It’s nearing the end of January, and if you had a New Year’s resolution you’re very likely to have forgotten or given up on it. It’s nearly February, and it still feels like dull winter. Personally, I didn’t feel like the new year changed much. We still have the same problems, it’s still a cold and wet winter, and as of now we’re in the midst of a government shutdown (give it up for day 34! This is the longest shutdown in US history!). It feels like the opposite of a new beginning.
Really, we shouldn’t have such a big celebration over what’s basically just changing the calendar.It made a lot more sense when people used to have winter solstice celebrations and midwinter celebrations. In the US, solstice celebrations aren’t that widespread anymore. We’re more likely to say “oh, it’s the shortest day of the year,” and move on. But other cultures concentrate more on the shortest day of the year as a turning point and celebrate it. From Stonehenge to ancient Rome to Pagan traditions to Iranian celebrations and Indian festivals, cultures around the world have celebrated the Solstice or midwinter in various ways. Their celebrations during the darkest days of the year were a reminder that winter would pass and a new spring would come. A sun deity is often involved in these celebrations, dying or being reborn. There are many parallels here to Christianity, which is part of why Christmas is in midwinter.
But now it’s late January, and winter is dragging on. It’s getting a bit dreary. You might wish it was summer, or you might be one of those weirdos who enjoys winter and loves shoveling snow and slipping on ice. Either way, don’t get too down about it. If you were hoping that the new year would be time for a change, you still have time to make that change. It won’t happen all at once. It’ll come like spring appears: in little bits, until you suddenly notice that it’s here. So try not to get down in the dumps. The sun will come back in a few months, and it’ll be warm again. Until then, light some candles or something. Just don’t burn your house down, alright?