January has a way of making people feel like they should already know their direction, their Souls purpose, and what the year ahead is asking of them.
If you feel unsure or not particularly inspired right now, nothing has gone wrong.
I’m delighted to report that you’re not ‘behind’.
In fact, the world is probably a little early.
When Did the Celtic Year Even Begin?
If the Celts celebrated a New Year (and honestly, we don’t know if they did) it likely happened around the Spring Equinox. There’s some evidence pointing to late March, around the 25th. There is some although less evidence for winter solstice being new year. And despite what you’ll read in a thousand blog posts, there’s no evidence it was at Samhain.
We just don’t know.
So if January 1st doesn’t feel like a New Year to you, trust that.
Your body and spirit might be picking up on something older than the Gregorian calendar. The energy of beginning doesn’t arrive just because we flip a page on the calendar, am I right?!
It comes when the land says so, and when you can feel it in your bones.
We’re Still in the North
Whether we’re talking about a Celtic new year or not, the fact remains: we’re still deep in Winter in the North of the Wheel (which doesn’t end until Imbolc in early Feb).
Right now, in early January, we’re still in the dark. This isn’t the time for full-blown action and clarity.
It’s still the feminine time for rest, dreaming, and letting things form in the mystic dark.
Seeds don’t apologise for staying in the soil through winter. They’re doing exactly what they need to do. It annoys me a little that our culture tries to hustle us in the masculine half of the year 5 months early 🫠`
If you’re feeling the pressure to have it all figured out by mid-January, you might trying to skip a season. You’re asking Late Spring/Early Summer energy from a Winter body.
So What Do You Do Instead?
Notice what’s stirring underneath and pay attention to what keeps showing up in your thoughts and dreams. I find this time of year highly creative, like the world is a little quieter and more gets through. Let yourself be in the dark IN YOUR OWN WAY and most importantly, never mind what anyone else has to say on the subject 😍
The new year will come when it comes, whether that’s 1st Jan (which is great if you feel it then), Imbolc, or the Spring Equinox, or whenever your spirits tells you it’s time.