What is your routine for bringing in the new year?

[kimmerspixelated]

Will you stick to your tradition, or try something new?

I don't mean, have champagne and fall asleep, or decide not to make/ or not make a resolution...

I am wondering if you have a specific spiritual ritual you honor.

[LWolf]

1. I go to bed about 10 PM,

thankful that I'm living rurally and there won't be loud noises to scare the dog and cat and keep me up.

I honor the new year on the solstice, which is truly the turning point in my year; knowing that I've survived the dark to that point, and that the light will be returning. That's a literal concern, as well as metaphorical and spiritual. I don't see my 6 acres or horses or chickens or sheep in the light of day all week long, and generally only have 1+ days a week I'm at home during daylight to see to the place. I look forward to the return of the light, and the chance to see home, and do barn chores, with the sun.

I don't have a particular ritual for solstice, but I try to have the winter cleaning done by then. That day, I'll keep a fire burning, use some essential oil in the pot of water on the wood stove, and dive into making gifts for friends and family; usually with my grandson. If there is time, we'll also make ornaments, or bake cookies, or make gingerbread, or play board games, or read stories, listen to winter music, any of the above that we can fit in. It's a quiet celebration. We talk of how the year has gone, what our hopes are for the coming year.

Sometimes I do this by myself, sometimes with my grandson. When my sons were growing up, we did the same together, and decorated the living tree that would be planted out doors on the 26th.

The calendar year? I don't notice it, other than sternly reminding myself to write the new year when I write the date.

This year it was suggested that I stop by my son's and spend some time with his family, which I may do. Of course, I'll have to be home in daylight for barn chores and because I liked to be home, done, and cozy by sundown.

[BlueToTheBone]

23. Welcome the ASAH LWolf!

Don't you just love the dark of the sky and the brilliance of the stars and the cycles of the Earth? I don't know if I could live in a city again.
Happy New Year! May this be the Flourishing Year for the Spirit

[LWolf]

24. I hope this year will be a turning point,

that I, and the rest of those who have struggled like me, will begin climbing out of hard times.

I DO love the dark of the sky, the stars, and the cycles of the earth. I love that our rural roads don't have street lights, that we allow the dark to be dark. I wish my work schedule fit the seasonal cycles of light; that's something I've never adjusted to, working from dark to dark and constant exhaustion during the winter.

[Scuba]

2. In the old days, we called it "amateur night" and stayed home ....

... now I'm in bed long before the planet rotates to that arbitrary position.

[FirstLight]

3. well...

if i have the wherewithall, I like to light a candle and make a wish...but that's also a Bday thing

(...fifteen seconds after midnight, i always count the extra 15 after the ball drops and THEN toast lol )

The last couple years I have also built a 'goodbye fire' and let go of old stuff...i even burned my ancient journals from jr. high one time...this year I am burning the old pics of old boyfriends or ex husbands any thing that is relationship related, releasing the past as efficiently as i can, and welcoming in new LOVE and love of SELF!!!

[BlueIris]

9. Nice.

I really like the idea of a goodbye fire.

[Lucinda]

4. I always try to manage to be on my own at midnight.

I like to set the tone for the new year with the way I end the old one. Music, meditation.... whatever I am drawn to each year.

[kimmerspixelated]

5. Yes, I can sure appreciate

the aloneness at midnight. For most of my married life it was always a date night. The last few estranged years ... maybe a bit of bubbly, after naps. They used to play the Thin Man or The Marx brothers movies on TCM, setting the mood for comfort and humor while settling in for a nice winter's sleep. Not sure how the stage will be set. But I will certainly have things arranged for major candles, lavendar salt baths, and meditative music. Maybe some kind of velvety variations while dreaming big leading up to leverage the universe, swinging that pendulum of purpose opening my heart to the most brilliant and fantastic of possibilities.

Kimmers IN the building.

[Tsiyu]

6. For the past ten years my youngest son and I (and sometimes friends

or another sibling) have stayed home, made Pizza Fritta, banged pots and pans at midnight and basically stayed near the animals until the fireworks/gun salutes ended.

This year is kind of sad, because I can't afford to go get him and his car is not running. One of his older brothers may bring him here for me. I am really hoping that works out. A few weeks ago he told me how much he was looking forward to our tradition.

My best friend and her boyfriend (my bandmate) invited me for New Years last night, and I may have to break tradition and go out to their cabin in the woods. I just hate driving on New Years with all the amateurs.

New Years Day is more Pizza Fritta and the traditional Italian lentil soup (kale for the youngest.)

Nice to hear about everyone's traditions. Thanks for the thread, kp

[kimmerspixelated]

11. NO problem, I hope everything

works out the way you want it to.

[Howler]

7. Usally we go to a party but this year

Mr Howler and I want to stay in and snuggle with our girls!

I have a basket and all night as we think about what we would like to have in our life or for the world will be written on a small slip of paper folded and put into the basket.

Ditto what we would like to discard too.

At midnight I will go outside offer it to the four directions then burn the slips of papers.
Thank the Tao,Mother earth.

[kimmerspixelated]

18. Can you use tote bags? Does it have to be baskets?

Suddenly, I'm laughing thinking that you might think I have a lot to fill either with, but the two I have in mind are key. One is trashy-like an old rice bag, the other is from a favorite place.

HAHAHAHA!

[Howler]

19. Use anything you like Kimmerspixelated.

Make it your own .

[Kind of Blue]

8. Oil, Salt and Honey

At midnight we have 3 small bowls - one for oil, for salt, and last one for honey.
The tradition goes:

Oil - as smooth as the taste of oil, so will life be smooth this year in the name of a deity of choice.

Salt - for spice in life - but I've learned to be careful with this one and will ask for only spice I can handle

Honey - for life to be as smooth and sweet as honey.

I forgot champagne and some for spilling on the floor in honor of those no longer with us. This is always done at home because we don't go out on New Year's Eve. Which is another tradition that what you're doing before the stroke of midnight is what you'll be doing next year. So being cozily at home with loved ones is our ideal. Then everybody starts calling everybody else up to wish a Happy New Year

[BlueIris]

10. Really nice!

I think that idea is splendid.

[Kind of Blue]

13. Thanks, BlueIris!

It makes waking up or staying up for me fun, when I'd rather just sleep! (((hug)))

[BlueIris]

22. I'm stealing this traditon, too, BTW.

I picked up some apricot oil, clover honey and Himalayan salt at the stores tonight, which will be paired with a green candle for health and an orange candle for good housing. I'm really excited!

[kimmerspixelated]

12. How much do you put in the bowls?

DO you also taste a little bit of them?

Salt/spice. What is your example for spice?

This is really cool.

Thanks for sharing, ya'll!

I am making notes of everyone's ideas.

[Kind of Blue]

14. Hey, Kimmers!

I forgot to add that you dip a finger in each bowl and lick it off as you incant your wishes. Just a small amount in each bowl - there's always so much left over.
We've always used salt though I'd rather use Italian seasoning

[kimmerspixelated]

15. Coolsville.

I am definitely going to do this. Thanks, ma dear!

[Kind of Blue]

16. Now, that's coolsville!

It is an honor to add to your traditions, Kimmers

[kimmerspixelated]

17. O wow, I may cry!

Made my day!

[Kind of Blue]

20. ...

We're going to have a great new year with everything we've set in motion spiritually this year coming true one by one. Love Ya!

[kimmerspixelated]

21. Oh, Yeah!

I feel it already. I'm pumped, because I get to celebrate the way I wished! And... it's happening, all the good stuff is already here! Wonderful new year for you too, my dear!