Reflections from Cold America
By The Deathwives
I’ve never felt renewal in early January.
January feels like relief that the holidays are over, with some new family memories if we are fortunate. January feels like “brrrrr” and “I need to make money.” For many people, January 1st feels like “where’s the advil?” (or, “I'm so glad I didn't drink last night”). This year, as we look beyond our insular families to our kin across the sea, January feels like “I am privileged and grateful that I had a warm home/meal/community to be with this season” and “I am so sorry you didn't”. January cannot take one more Christmas song.
The Roman King Numa (c. 715–673 BCE) revised the Roman republican calendar so that January replaced March as the first month of the calendar year. It is rumored this is because January was named for Janus - the Roman god of all beginnings and March was named after Mars - the god of war. *
At its best, January may offer moments of glimmering renewal in the wake of fresh snow. Shimmery powder-lined land, unstained. Child-like awe as we stand at our doors from inside of a snow globe. Just as quickly as it comes the awe is gone. Sloppy boots and tire tracks across the city, picture perfect never lasts.
Many cultures observe the new year in the spring, when nature awakens, and many others in the fall during the time of the harvest. If winter isn't motivating you to bloom, you’re not alone. Here are some examples of other cultures who observe the New Years’ tradition at different times and in different ways.
February 8th
The Chinese New Year (AKA Spring Festival or Lunar New Year) signifies the beginning of the spring harvest season or Spring Equinox.
Korean New Year is a three-day holiday where families give thanks for the bounty of the past year. Many dress up in colorful traditional clothing called hanbok, others perform an ancient tea ceremony.
March 9
The Balinese New Year is called Nyepi, and it marks the first day of the lunar-based Saka Calendar. Rather than being centered around celebration, Nyepi is a day of self-reflection and rest. Most of the island is closed on this day. However the eve of Nyepi is celebrated with fireworks and rituals.
March 20
The Iranian / Persian New Year is called Nowruz and is a celebration of the returning spring. The date coincides with the Northward Equinox and is typically celebrated with trumpets (!!!) to herald in the new year. Families dye eggs in bright colors, and pots are filled with sprouting grains, both to signify growth for the coming year. A traditional “spring cleaning” is done by days end.
April 8
The Ugaadhi New Year is observed by the southern Indian states of Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, and is scheduled alongside their lunar-based calendar. The day is celebrated with sweets, fireworks, and new clothes.
October 2-4
Rosh Hashanah is a two-day holiday from Oct 2-4. Observed by Orthodox Jews, The New Year festival includes rituals performed both for fanfare and with quiet introspection in mind. It is believed that through quiet observation, God may decide their fate for the following year.
October 3
The Islamic New Year is also the first day of Muharram, which is the first month of the Muslim Calendar and celebrates the Hijra. The holiday is celebrated by Muslims the world over. According to the Muslim Calendar each day begins at sunset, and so, the New Year itself is ushered in by the first sighting of the moon.
October 30
Diwali means “the Festival of Lights”. It is a major holiday that is celebrated by Hindu, Sikhs, and Jains the world over. For some of them (particularly the Marwari and Gujarati communities in North India) Diwali marks the official start of their new year. These communities celebrate the day by giving thanks to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
While the flowers aren’t blooming, remember the wisdom of the seed.
When clocks have more night than day, remember the life-giving sun.
While you witness decay, remember the promise of renewal.
Water it with your tears.
Sources
https://www.britannica.com/story/why-does-the-new-year-start-on-january-1
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/11-cultures-that-dont-celebrate-new-years-day-on-jan-1/nsmaojbot
