01/01/2026
New Year’s Day 2026
The night of celebrations is over. The night of 2025 is over. Let the new day dawn. The night of fireworks and gunshots is behind us. The hours of sleeping with the cats is done, one terrified and hiding while the other curled up at my feet on the quilt my mother made. Was it loud? Yes! For some this way of celebrating is how they ring in the new year. For others sunrise is their thing, rising early to greet the sun of the first day of the new year. It is my tradition now, spending the quiet morning hours outside as the sun begins its daily climb. I love to get up early on the Solistes and Equinoxes as well, it is all about the sunrise, the golden morning light shining on the eastern side of the trees canopy. The change of colors on the horizon from dark to light, sometimes pale sometimes bright. Today the gibbons moon has already set, the stars are gone, however they are still there, the Seagoat, the Archer, the Scorpion, the Scales, the High Priestess are all hidden behind the pale blue sky.
Back to earth, the birdsong is mixed in with the occasional barking dog. Smoke hangs in the air with the light fog. Is it residual firework smoke or the smoke from a long ago extinguished firepit. It is cold, but I am warm, bundled up in my wool sweater, socks and hat. Fuzzy slippers adorning my feet as I pause to breathe in and out before taking a sip of my hot lemon honey water. The handle of my mug is cold, but the beverage is still steaming.
For me today is not about watching the sun rise in the east, it is the world waking up around me that I notice. But is this the New Year or just a new day? For some the New Year begins on the Capricorn Solstice for others in the world it is the upcoming Lunar New Year, the Year of the Fire Horse. Some cultures celebrate the new year at the Aries (Vernal) Equinox and for others the new year begins on the day of their birth. There are a lot of ways to celebrate something new. Try not to take each new day for granted, we never know how many sunrises we will have the opportunity to see.
Nature has always been a solace for me, a soothing balm, a place to re-charge my batteries. There is nothing like breathing in and breathing out the smells of the natural world, the scents of flowers and the trees hold memories. Just like the smell of the rain, the fire, and the animals, you are also a part of the natural world. You participate daily. We all spend time outside differently. It is a walk on the beach, swimming or just basking in the sun? Is it a walk by yourself or with a dog? Are you more active in the outdoors? Do you run, bike, hike or ski? Do you ever just sit watching the birds, the squirrels and butterflies? Do you witness the movements of wild animals? The elk, the moose or the deer crossing a mountain meadow or the flat lands? Have you watched a bear walk through your yard? Taking in their size and strength and wonder where are they going next?
So much life all around us and we need to remember we are connected to it all. For me 2026 is going to be a year of connecting more with nature. My connection has changed over the years, some years I am outside more then others. The past few years when I have been upset or stressed about life, I come home from work and just lie down on the grass, the earth, our mother, our home and stare at the sky. I watch the clouds, the trees, the birds and the sun moving across the sky to its final daily resting place in the west. Sunset is not just the end of one day it is the promise of a new day on the eastern horizon. When I have taken it all in, I am rested, rejuvenated and recharged, for Mother Earth, Gaia has revitalized me by sharing with me her beauty her joy, her creation. As you move through this 1st day of 2026 spend some time outside by yourself and then make your resolutions for the New Year.
Fun Fact of the Day.
As I was writing this Mike came outside to tell me that a tree sloth climbs down once a week to p**p and looses one third of its weight in p**p. If only it was that easy to lose weight. I can’t help but smile for Mother Nature is all around us, step outside and enjoy.
Happy New Year Everyone,
Lynne
