We’re now in a period of time that my household refers to as twixmas. The Winter Solstice celebrations are complete, Christmas Day has been and gone, but the New Year has yet to arrive. This time period- when the days loose meaning and we’re wrapped in celebrations, surrounded by food and loved ones, I find I need to take a moment to remind myself to honour the cycles of nature and the rhythms of life. The New Year offers such a beautiful opportunity to set our intentions and align with the energy of this shiny newness of a new year when there is so much potential and opportunity, but it arrives during the heart of Winter- a season of rest, of pause and of stillness.
Winter, with its crisp air and its frost mornings, speaks of an ancient wisdom our ancestors lived by:
to slow down, reflect, and embrace stillness.
By embracing the energy of both the Winter and the New Year though, we can create a harmonious and intentional beginning of the year.
Of course, this newness energy can spread over more than just the calendar New Year. Samhain is referred to as the Witches New Year, and Spring, along with the Aries Season, is the start of the new growing season. The energy of new, of potential, of promise and renewal, can come to us at any point between those dates. If you’re not feeling the New Year as 2024 becomes 2025, that’s okay. Living with the seasons means honouring your own intuition.
The Harmony Between New Beginnings and Winter’s Wisdom.
When we allow the energies of Winter and the New Year to co-exist, we create an intentional and grounded transition into the year ahead of us.
Reflection Before Action.
Winter’s wisdom tells us that only in the quiet and stillness do we begin to grow. A seed, nestled deep in the earth, cocooned and protected, begins to grow as the weather warms. When we embrace the dormancy that seeds also start in, our dreams become nurtured- and begin to grow. So take this time to reflect on the past year, and to dream in your new year.
Setting Intentions with Patience.
I’m not one to set resolutions (you can read more about that on my blog post here) instead I allow myself to explore what matters to me and aligns with my life. I embrace the slower pace of Winter and set intentions that manifest into goals.
Finding Beauty in Rest.
Whilst we’re swept up in the festivities of the Winter Solstice and Christmas, Winter holds the boundary of rest. We don’t have to be productive all the time. We’re allowed to rest- so give yourself permission to have moments of stillness. Use those moments to dream with intention, and begin to call in what your next year will look like.
Rituals to Welcome the New Year in Tune with Winter.
To align with both the energy of the new year and embrace the lesson’s of Winter, consider weaving these practices as we transition from one year to the next. Connect with the rhythms of this time of year, embracing the guidance, stillness and possibilities that are beginning to be nourished.
A Candle Meditation.
Light a candle and sit in quiet contemplation. Reflect on the light you wish to cultivate in the next 12 months, allowing the flame to symbolize your hope and inspiration, as well as the strengthening sun that gradually makes the days longer.
Winter Journaling.
Begin honouring this rhythm by reflecting on the past year. Review what’s happened in the last 12 months- look at pictures you took, books you read, things you watched, places you went.
- What brought me joy and fulfillment over the last 12 months?
- What challenges helped me grow?
- What do I feel called to release before stepping into the new year?
- What seeds of intention am I ready to plant?
Create a Winter Vision Board.
Instead of focusing on action-based goals during this time of dreaming and seeding, create a vision-board that represents the things you’re currently dreaming- how you want to feel, the energy you will embody, and the intentions you’re inviting into your life.
Nature Walks with Purpose.
Embrace the beauty of this Winter season by being outside. A mindful walk will allow the quiet of winter’s landscape to inspire calmness and clarity in your mind and spirit. Wrap up warm and go to where calls you- your local nature reserve, the beach (this is where I’ll be heading!), the forest, or the hills. If you can’t get out to those places, connect with your garden.
The Gift of a Gentle Start.
The beauty of welcoming the New Year with Winter’s energy is that it allows for a deeply and truly authentic connection to your goals and intentions. There is no rush- the year unfolds like the seasons, one phase at a time. The next 12 months are yours to shape, so nourish yourself in heart and soul to begin bringing your dreams into intentions and goals.
By aligning your intentions with the natural rhythms of Winter, you honour both the potential of the New Year and the stillness of Winter. January is a time to dream deeply, reflect often, and begin anew with intention and wisdom. Embrace it.
Happy New Year to you all, and may your 2025 be as magickal as you are.