Bringing in the Light for 2021
/Coming to the end of such a tough, transformative year, celebrating a new beginning may be more important than ever. Although the first of January is a calendar event, we could see it as part of a continuum that goes from the Winter Solstice to the end of December. Since early humans first noticed the sun cycles of light to dark and dark to light, this time of year has brought people together to celebrate connection and renewal. Today, the rituals of Winter Solstice, Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, and Diwali all have one thing in common: bringing in the Light.
Like many, my family couldn’t wait to bring in the Light this year. We got a Christmas tree early and festooned it with colorful lights and baubles. We lit candles each night at the dinner table and sang our Advent song. We watched the evening sky as Jupiter and Saturn crept closer and closer together, cheering their conjunction on the Winter Solstice. Then we did an old hippie ceremony and wrote out the things we’d like to leave behind, tossing them one by one into the fireplace. My eight-year-old grandson wrote the number 2020 on his piece of paper. Afterwards, we thought about what we’d like to bring into our lives for the coming year, holding hands to empower our individual wishes with the intention of the collective.
Marking various life transitions in ritualistic ways is a distinct feature of human culture. Throughout history, our various tribes have come together to celebrate traditions, affirm connection and assure continuity. This practice benefits both the community and the individual. Although it’s unclear exactly why, participating in even the smallest ritual seems to reduce anxiety and increase self-confidence… even for people who don’t believe! Saul Levine, MD, author of Our Emotional Footprint: Ordinary People and Their Extra-Ordinary Lives, suggests that this is because celebrating traditions fulfill important criteria for achieving the Four B’s: Being, Belonging, Believing, and Benevolence.
When we have a good sense of Being, we feel grounded in a core identity despite our foibles and frailties. Belonging gives us the personal comfort of knowing we’re an integral part of something bigger. Believing in a set of higher principles and values, whether secular or religious, encourages ethical behavior. And, this sense of being, belonging, and believing inspire us to benevolent acts of generosity and kindness. In this way, carrying on traditions supports our best, most comfortable selves in an essential way.
Even if you don’t have an established tradition, finding a way to celebrate endings and beginnings empowers the transitional moment. What better time than right now to do something significant and personal to mark the new year? In addition to watching the ball fall on Times Square or fireworks around the globe, set aside some private time to be introspective and do a little ritual. You can use a variation of my family’s Solstice ceremony or design your own.
Steps for a New Year Ritual
Make a plan. A new year ritual can happen anytime from the Solstice to mid-January. Make sure you give yourself the privacy and time to be quiet and focus. If you have power objects, bring them along. For instance, I always have the Cairngorm pendant that my friend Dennie gave me around my neck.
Get present. Sitting quietly, get in touch with your surroundings. Feel the space, connect with your breath, and center in the moment.
Let it go. With each exhale release anything that you don’t want to bring into the new year. Stream-of-consciousness will dredge up plenty of material, just begin with the stuff that’s surfaced as a result of covid-19.
Be inspired. Once you’ve emptied the negatives, there’s space for the positive. On each inhale, breathe in all the things you’d like to come your way. No, not the Ferrari … things like equanimity, creativity, compassion, healing.
Seal the deal. When you’re finished, reach your hands up towards the sky. Then bring the energy down to your head, heart, belly, and the ground beneath. Sit with palms up until you feel complete.
As we approach 2021, it’s clear that we need each other. In my new year’s visualization, we’re all standing together- celebrating connection and renewal. And, together, we’re holding the planet in the healing Light.
Happy New Year to All!