Year” at Samhain, the traditional first day of winter when the harvest is complete and we descend into the magic of longer nights for rest and rejuvenation. The Lunar New Year follows the cycles of the moon, with most Asian countries observing this celebration on the first New Moon after 12 months have passed. Astrological New Year falls at Ostara/Spring Equinox when we enter the sign of Aries which brings new life and forward movement to brighter days.
So which should we honour and observe? Well, that is really up to you. I think the question is more which feels natural and flows with the cycles of life? When you take that question into consideration it absolutely doesn't make sense to start January 1st as the day we jump back into full swing, make a list of resolutions or goals an arm long or decide that this is the day everything changes. Just look outside. Winter has brought a deep slumber to our natural world and we are part of that.
I am embracing “gentle” January, and so should you. This is a time for dreaming, of nesting and resting, of deep sleeping. It's a time to nourish and nurture, to steep and be. Nature demands it. Our bodily cycles crave it. And our hearts and spirits will be ever thankful for it if you did.
2026 is bringing big energy, I mean BIG! It's a 1 year in numerology with 1/1/1 being a very potent portal energetically. There are huge transits happening with Saturn and Neptune moving into Aries and so much more. But there is plenty of time to gear up for the changes that are coming and for the heat of the flame that the Fire Horse will bring on February 17th with Lunar New Year. For now, the year of the snake is still asking for shedding, denning and stillness. The winter is beckoning for you to do less, not more. To be slow, not fast … for there is season for everything and the time now is to cocoon, soften, let go and prepare for what is to come. Trust me, you will need this deep rest so you can gallop into spring at full speed.
Blessings to you as we say hello to 2026 … let's do it gently, peacefully and slowly.
Let gentle January begin … xox
