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The Year is Still New
January 29, 2025
“Let our New Year's resolution be this: we will be there for one another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word."
~ Goran Persson
The Chinese New Year is upon us (January 29, 2025). One of the most important festivals in Chinese culture, it is celebrated in many countries around the world including Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and many European countries.
Based on a lunisolar calendar, the Chinese New Year begins on the new moon that falls between January 21 and February 20 of the Gregorian calendar. The fifteen-day celebration concludes with a Lantern Festival (February 12, 2025), held on the full moon following the Chinese New Year.
Traditionally, the festival was a time to honor deities and ancestors. Every family would thoroughly clean their house, sweeping away any ill fortune to make way for incoming good luck. In some regions it included the custom of visiting acquaintances’ homes to wish each other a happy new year. Through the years other traditions began: the lighting of firecrackers, sending New Year’s greeting cards, giving gifts of coins to children, eating Chinese dumplings, and (for some people) all-night reveling on New Year's Eve.
Also called the Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year marks the start of spring in the lunisolar calendar - a common concept among many cultures in early times. It roughly coincides with Imbolc (February 1, 2025), a Gaelic festival halfway between the winter solstice and vernal equinox, “when the ewes are milked at spring’s beginning” according to early Irish manuscripts of the tenth century. And to this day the new year of the astrological calendar begins on the spring equinox.
Based on a lunisolar calendar, the Chinese New Year begins on the new moon that falls between January 21 and February 20 of the Gregorian calendar. The fifteen-day celebration concludes with a Lantern Festival (February 12, 2025), held on the full moon following the Chinese New Year.
Traditionally, the festival was a time to honor deities and ancestors. Every family would thoroughly clean their house, sweeping away any ill fortune to make way for incoming good luck. In some regions it included the custom of visiting acquaintances’ homes to wish each other a happy new year. Through the years other traditions began: the lighting of firecrackers, sending New Year’s greeting cards, giving gifts of coins to children, eating Chinese dumplings, and (for some people) all-night reveling on New Year's Eve.
Also called the Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year marks the start of spring in the lunisolar calendar - a common concept among many cultures in early times. It roughly coincides with Imbolc (February 1, 2025), a Gaelic festival halfway between the winter solstice and vernal equinox, “when the ewes are milked at spring’s beginning” according to early Irish manuscripts of the tenth century. And to this day the new year of the astrological calendar begins on the spring equinox.
"And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke
This is all to say, nearly a month after January first, we are still in a season of new beginnings, fresh starts, and renewals. If this winter’s harsh weather has had you burrowing under blankets instead of setting intentions for the year, it’s not too late.
In fact, we’re in the middle of seed catalog season. Now is the perfect time to dream up your seed ideas, design your garden beds, and place your orders with the universe. Before you know it you’ll be sowing, watering, weeding, and readying yourself for the year’s harvest. Make it a good one!
In certain esoteric traditions, the calendar year may be divided into seven equal periods of 52 days, each period having certain qualities, or attributes. And while one’s personal year begins on their birthday, these principles also apply to the calendar year that affects every person on the planet.
According to these teachings, whether you usually celebrate the new year on January 1 or January 28, you are currently in the first of seven periods in 2025. According to H. Spencer Lewis in Self Mastery and Fate with the Cycles of Life, “it is an especially good period to seek favors or honors, help or recognition, from persons who are high in power or high positions….” This sounds a lot like setting intentions, saying prayers, or placing orders with the Universe for the things you will need, to bring your seed ideas to fruition.
I hope these thoughts inspire you to take action toward your goals. I'd like to also recommend a free three-day virtual event with Tony Robbins that’s about to begin: Time to Rise Summit (January 30 – February 1, 2 – 5 pm ET daily). While I consider myself a seasoned manifester, Tony is a master, and I’ll definitely be attending.
Finally, if you need even more inspiration, Inner Compass offers individual sessions to help you navigate major life changes. To discover greater meaning and purpose in life. To explore new-to-you spiritual practices. To develop your intuition. To find fulfilling work and cultivate meaningful relationships. And to heal.
In certain esoteric traditions, the calendar year may be divided into seven equal periods of 52 days, each period having certain qualities, or attributes. And while one’s personal year begins on their birthday, these principles also apply to the calendar year that affects every person on the planet.
According to these teachings, whether you usually celebrate the new year on January 1 or January 28, you are currently in the first of seven periods in 2025. According to H. Spencer Lewis in Self Mastery and Fate with the Cycles of Life, “it is an especially good period to seek favors or honors, help or recognition, from persons who are high in power or high positions….” This sounds a lot like setting intentions, saying prayers, or placing orders with the Universe for the things you will need, to bring your seed ideas to fruition.
I hope these thoughts inspire you to take action toward your goals. I'd like to also recommend a free three-day virtual event with Tony Robbins that’s about to begin: Time to Rise Summit (January 30 – February 1, 2 – 5 pm ET daily). While I consider myself a seasoned manifester, Tony is a master, and I’ll definitely be attending.
Finally, if you need even more inspiration, Inner Compass offers individual sessions to help you navigate major life changes. To discover greater meaning and purpose in life. To explore new-to-you spiritual practices. To develop your intuition. To find fulfilling work and cultivate meaningful relationships. And to heal.