Seanan McGuire (seanan_mcguire) wrote,
Seanan McGuire
seanan_mcguire
  • Mood: thoughtful
  • Music: Glee, "Start Me Up."

Happy New Year! Wheel in the sky keeps on turning...

Officially, for the current dominant culture of the country where I live, the new year begins on January 1st. I don't really remember when I started celebrating the new year on November 1st, as dictated by the Wiccan calendar; it's just the time that feels right to me. Harvest is ending. We're sliding into the long winter, time for contemplation, renewal, and preparing to face the spring. I like the idea that we can start the year with a nice, long, blanket-swaddled nap. So happy new year, from my calendar to yours.

This past year has been absolutely insane. High points have included doing the San Diego International Comic Convention with my two best girls, publishing not one, but three books, under two different names, trips to Georgia, New York, Ohio, Michigan, Washington, and other places too numerous to name, winning two Pegasus awards, and finishing two more books. It's a good thing I don't like holding still when I don't have to, I guess. Low points have included exhaustion, travel woes, illness, and throwing my back out. On the balance, I'm calling it a win.

Whether today is the beginning of your year, the beginning of your holiday season, or just another Tuesday, I wish all the best to you and yours. May your days be sweet, your fires be warm, and your skies be filled with stars.

Happy New Year.
Tags: contemplation, having a life
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  • 53 comments

meggins

November 2 2011, 04:57:27 UTC 5 years ago

I never liked the January 1st new year, and I usually love holidays. It always felt artificial to me. I was never fond of resolutions either. Finally stopped making them a few years ago. For me, the "new" year really began in September because of the academic calendar. I much more looked forward to a new school year than a numberical one.

Then I found out that once upon a time the year began in April until it was, yes, artificially changed (giving us the April fools, those people who didn't want to make the switch). I could buy a new year in spring when the earth is opening up.

Later I learned about Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year which always falls in September or early October, which is not far off from my school-days new year. Then, finally, I discovered the Druid/Celtic/Wiccan observation of the new year on Nov. 1st. This I also liked. Unlike many people I enjoy the dark time of year. I am not a summer child. So anything that celebrates "my time" as a starting point is okay by me.

seanan_mcguire

November 7 2011, 22:28:35 UTC 5 years ago

I like this logic. :)